What happens when reality becomes surreal? How do we draw the line between fiction and nonfiction? In this episode of Backlit, Egyptian novelist and poet Mohamed Kheir joins me in exploring surreal situations, inspired by the English translation of Sleep Phase. Blending past, present, and future in scenes that evoke the chaotic beauty of a changing city, Mohamed’s work examines how monumental shifts influence our understanding of ourselves and our world.

Topics discussed:

• Surrealism and artistic influences
• Inspiration from history and culture of Cairo
• Challenges in literary translation
• Drawing a line between fiction and nonfiction
• Deconstruction and reconstruction in urban landscapes
• Navigating mass media in an age of misinformation and fake news
• Inspiration from observing your surroundings

Links:

• Episode webpage with transcript
• Purchase Sleep Phase by Mohamed Kheir
• Purchase Slipping by Mohamed Kheir