The Threshold (Poems)

Name: The Threshold (Poems)
SKU: 9780374607852
Availability: InStock

EGP1,110.00

A selection of luminous, fiercely intelligent verse from Egypt’s premier poet.
Iman Mersal is Egypt’s―indeed, the Arab world’s―great outsider poet. Over the past three decades, she has crafted a voice that is ferocious and tender, street-smart and vulnerable. Her early work captures the energies of Cairo’s legendary literary bohème, a home for “Lovers of cheap weed and awkward confessions / Anti-State agitators” and “People like me.” These are poems of wit and rage, freaked by moments of sudden beauty, like “the smell of guava” mysteriously wafting through the City of the Dead. Other poems bear witness to agonizing loss and erotic temptation, “the breath of two bodies that never had enough time / and so took pleasure in their mounting terror.” Mersal’s most recent work illuminates the trials of displacement and migration, as well as the risks of crossing boundaries, personal and political, in literature and in life.
The Threshold gathers poems from Mersal’s first four collections of poetry: A Dark Alley Suitable for Dance Lessons (1995), Walking as Long as Possible (1997), Alternative Geography (2006), and Until I Give Up the Idea of Home (2013). Taken together, these works chart a poetic itinerary from defiance and antagonism to the establishment of a new, self-created sensibility. At their center is the poet: indefatigably intelligent, funny, flawed, and impossible to pin down. As she writes, “I’m pretty sure / my self-exposures / are for me to hide behind.”

SKU: 9780374607852 Categories: Books, English Books, Literature &Fiction, Poetry

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The Threshold (Poems)

The Threshold (Poems) Book Description

The Threshold (Poems) brings together the most powerful verses of Iman Mersal, Egypt’s celebrated outsider poet. Available at Kalimat Bookstore Online, this English collection offers a vivid journey through Cairo’s bohemian nights, the pain of displacement, and the fierce joy of discovery. Readers will feel the pulse of the city, the scent of guava in the City of the Dead, and the quiet breath of two bodies caught in fleeting terror.

Iman Mersal’s voice has evolved over three decades, remaining both ferocious and tender. Her early poems capture the raw energy of Cairo’s literary bohème, where lovers of cheap weed and awkward confessions mingle with anti‑state agitators. Meanwhile, the poems reveal moments of sudden beauty, such as a mysterious guava fragrance that drifts through midnight streets.

Later verses explore loss, erotic temptation, and the harsh realities of migration. Additionally, Mersal examines personal and political borders, inviting readers to question what it means to belong. Therefore, the collection maps a poetic itinerary from defiance to a self‑crafted sensibility, making each page a step toward new awareness.

The anthology gathers works from four of Mersal’s earlier collections: A Dark Alley Suitable for Dance Lessons (1995), Walking as Long as Possible (1997), Alternative Geography (2006), and Until I Give Up the Idea of Home (2013). Consequently, the poems form a cohesive narrative that reflects the poet’s journey from rebellion to reconciliation.

Key Features of The Threshold (Poems)

Each poem shines with luminous intelligence and a fearless tone. Fans of contemporary Middle Eastern poetry will appreciate the blend of street‑smart wit and vulnerable honesty. Moreover, the collection offers vivid imagery that transports readers to bustling Cairo alleys and quiet desert horizons.

Readers can explore themes of love, exile, and identity without academic jargon. The language remains clear, inviting a broad audience to connect with the poet’s emotions. Additionally, the book includes a thoughtful progression that guides readers from early youthful defiance to mature reflection.

Why Read This Book?

Because Iman Mersal writes with a voice that is both fierce and tender, The Threshold (Poems) provides an unforgettable reading experience. Many readers find solace in the way she transforms personal pain into universal art, making each poem a mirror for their own struggles.

Furthermore, the collection serves as a cultural snapshot of modern Egypt and the wider Arab world. Meanwhile, it offers insights into the challenges of displacement and the courage required to cross invisible borders. Therefore, anyone seeking poetry that enlightens, challenges, and comforts will value this work.

About This Book

For more details about The Threshold (Poems) and its author, visit the Goodreads page. Also, explore the best English books online in our store through this link. Enjoy the rich tapestry of Mersal’s verses and let each poem expand your world.