Title: The Calls of the Sandpipers

Author: Taha Hussein (Egyptian)

Translators: Yang Shiquan, Li Zhiguo, Li Mingru

Publisher: Sino - Culture Press

Edition: 1st Edition, May 2017

Format: Soft - bound Hardcover, 16 - mo

Printed Sheets: 9.5

Word Count: 77,000 words

ISBN: 9787507545487

Price: 28.00 CNY

The Calls of the Sandpipers depicts the different experiences of three rural women. The mother, Zehra, is abandoned by her heartless and immoral husband, leading a vagrant life in a foreign land. Later, one of her daughters dies tragically, and the other flees, leaving her alone and desolate. The eldest daughter, Hunadi, works as a servant and falls in love with the young master of the house, but is killed by her conservative and cruel uncle. The younger sister, Amina, in pursuit of freedom, flees alone. After enduring various hardships, she finally wins human dignity and love. However, differences in social status, class prejudices, and the intolerance of feudal ethics mean that the love between her and the young engineer may mark the beginning of another tragedy. With a kind heart, the author, through the description of the protagonist Amina's bumpy fate, expresses deep sympathy and hope for the working - class women at the bottom of society, and mercilessly condemns and lashes out at the feudal ethics and evil forces that harm women. As a literary work, The Calls of the Sandpipers is characterized mainly by its beautiful language. Taha Hussein is a recognized master of language. His novels blend poetry, prose, and stories, full of poetic and picturesque charm, with a unique style.

Taha Hussein is a renowned Egyptian writer, literary theorist, and educator, enjoying a lofty status in the history of modern Arabic literature and being hailed as "the pillar of Arabic literature". He was born in a small village on the west bank of the Nile in Upper Egypt. His family was poor, and he lost his sight at the age of three. Despite this, he was extremely intelligent. At the age of 13, he entered Al - Azhar University to study religious teachings and laws. In 1908, he transferred to the newly - established Cairo University, studying history, literature, and foreign languages. His graduation thesis was astonishing, and he won the first doctorate degree of Cairo University. After graduating from university, he was sent by the government to study in France. Upon returning to Egypt, he was appointed as a professor at Cairo University. He held various positions such as the editor - in - chief of the Literary Magazine, the president of Alexandria University, the Egyptian Minister of Education, the president of the Arabic Language Academy, and the director of the Cultural Committee of the Arab League. After the establishment of the Egyptian Writers' Association in 1956, he served as the president of the association. Throughout half a century, although blind, Taha Hussein created many outstanding works with amazing perseverance. His novels include The Days, The Calls of the Sandpipers, The Tree of Misery, Lost Love, The Suffering of the Earth, Scheherazade's Dream, The True Promise, etc. His essay collections include Spring and Summer Travels, From Afar. These works have had a wide - ranging influence in the Arab world.

Yang Shiquan: A professor at Beijing Language and Culture University. He graduated from the Chinese Department of Northwest University in 1961 and was selected by the Ministry of Education as a "national overseas teaching staff". In 1961, he entered the Department of Asian and African Languages at Peking University to specialize in Arabic. After graduation, he was "reserved" at Beijing Language Institute, teaching Chinese to international students. He started teaching abroad in 1972 and spent a total of ten years in Yemen, Egypt, the Philippines, etc. In 1982, he was commissioned to establish "Beijing Language and Culture University Press" and served as the president and deputy editor - in - chief. He also organized the "Chinese Society for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language" and served as the secretary - general of the society.

Li Zhiguo: Born in October 1956 in Heilongjiang Province, he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies Institute (the predecessor of Beijing Foreign Studies University). From 1978 to 1992, he worked in the Embassy of China in Egypt, the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of China in Iraq, holding positions as a staff member, attaché, third secretary, and second secretary. From 1992 to 1997, in the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he served as a first secretary, deputy director, and director. From 1997 to 2001, he served as the Consul - General in Dubai. From 2001 to 2006, he was a counselor in the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2006 to 2009, he served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Bahrain. From 2009 to 2010, he served as an ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ambassador for affairs of the "China - Arab States Cooperation Forum". From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Consul - General in Juba (ambassadorial rank). From 2011 to 2013, he served as the Ambassador to South Sudan. In July 2013, he served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Libya.

Li Mingru: Graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies Institute (the predecessor of Beijing Foreign Studies University), she worked in the Embassy of China in Egypt, the Department of Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of China in Iraq.