Portobello signs 'blast of literary freshness' Maarouf

Portobello Books has signed Jokes for the Gunmen from Palestinian-Icelandic writer, poet, translator and journalist Mazen Maarouf.

Editorial director Max Porter acquired World English rights from The Susijn Agency Ltd.

According to Porter, the title is made up of "weird, uncanny, funny and heart-breaking tales" often told from the "bemused but insightful perspective" of a child.

“This is a blast of literary freshness and a totally thrilling new voice from the Arab World", said Porter. "We haven’t come across anything like this before and Mazen will be a wonderful addition to the Portobello list. Jonathan Wright’s translation is excellent and we can’t wait to share these hugely distinctive stories with readers.”

Jokes for Gunmen was originally published by Ed. Riad El Rayyes and has been sold to Gyldendal Norsk in Norway, Editions Flammarion in France, Forlagid in Iceland, Modernista in Sweden, Cumartesi Kitapligi in Turkey, Alianza Editorial in Spain and in Latin America.

Portobello Books will publish the book in January 2019, with a cover designed by Tom Darracott at More and More Studios.