Story-telling in the framework of non-fictional Arabic literature

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This volume presents detailed studies on narration's forms and functions across various literary contexts, focusing on the ambiguous nature of narration within conventionally undeclared fictionality. The contributions utilize diverse methodological approaches to explore fundamental concepts of fiction and imagination. Various literary fields are examined, including historiography, adab literature, exegesis, the Quran, and popular Arabic narratives. Contributors, primarily writing in English, with some in German and French, include Abdallah Cheikh-Mousa, Jane Dammen McAuliffe, and Angelika Neuwirth, among others. Key topics include the relationship between fiction and autobiography in Arabic literature, conventions of fictional narration in learned literature, and the interplay of fact and fiction in early adab texts. Studies also delve into the narrative art of philologists, examining figures and anecdotes that blur the lines between reality and fiction. The Quran's narrative structure is revisited, alongside discussions on the genre of early Arab historical texts. The volume concludes with an analysis of fiction as a historical source and the evolution of traditions within Islamic narratives. Each contribution enriches the understanding of how fiction and reality intersect in literary traditions.