DUBAI: Saudi novelist Ashraf Fagih was a guest speaker at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature earlier this month. Speaking to Arab News in Dubai, Fagih expressed his excitement at attending an event that offered “a great opportunity to meet names from both ends: creators and consumers of literature products.”
He continued: “Both are essential for the existence of this wonderful concept we are celebrating here, literature; this beautiful human ability to express life and the meanings embedded in it.”
Fagih was one of the first writers in the Gulf region to venture into science fiction. He writes short stories and historical novels and is well-known for his thought-provoking narratives.
“A Porrtrait of the Void” is by Ashraf Fagih. (Supplied)
“I believe we are going through a time where sci-fi is the most realistic genre to express our basic thoughts and deepest doubts,” he said. “What is the benefit of being human under the reign of AI? What is the definition of home for one born in a colony on Mars? What is time for an interstellar space traveler?”
As for his interest in history, Fagih explained, “Every tale, no matter how old or how well-known, has more than one version and is related to a million others. I love discovering new twists and resurrecting unknown characters from the shades. The joy of reintroducing a hero from the background is unmatchable.”
Fagih published his first short story collection at the age of 20.
“Over 20 Lives” is by Ashraf Fagih. (Supplied)
“At that young age, I was aspiring to become like my role-models: Amin Maalouf, Abdulrahman Munif, and Isaac Asimov. I’m happy to say that I am still aspiring and looking forward to writing fine literature,” he said.
“Back then, publishing and reaching out to the world was not as easy,” Fagih continued. “You had to have a veteran guardian to bestow his or her blessing on you to be accepted in the literary world. Now, with the internet and social media, everyone has a shot at fame and (building a following). Today, it is a question of quality that challenges the scene.”
What fuels Fagih nowadays is the urge to surprise his readers with something new.
“It is the ‘Aha!’ moment in the reader’s mind I seek,” he said.
