Modern Arabic literature remains little known and poorly understood despite growing curiosity among European readers. This brief introduction offers a unique overview, focusing on developments over the last fifty years. It provides a guide to the literary landscape, indicating the major landmarks in the shape of authors, ideas and debates. The picture that emerges shows that the literature of the modern Arab world,Europe's closest neighbour, is not so far from us as we are sometimes encouraged to think. A timely contribution to the dialogue between East and West, bringing modern Arabic litera.Abstract: Modern Arabic literature remains little known and poorly understood despite growing curiosity among European readers. This title shows that the literature of the modern Arab world, Europe's closestneighbour, is not so far from us as we are sometimes encouraged to think.