Ricerc@Sapienza

Contemporary writers are used to exploring the “quest for eternal life” theme, al-khulud (immortality), by resorting to the elixir vitae as well as to hibernation and reincarnation, for instance, in order to express the neverending human struggle for overcoming the limits imposed by time. This quest permeates many novels which are pivotal for the emergence of science fiction in Arabic literature. In fact, it is now possible for scholars to underline the existence of a particular type of novel within the science fiction’s genre, i.e.

World War I has often been the privileged setting for the artistic experience of many intellectuals, who tried to give their personal response to such an event that influenced the future of their society. Arab writers also offered a glimpse into an historical event whose effects were felt well beyond the confines of the “Western World”. The experience of Lebanese writer Tawfīq Yūsuf ‘Awwād (1911-1989) flourishes in this literary milieu.