Yusuf Idris


Idris, Yusuf

 

Born May 19, 1927. Egyptian writer and playwright.

Idris graduated from the department of medicine of the University of Cairo in 1952. He began to appear in print in 1950. Idris’ works are notable for the vividness of the sketches, the sharpness of the dramatic conflicts, the subtle humor, and the deep—at times, tragic—seriousness. He built his reputation on short stories (the collections The Cheapest Nights, 1954; The Republic of Farhat, 1955; Is It Not So?, 1957; A Matter of Honor, 1958; and World’s End, 1961), novellas (Sin, 1959, Russian translation, 1962; Black Soldier, 1962; Men and Bulls, 1964; and White, 1970), and plays (King of Cotton, 1957; Earthly Comedy, 1966; and Third Family, 1970). His heroes are fellahin, workers, street vendors, representatives of the petite bourgeoisie, and intellectuals. A. P. Chekhov was a major influence on Idris. Modernist tendencies appear in his recent works (for example, the collection of stories Siren, 1969).

WORKS

Al-Lahza al-Kharija. Cairo, 1958.
Lughat-al-ai-ai. Cairo, 1964.
Al-Farafiru. Cairo, 1964.
In Russian translation:
Chetvertyi patsient. Moscow, 1960.
In the collection Egipetskie novelty. Moscow, 1956.
In the collection Sovremennaia arabskaia novella. Moscow, 1963.

REFERENCES

Kirpichenko, V. N. “Chekhovskoe zvuchanie rannikh raskazov Iu. Idrisa.” In the collection Literatura Vostoka. Moscow, 1969.
Sovremennaia arabskaia literatura: Sb. statei. Moscow, 1960. (Translated from Arabic.)

V. E. SHAGAL’