MAKTOOB Ep 5 | Edo’s Souls: Translating a Sudanese Multi-Generational Epic

On translating Edo’s Souls—a multi-generational epic of migration from South Sudan to North Sudan, told through a multiplicity of perspectives.

In this episode, Anam speaks with the book’s translator, Sawad Hussain, about getting under the skin of the characters and capturing their distinct voices in translation.
They discuss the strength and diversity of the mothers in the book, the vivid depictions of humans and nature, and approaches to rendering regional Sudanese languages, cultures, and dances into English. The conversation also explores the relationship between literature and activism, and the benefits of a strong author-translator partnership—especially when it comes to taking creative risks.
Buy the book: www.dedalusbooks.com/our-books/book.php?id=00000377
Find more about its translator, Sawad Hussein, here: sawadhussain.com

MAKTOOB | مكتوب is a new podcast series on Arabic stories in English where we explore all sorts of books from different regions in conversation with their translators.

This podcast is a kometkashakeel.com production, hosted and produced by Lauren Pepperell and Anam Zafar with support from Lobna Monieb. Post-production by Lauren Pepperell with support from Owen Shirley.

Cover artwork: Mohaned Khater

Theme music: https://bit.ly/446WsUm
Songs: Kamal Tarbas - Safiry
Skinshape ft Idd Aziz - Sudan