Our guest this episode is Malu Halasa, a prolific and passionate observer of the Middle East through the lens of art and culture.  Our conversation explores how she provides readers with a unique window into the changing mores of the region, having written and edited over 8 anthologies, and several novels and short stories of her own. 

Born in Oklahoma, to Jordanian and Filipino parents, raised in Ohio, a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, Malu now lives in London, where she is currently a Literary Editor at The Markaz Review.

As a journalist, Malu’s contributions include music journalism for Rolling Stone, and writing for Huffington Post, and The Guardian. 

Anthologies she has edited include: 

·      “Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline”, 

·      “Culture in Defiance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and the Struggle for Freedom in Syria”,

·      “Transit Tehran: Young Iran and Its Inspirations”

·      “The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design”, 

·      “Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran”, 

·       And a new book coming out in January called “Sumud:  A New Palestinian Reader” 

Her debut novel “Mother of all Pigs” is an epic Jordanian family saga chronicling the comedy and pathos of the patriarchy in decline. 

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