Jokha Alharthi is a highly acclaimed literary fiction author from Oman, who has made history as the first Arab author to win the prestigious International Booker Prize. Alharthi, who was born in July 1978, is a respected writer and academic, who has made significant contributions to the literary world.
Alharthi's educational background is impressive, with her receiving her education in Oman and the United Kingdom. She obtained her PhD in classical Arabic literature from Edinburgh University, which has provided her with a strong foundation in Arabic literature. Currently, Alharthi holds the position of an associate professor in the Arabic department at Sultan Qaboos University, where she continues to inspire and educate students.
Alharthi has published several works, including three collections of short stories and three novels - Manamat, Sayyidat el-Qamar and Narinjah. Her work has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Serbian, Korean, Italian, and German, and has been featured in Banipal magazine. She has also participated in the 2011 IPAF Nadwa (writers' workshop), where she had the opportunity to work with other talented writers.
Alharthi's work has received significant recognition and accolades. She won the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature for her novel Narinjah (Bitter Orange) in 2016. Her novel Sayyidat el-Qamar was shortlisted for the Zayed Award in 2011 and was translated into English by Marilyn Booth. It was published in the UK by Sandstone Press in June 2018 under the title Celestial Bodies, and won the Man Booker International Prize 2019. These achievements are a testament to Alharthi's talent and dedication to her craft.