
Part anthology & part travelogue, Translating Libya presents the country through the eyes of sixteen Libyan short story writers & one American diplomat. Intrigued by the apparent absence of 'place' in modern Libyan short fiction, Ethan Chorin resolved to track down & translate stories that specifically mention cities & landmarks in Libya. The stories trace the influence of the ancient Romans, the later Italian occupation & the current influx of foreign workers from Africa & further afield. The authors open a window on today's Libya
- a rapidly urbanizing country with rich oil reserves, recently renewed diplomatic relations with the West & a nascent tourist industry based on its well-preserved ancient cities. This is a unique introduction to a country that has for some time been 'off the beaten path'.