Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Hakawati
Literary Fiction· Lebanon

The Hakawati

by Rabih Alameddine
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2008English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

When Rabih Alameddine published The Hakawati in 2008, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. A vibrant tapestry of stories, 'The Hakawati' weaves together the art of storytelling with the history and culture of the Middle East. It follows the journey of Osama al-Kharrat, who returns to Beirut to be with his dying father, and through his narrative, Alameddine explores themes of family, tradition, and the power of myth. The novel is acclaimed for its imaginative storytelling and its celebration of Arab culture. Themes of storytelling, family, tradition run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorRabih Alameddine
Published2008
Country of Origin🇱🇧 Lebanon
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN978-0307386275
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇱🇧 Lebanon

This book is part of Lebanon's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Lebanon →

Editorial Assessment

Rabih Alameddine published The Hakawati in 2008, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Lebanon. The book's treatment of storytelling, family, tradition, myth accounts for much of its enduring reputation. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Hakawati lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of storytelling, family, tradition, myth is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Lebanon's literary landscape, Rabih Alameddine occupies a significant position. The Hakawati is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20080
✍️
About the Author
Rabih Alameddine
Lebanon
View Author →

Rabih Alameddine is a Lebanon author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Employees
The Management Companion
Happy Employees
What Evolution Tells You About Leading People
Lead with human nature, and your team won’t just perform — they’ll thrive.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Hakawati about?

A vibrant tapestry of stories, 'The Hakawati' weaves together the art of storytelling with the history and culture of the Middle East. It follows the journey of Osama al-Kharrat, who returns to Beirut to be with his dying father, and through his narrative, Alameddine explores themes of family, tradition, and the power of myth. The novel is acclaimed for its imaginative storytelling and its celebration of Arab culture.

Who wrote The Hakawati?

The Hakawati was written by Rabih Alameddine, from Lebanon. First published in 2008.

What awards has The Hakawati won?

The Hakawati has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Hakawati worth reading?

The Hakawati is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in storytelling, family, tradition.

Where can I buy The Hakawati?

You can buy The Hakawati on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Hakawati?

The Hakawati is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Hakawati from?

The Hakawati originates from Lebanon's literary tradition. Explore more books from Lebanon on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇱🇧Books from Lebanon🇱🇧 Lebanon literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time