Arabic Professor Paula Haydar Publishes Translation of Jabbour Douaihy’s ‘Poison in the Air’

The translation of Jabbour Douaihy’s final novel, Poison in the Air (Interlink, 2024), by Paula Haydar, associate professor of Arabic at the U of A, has been released. This poignant exploration of Lebanon’s tumultuous history serves as a timely reflection on the social, political and economic upheavals leading up to the tragic events at the Port of Beirut in 2020. 

The late Douaihy, one of Lebanon’s esteemed writers, offers a gripping first-person narrative through an unnamed male protagonist, echoing the nation’s historical journey. Poison in the Air paints a haunting picture of a society on the brink of self-destruction, grappling with the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut. The novel serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of isolation and polarization, urging readers to break free from self-contained bubbles and reconnect with the world. 

In her translation, Haydar reflects on the challenging process of capturing Douaihy’s style and conveying the novel’s unfamiliar cultural and historical references. She describes the experience as painful, attributing the pain not only to the author’s death but also to the stark honesty with which Douaihy confronts Lebanon’s scars and imperfections. 

Haydar emphasizes Douaihy’s focus on Lebanon’s struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which adds a layer of relevance to the narrative. The brutal honesty in Poison in the Air offers a stark reflection on the extended period of isolation and alienation, paralleling the challenges faced by societies globally during the pandemic. 

In a recent interview, Douaihy predicted that the pandemic would become a significant part of literary imagination, much like wars and plagues in history. Poison in the Air positions Douaihy as one of the first contributors to this literary landscape, providing readers with a raw and immediate portrayal of life during the pandemic. 

The translation marks Haydar’s sixth collaboration with Douaihy, for which she has received several honors. Two of her translations — The King of India (Interlink 2022) and Firefly (Seagull 2022), with co-translator Dr. Nadine Sinno — were shortlisted for the prestigious Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation in 2023, and in 2014, she was awarded the Highly Commended Runner-Up of the same prize for June Rain (Bloomsbury Qatar 2014; Interlink 2019). The announcement of this year’s shortlist was made by the Banipal Trust for Arab Literature on Dec. 1, 2023, with the winner, Luke Leafgren, being declared on Jan. 9. 

The Society of Authors will host an award ceremony at the British Library on Feb. 7 and an additional event on Feb. 8 celebrating literary translation. The award ceremony will honor the finalists and winners of its eight translation prizes, including the Bernard Shaw Prize and the Goethe Institut Award.

Haydar’s continued contributions to the translation of Douaihy’s works not only showcase her linguistic prowess but also underscore the significance of bringing Arabic literature to a wider, global audience. The translation of Poison in the Air stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding.

Find out more about the Society of Authors Translation Prizes and how to view the Banipal Award Celebration online on Feb. 8.

Get more information about the SOA Prize Ceremony or register for its livestream. 

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.