Dictionary of Literary Biography—Arabic Literary Culture, 500-925

Scholars based mostly in the US, but also Europe, Australia, and even Egypt in one case, profile 37 writers in Arabic who were active during the century before Muhammad the Prophet and the first four centuries of Islam. The entries include full primary and selected secondary bibliographies, a biographical sketch, and an analysis of the writings and their place in literature and history. Scholarly knowledge of ancient Arabic folklore is based on the collections of poetry and stories made only in the seventh and eighth centuries AD. Some of the forms such as the rhymed prose saj' and themes especially drinking and carousing fell into disrepute after the advent of Islam in 610. The Arabic language spread with Islam over the centuries, so that literary traditions in many cultures came to be expressed in Arabic, enriching its store of genres and themes. A glossary without pronunciation, and a cumulative index to the series are included. Annotation c2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)