Blogging from Egypt

Six years before the Egyptian revolution of January 2011, many young Egyptians had resorted to blogging as a means of self-expression and literary creativity. This resulted in the emergence of a new literary genre: the autofictional blog. Such blogs are explored here as forms of digital literature, combining literary analysis and interviews with the authors.
The blogs analysed give readers a glimpse into the daily lives, feelings and aspirations of the Egyptian youth who have pushed the country towards a cultural and political revolution. The narratives are also indicative of significant aesthetic and political developments taking place in Arabic literature and culture.

“"The book is an important addition to our understanding of the importance of Egyptian blogs: not only for their literary style, but for the role they played in the cultural environment between 2005 and 2016 and how they affect the lives of bloggers. The blogs that evolved during this time tackled social, political, personal, and religious issues, largely from the personal point of view of their writers." -- Tugrul Mende, ArabLit”

Blogging From Egypt offers a timely theoretical and methodological outlet to research Egyptian internet culture. Pepe moves smoothly between theories and methods from media studies, literary studies, sociolinguistics and anthropology, weaving together a rigorous account of a powerful, yet shortlived literary phenomenon.--Nermin Elsherif, University of Amsterdam "Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication 14 (2021)"
In the years that preceded and followed the 2011 revolution, the Egyptian blogosphere emerged as an ideal space for literary innovation. Blogging From Egypt offers an invaluable insight into this output, thus helping us understand the cultural roots of the revolution as well as its far-reaching impact, beyond political setbacks.-- "Richard Jacquemond, Professor of modern Arabic literature, Aix-Marseille Université"

Teresa Pepe is Associate Professor in Arabic Studies in Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages at the University of Oslo. Her research interests span across modern and contemporary Arabic literature, media studies and popular culture. She has published several articles in Oriente Moderno, Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies and LEA- Lingue e Letterature d'Oriente e d'Occidente.

Explores blogs as a new form of literature emerging in Egypt during the rise of political protests Six years before the Egyptian revolution of January 2011, many young Egyptians had resorted to blogging as a means of self-expression and literary creativity. This resulted in the emergence of a new literary genre: the autofictional blog. Such blogs are explored here as forms of digital literature, combining literary analysis and interviews with the authors. The blogs analysed give readers a glimpse into the daily lives, feelings and aspirations of the Egyptian youth who have pushed the country towards a cultural and political revolution. The narratives are also indicative of significant aesthetic and political developments taking place in Arabic literature and culture.'Key Features ? A pioneering study of Arabic digital literature ? Investigates blogs as the latest form of autobiographical writing in Arabic literature ? Sets out an innovative methodology for studying literary texts distributed on social media, opening new avenues for research ? Based on the study of forty blogs written from Egypt, six of which are analysed as detailed case studiesTeresa Pepe is Associate Professor in Arabic Studies in the Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages at the University of Oslo.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.