Haitham Hussein talks to Suzi Feay

Ramina Books publisher Haitham Hussein, a novelist and critic, discusses the rich tradition of Arab literature, particularly in the genres of poetry and the short story, and explains how contemporary writers continue to innovate while responding to that tradition.

Saudi Arabian literary imprint Ramina Books was set up to introduce to readers in English the dazzling diversity of creative writing from the Gulf. Come and discover a literary culture that revels in transformation, pathos, passion and surreal playfulness.

Hussein is general director of Ramina Books and a Syrian-Kurdish novelist, literary critic and journalist. His novels include Hostages of Memory,  Needle of Horror and A Weed in Paradise. He is a founder of the Al-Riwaya.net website, which focuses on the Arabic novel and literary criticism. Here he talks to reviewer for the FT Suzi Feay.