Saqi lands Malika Moustadraf’s 'visceral' short story collection

Saqi Books is to publish cult author Malika Moustadraf’s "visceral" short story collection Something Strange, Like Hunger, the first English-language publication of her work, translated by Alice Guthrie.

Saqi commissioning editor Elizabeth Briggs acquired UK and Commonwealth English language rights from Lauren Hook at the Feminist Press. The collection will be published simultaneously by Saqi Books and the Feminist Press on 8th February 2022.

Moustadraf (1969–2006) was a writer from Casablanca, Morocco, celebrated for her distinctive style, experimental language, and for her unflinching descriptions of life on the margins. Moustadraf, who died at 37 of kidney disease, was persecuted throughout her career for her taboo-busting subject matter and feminism.T he author broke new ground by tackling key social issues including sexual abuse, patriarchal power, class inequality, double standards around sexual desire, harassment, chronic illness, mental health and more.

The stories specifically highlight people living on the edge of society from a single mother battling with suicidal thoughts, to the first known story published in Arabic to feature an intersex protagonist.

Guthrie is an independent translator, editor, and curator specialising in contemporary Arabic writing. She programmed the literary strand of London’s Arab arts biennale Shubbak Festival 2015-2019, has curated queer Arab arts events for Edinburgh International Book Fair, Outburst International Queer Arts Festival and Arts Canteen, and teaches translation at the University of Exeter and the University of Birmingham. 

She said of the collection: "Moustadraf takes us right into the heart of urban Casablanca life, in all its vivid complexity. This playful, raging and elegant volume is a precious snapshot of a gifted maverick writer in her ascendancy — had her life not been tragically cut short, Moustadraf would undoubtedly be a major presence in global literature by now."

Briggs added: "Moustadraf was a Moroccan woman working under difficult conditions. Her writing is visceral, unexpected and exact; her gaze, sharp and thorough. Guthrie’s flawless translation pays respect to a cult feminist writer which should be on every British reader’s bookshelf. It’s an honour to share and celebrate her work today."