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Cover of The Italian
Historical Fiction· Tunisia

The Italian

by Shukri Mabkhout
Aggregate Editorial Score53/100
★Booker Prize
Published 2014Arabic
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About This Book

Published in 2014, The Italian established Shukri Mabkhout as one of the defining voices in historical fiction. This novel follows the life of a young Tunisian man during the tumultuous political landscape of the late 20th century. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and political activism against the backdrop of Tunisia's changing society. Shukri Mabkhout's work is celebrated for its intricate plot and its deep dive into the personal and political struggles of its characters. Themes of political activism, love, betrayal run through the work. The book has received recognition from International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2015.

Book Details

AuthorShukri Mabkhout
Published2014
Country of Origin🇹🇳 Tunisia
LanguageArabic
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9786144258912
Editorial Score53/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇹🇳 Tunisia

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

Explore books from Tunisia →

Editorial Assessment

Shukri Mabkhout published The Italian in 2014, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from Tunisia. The book's treatment of political activism, love, betrayal, identity accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2015. Its aggregate editorial score of 53/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Italian is how it handles its central concerns — political activism, love, betrayal, identity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within Tunisia's literary landscape, Shukri Mabkhout occupies a significant position. The Italian 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

Booker Prize
winner · regional
20150
✍️
About the Author
Shukri Mabkhout
Tunisia
View Author →

Shukri Mabkhout is a Tunisia author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Italian about?

This novel follows the life of a young Tunisian man during the tumultuous political landscape of the late 20th century. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and political activism against the backdrop of Tunisia's changing society. Shukri Mabkhout's work is celebrated for its intricate plot and its deep dive into the personal and political struggles of its characters.

Who wrote The Italian?

The Italian was written by Shukri Mabkhout, from Tunisia. First published in 2014.

What awards has The Italian won?

The Italian has received the following recognition: International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2015.

Is The Italian worth reading?

The Italian is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 53/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in political activism, love, betrayal.

Where can I buy The Italian?

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

What category is The Italian?

The Italian is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Italian from?

The Italian originates from Tunisia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Tunisia on our country page.

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