The Hakawati ("storyteller" in Arabic) is a novel written by Rabih Alameddine and published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2008. The novel explores Lebanese families and cultures, and was well received by critics.[1][2][3]

Plot summary

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Set in 2003, a young man travels from Los Angeles, California to his father's death-bed in Beirut, Lebanon. He and relatives share contemporary stories and parables during the vigil.[4]

Characters

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  • Afreet Jehanam
  • Baybars
  • Elie
  • Farid al-Kharrat
  • Fatima
  • Ismail
  • Lina
  • Mariella
  • Osama al-Kharrat
  • Othman
  • Uncle Jihad

References

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  1. Jarrar, Randa. "Rabih Alameddine's "The Hakawati" - Words Without Borders". Words Without Borders. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  2. "The Pull of the 'Hakawati'". NPR.org. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  3. "The Hakawati, by Rabih Alameddine". The Independent. June 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  4. Adams, Lorraine (May 18, 2008). "The Hakawati - Rabih Alameddine - Book Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2016.