Literature

Infused with the literary spirit of both ancient civilizations and colonial France, Lebanese literature is a reflection on the history, culture, society and politics of the country and the region. Lebanon’s literature consists of a collection of works, including novels, biographies, poems, essays, short stories, children’s stories, and narratives.

Among the jewels of Lebanese literature is the late essayist, novelist, poet, and painter Gebran Khalil Gebran (‘The Prophet’) whose inspirational and profound works have enchanted people across generations the world over, writer and women’s rights activist Emily Nasrallah (‘Fight against Time’), and author and poet Mikhail Naimy (‘Book of Mirdad).

Contemporary authors include feminist writer Hanan El Sheikh (‘The Story of Zahra’), novelist and essayist Alexandre Najjar (Phoenicia), novelist Amine Maalouf (‘The Rock of Tanios’, ‘Samarkand’), and critic and novelist Elias Khoury (‘Gate of the Sun’).