Darih Abi by Tariq Imam: Dystopia and Fantasy-Folklore

"Darih Abi" by the Egyptian novelist Tariq Imam is analysed in this contribution against the critical backdrop of recent literary study on dystopic narrative. In particular, I highlight Imam's use of the Sufi tradition and Hagiography. A synopsis of the literary tropes included in the novel, such as khulud (The Eternal Life) al-hulm (The Dream) and al-makhtut (the manuscript, i.e. the Individual destiny) explores the novel in its allgorical dimension. I conclude by proposing for this allegorical novel the definition of "dystopic fantasy-folklore"i.e. a Literary form in which the imaginary of popular devotion is recovered in a dystopic perspective.