Classical Poems by Arab Women

An Anthology

Arab women poets have been around since the earliest of times, yet their diwans (collected poems) were kept in the shadows.

Spanning more than 5000 years, from the pre-Islamic to the Andalusian periods, Classical Poems by Arab Women presents rarely seen work by over sixty women writers who boldly refused to be silenced. From  sorrowful eulogies to gleeful scorn, this collection offers a rich excursion into the vibrant, exclusively female worlds of pleasure, passion and pain, suppressed for centuries by religious and political bigotry.

With poems in both English and Arabic, this bespoke gift edition celebrates feminine wit and desire, and pays homage to the significant contribution women have made to Arabic literary tradition.

This is some of the most beautiful poetry in the world ... Timeless.' Tracey Emin

'The range of female poets from radically different eras is extraordinary, as is how fearlessly they speak about their desires' Mona Eltahawy

'A unique anthology that transcends love and liberation' Moris Farhi

'An outspoken and controversial book that provides many moments for both enjoyment and reflection.' Denys Johnston-Davies

'The very process of anthologizing the names of so many unfamiliar poets has provided a useful historical survey.' Roger Allen