"A poet of world status."—Adrienne Rich
"Darwish, beloved as the beacon-voice of Palestinians scattered around the globe, had an uncanny ability to create unforgettable, richly descriptive poems, songs of homesick longing which resonate with displaced people everywhere."—Naomi Shihab Nye
". . . this great figure whose poetry, which reflects nostalgia and liberty, speaks to us all."—Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister
"His work has made a home for itself in more than twenty-two languages, the bulk of it in some twenty books in French, which are bestsellers."—The Nation
Description
Mahmoud Darwish (1942–2008), recipient of France’s Knight of Arts and Belles Lettres medal, the Lotus Prize, and the Lannan Foundation Prize for Cultural Freedom, is widely considered Palestine’s most eminent poet. State of Siege was written while the poet himself was under siege in Ramallah during the Israeli invasion of 2002. An eloquent and impassioned response to political extremity, the collection was published to great acclaim in the Arab world. Munir Akash’s translation, including an introduction exploring the rich mythology of these poems, presents the first book-length, bilingual edition of State of Siege to an English audience.
About the Author
Mahmoud Darwish has published more than thirty books of poetry and prose. He is the recipient of many international literary awards and his work has been translated into more than twenty-two languages.
Munir Akash is the editor and founder of Jusoor Books. He is the author, editor, or translator of eleven books in English and Arabic, including The Right to Sacrifice the Other and The Talmud According to Uncle Sam. Currently he is a visiting professor of Humanities and Modern Languages and director of the Arabic Program at Suffolk University.
Daniel Abdal-hayy Moore is the author of over twenty books of poetry and prose. His poems have appeared in numerous publications, including Zyzzva, the City Lights Review, and the Nation.
