Modern classics by Cankar Publishing Richer for the novel by Taha Hussein

Cankarjeva založba has expanded its collection of modern classics with the addition of Dnevi Tahe Huseina, a novel by the Egyptian writer Tahe Husein. The book was published as part of the založba's ongoing series titled Moderni klasiki. Alongside this new release, the publisher also introduced translations of Problem Treh Teles by Liu Cixin and Teorija King Kong by Virginie Despentes. Additionally, two romantic novels were added to the Razmerja series, which focuses on love stories written during writing workshops. The publication of Dnevi Tahe Huseina marks a significant milestone for Cankarjeva založba, as it brings into focus the life and experiences of Tahe Husein, an influential figure in Egyptian literature. The novel consists of three volumes, each detailing different phases of his life. The first volume covers his childhood in Upper Egypt, marked by early blindness and attendance at a traditional Koranic school. The second volume centers on his education at the Islamic University of Al Azhar in Cairo, his intellectual maturation, and critique of the rigid educational system. The third volume explores his life and studies in France, his first love, and return to Egypt, which was undergoing significant social and political changes at the time. Problem Treh Teles, the first novel in Liu Cixin’s trilogy Sled Zemljine Preteklosti, presents an imagined past, present, and future where Earth encounters an extraterrestrial civilization. Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution in 1967, the story follows a character named Vendžje who witnesses her father being brutally beaten to death by Red Guards. While the narrative touches on interstellar contact, it primarily focuses on humanity’s struggle to cope with new realities. According to editor Sašo Puljarević, the novel explores how humans deal with new truths and challenges. The translation into Slovenian was done by Natalija Toplinšek Jejčič, and Netflix has adapted the book into a television series. The second installment, Temni Gozd, is scheduled for release next year, followed by Konec Smrti the following year, according to Cankarjeva založba. Teorija King Kong, a compilation of seven essays by French author Virginie Despentes, offers a sharp social critique grounded in feminist ideals. The work addresses themes such as gender roles, sexual violence, prostitution, masculinity, and pornography. Puljarević noted that despite being 20 years old since its French publication, the text remains highly relevant today. Translator Jedrt Maležič remarked that Despentes wrote a feminist manifesto for the new millennium without explicitly labeling it as such. She emphasized that the author does not shy away from difficult questions regarding sexuality, binary identities, and sexual violence. The Razmerja series received two new additions, Srčna Frekvenca and Abeceda Ljubezni, both written based on writing workshops focused on romantic fiction. These works were curated by Lara Paukovič, who highlighted their thematic similarities. Both novels center around female protagonists returning to smaller hometowns after extended absences, either abroad or in larger cities. They explore the rekindling of family and intimate relationships while questioning identity, belonging, and self-perception. In Srčna Frekvenca, the protagonist, Neja, is deeply engaged with her work as a radio journalist. Abeceda Ljubezni features a dynamic triangular relationship involving the main character, Vesna, and two childhood friends. Paukovič pointed out that the author, Bregar, presented the narrative from a female perspective rather than a male one, making Abeceda Ljubezni the first novel in the series to explore love beyond heterosexual relationships. In addition to these new releases, Cankarjeva založba also published an autobiographical novel, Dnevi, which originally appeared in three volumes between 1926 and 1967. The first volume describes Husein’s childhood in rural Upper Egypt, characterized by early blindness and visits to a traditional Koranic school. The second volume focuses on his education at the Islamic University of Al Azhar in Cairo, his intellectual growth, and criticism of the outdated educational system. The third volume details his life and studies in France, his first love, and return to Egypt, which was on the brink of major social and political transformations. The book is more than just a tale of growing up in early 20th-century Egypt, it vividly portrays the cultural, social, and political landscape of that era through sensory impressions of a person who has been blind since childhood.