The Game of Remembering: A Study of Narrative Strategies and the Postmodern Theme in Muḥammad Barrādaʹs Novel Mithl Ṣayf Lan Yatakarrar: Maḥkiyyāt

Postmodernism in art has been described as depthless and lacking in agency. This has implications for the Arabic novel, which is characterised by socio-political intent. In this paper I explore themes and narrative strategies associated with postmodernism in Muammad Barrādaʹs novel, Mithl ayf Lan Yatakarrar: Makiyyāt. I interrogate the possibility of a ‘postmodern Arabic novel’ and explore some of the criticisms levelled at postmodernism in art. I argue that, if postmodernism is approached as a type of discourse, we can begin to use it productively in an Arab context. Barrādaʹs novel then becomes an example of postmodern fiction with depth and purpose.