The Novel “Judgment Day” Is a Love Story Wrapped in Religious Extremism

Recently published in translation in both French and English, the 2002 Lebanese novel tells a tale of the disastrous consequences of mingling politics and religion that remains relevant today.

by Louise Gallorini

When considering the Middle East, which is increasingly torn apart by wars and upheavals, one can be forgiven for putting literature on the back burner. This would, however, be a mistake. Arabic literature has a crucially important role to play in a landscape complicated by politics and social upheaval.

In these times of great uncertai…