Bari: Sudan’s Song

Bari: Sudan’s Song is an exceptional literary work that blends traditional historical narrative with a complex mix of reality and fiction. As the author has noted, only five percent of the novel is based on true historical events, while the remaining is mere fictional storytelling. This unique approach positions the novel among literary works that use history as a foundation to explore deeper ideas. Although it may not have received sufficient critical or media attention, this work is a compelling invitation to explore a forgotten historical era and reflect on human and civilizational issues that continue to resonate in our contemporary reality.

The novel opens with what seems like an ordinary hunting trip but quickly evolves into a tale about the fate of a nation. It follows Sultan Sudan Al-Mawri, the sultan of Bari, an Islmic emirate in Italy, and a Christian girl in a love affair that challenges the limitations of their two different worlds. This emotional relationship is not merely a subplot, but it serves as the central axis around which human conflicts intensify, illuminating the diverse and richly detailed characters created by the author. Issa excels at navigating the landscapes of Bari and Naples, painting a vivid picture of two neighboring and warring worlds—Muslim and Christian—and depicting fierce wars that claim many lives. The novel's structure is not linear but rather a narrative mosaic that unfolds gradually, revealing the secrets of the past with skill. This approach captivates the readers and immerses them in a beautiful dilemma while exploring this often-overlooked history. 

Issa demonstrates remarkable literary ability in his use of language and style. He employs a sincere and captivating language that is void of any exaggeration. This kind of language is not only a means of narrating events but also as a crucial element in constructing the novel's world, element in constructing the novel's world, lending it an aura of greatness and majesty. The author's commitment is evident in his ability to bring the atmosphere of the era to life through precise descriptions of various scenes, whether they are battles or intimate moments. 

Bari: Sudan’s Song is a significant addition to the Arabic novel, particularly with its focus on history. Similar to novelists like Amin Maalouf and Youssef Zaidan, Issa successfully navigates the challenge of using history as a foundation for a novel that combines imaginative storytelling with entertainment. The novel has won the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel  in 2018.