Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, Jonathan Smolin, discusses his book "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser," which examines the life and work of Ihsan Abdel Quddous who played an immense role in shaping 20th-century Arab culture as a prolific writer, journalist, and political commentator. Smolin details Quddous' life, including his upbringing, the complex relationship with his mother – who was none other than Rose al Yusuf – and his significant influence in Egyptian and Arab society. The conversation also covers Quddous' involvement in the 1952 coup in Egypt, his views on pan-Arabism, his support for women’s liberation, and his mixed legacy, including the controversies and scandals he navigated.
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Who Was Ihsan Abdel Quddous?
00:57 Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Impact on Arab Culture
04:45 Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Family Background
09:29 Literary Tradition and Writing Style
16:56 Political Involvement and Scandals
29:40 Reflections on Naivety and Regret
32:24 His Arrest and Disillusionment
37:48 The March Crisis and Censorship
41:03 Nasser's Unique Brand of Authoritarianism
44:56 Debates on Women's Rights
53:12 Support for Arab Nationalism
56:13 Exploring Themes of Sex and Romance in Fiction
Jonathan Smolin is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, where he also serves as Acting Chair of the Middle Eastern Studies Program and is an affiliate of Jewish Studies. Since joining Dartmouth in 2005, his teaching has focused on the politics and popular cultures of the modern Middle East, with a classroom approach grounded in open dialogue and critical engagement across diverse sources and perspectives. His research explores the intersections of politics, literature, and media in the Arab world. He is the author of "Moroccan Noir: Police, Crime, and Politics in Popular Culture" (Indiana University Press, 2013) and "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser" (Stanford University Press, 2024).
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