Israeli-Palestinian life explored in Saqi essay collection

Saqi Books has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to a selection of personal essays entitled Native: Dispatches from an Israeli-Palestinian Life by Israeli-Palestinian writer Sayed Kashua.

Native gathers together for the first time a selection of essays written by Kashua between 2006 and 2014, exploring questions of identity, cultural divides and the deeply-rooted complexities of a tragic conflict, alongside "witty and intimate" depictions from his personal life as both a father and husband.

Sarah Cleave, publishing manager of Saqi Books, acquired rights from Abner Stein in association with the Deborah Harris Agency.

Cleave said: "Native is a wickedly sardonic, moving and hugely entertaining collection that offers real insight into the lived experiences of Palestinians in Israel. Written by one of the true masters of the form, this ostensibly light-hearted book is a nuanced and enlightening critique of Israeli society that exposes the difficulties of living as a Palestinian in the Jewish state."

Kashua's novel Dancing Arabs (Grove Press) was published in 2004 and Let it be Morning (Atlantic) was published in 2007 and shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

The title will be released in April 2016.