A Mask, the Colour of the Sky
| Author | Basem Khandakji |
|---|---|
| Language | Arabic |
Publication date | 2023 |
| Publication place | Palestine |
A Mask, the Colour of the Sky (قناع بلون السماء) is a novel by the Palestinian writer, poet, and prisoner Basem Khandakji, is a book published in 2023 by published Dar Al-Adab in Beirut. The novel won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2024, called the Arabic Booker Prize.[1][2]
The English translation of the novel will be published in 2026 by Europa Editions.[3][4]
Background
The book was written during confinement in Israeli prison. Israeli prison authorities denied all knowledge of the book.[5]
Khandakji's brother said the novel was written between June and November 2021 "in difficult circumstances".[6]
Synopsis
The book centres on a Palestinian named Nur who lives in a refugee camp in Ramallah. Finding the blue identity card given to Israelis in a secondhand coat, he assumes a fake name, Ur, and is hired for an archaeological dig near Megiddo.[4]
Reactions
The novel won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2024 in a unanimous decision.[5] The prize is widely considered the Arab world's most prestigious.[7]
On the night the book won 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, the author was beaten by Israeli guards in his cell, then placed in solitary confinement in Ofer Prison.[8]
References
- ^ "A Mask, the Colour of the Sky | International Prize for Arabic Fiction". arabicfiction.org. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ ""A Mask, the Color of the Sky" by Palestinian detainee Bassem Khandakji wins International Prize for Arabic Fiction". 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Europa to Publish Arabic Fiction Prize Winner". Publishers Weekly. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ a b "A Mask the Color of the Sky - Bassem Khandaqji". Europa Editions. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ a b Adel, Ibrahim (30 April 2024). "Basim Khandaqji wins top Arabic literary award from behind prison bars". Al Majalla. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Two Palestinian Novels Make 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction's 6-Book Shortlist". ARABLIT & ARABLIT QUARTERLY. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Sheehan, Dan (28 February 2024). "An imprisoned Palestinian author has been shortlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction". Literary Hub. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Award-winning Palestinian author on Israeli prison, exile and homeland". Al Jazeera. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.