| Arabic Electronic Mail Journal |
| Egyptian Art and Culture |
| London Phone: (0044) 07 919 021 409 |
Edited by S Suwellam, London, UK /
Youssef Idrees
With a unique style, a distinct way of presenting ideas and commitment to the cause, aspirations and concerns of
his country, Dr Youssef Idrees is a glittering star in the realm of contemporary Arabic literature, both as a short
story and novel writer and playwright. He has left a rich legacy of writings, including novels, short stories, plays
and essays. Youssef Idrees is considered a turning point in the history of Arabic short story and novel. Thanks to
his contributions, the Arabic novel evolved from "pathetic" romanticism to realism. He was born on May 19,
1927. Throughout his school years, he was an intelligent, talented and distinguished student. He used to read
stories, scientific and literary books where he got acquainted with major contemporary Arabic writers. He also
read translations of foreign literature.
During his study at the Faculty of Medicine, he became more interested in literature, psychology, poetry and other
arts such as music and painting. There, he started to write short stories and show them to his colleagues. In his last
year at the Faculty, he participated in the students' demonstrations against British colonisation; he became the
executive secretary of the committee defending students. He was engaged in clashes with the British soldiers.
While he practised medicine during the period from 1951 1960, he remained committed to the patriotic cause of
his country and took part in the secret meetings of the liberation movement until the July, 1952 Revolution took
place. He took part in editing "Al Tahrir", the first magazine published by the Army in September, 1952.
Landmarks along his career:
Youssef Idrees started writing short stories, while still a student of medicine. His early short stories drew the
attention of critics, many of whom foretold he would reach outstanding status especially after he wrote "The
Strangers' Song" published in "Al Qissa" magazine in 1950.
Idrees' stories were published in "Rosel-Yousef" magazine , then Abdel Rahman Al Khamisi introduced him to "Al
Masri" newspaper.
He published his first collection "Cheapest Nights" in 1954, which contained short stories previously published in
"Al Qissa", "Rosel-Yousef" magazines, and "Al Masri" newspaper. Then he began to publish his works in
"Sabahel-Kheir" magazine . He was appointed as Editor in "Al Gomhouria" newspaper where he started his career
as a journalist and a writer.
He was entrusted to write a book on the Suez War, to be translated into English, and another book on the
National Union. He made a successful debut in the theatre when he wrote his one-act play entitled "Farahat's
Republic".
In 1973, he was appointed as writer in Al-Ahram newspaper. In his late years, he had a special interest in writing
articles as he used to write weekly articles which were published in Al-Ahram every Monday. These essays,
published under the heading "From My Diary", with their rich and daring subjects and elaborate style, constituted
another form of Idrees' writings.
Ph.Ds. on literature of Youssef Idrees:
Youssef Idrees's literary works were the subject of about 95 Ph.D. theses in and outside Egypt. In foreign
universities, these works were subject to more than 22 studies. For example, the Spanish researcher Pilar Liro El
Elegado made her Ph.D. on "The Dramatic World of Youssef Idrees". Owing to the significance of this Ph.D., it
was printed and published in a book by the Egyptian Institute for Islamic Studies. It was discussed in a seminar in
Taha Hussein's Hall at the Institute, attended by some of the Egyptian and Spanish university professors and
orientalists.
Works of Youssef Idrees:
Youssef Idrees started his career writing short stories and articles as early as 1954. He continued writing articles
to the press until shortly before his death in 1991. He made rich contributions to "Al Qissa", "Rosel-Yousef", "Al
Tahrir", "Al Hadaf" , "Sabahul Kheir", "Al Masri" and "Al Ghad" magazines, and "Al Gornhouria", "Al Shaab" and
"Al Ahrarm" newspapers.
Idrees published about 12 collections of short stories, 8 plays, 6 novels, 11 books containing his essays. Besides,
he wrote on childhood, its innocent world and awareness of the surrounding reality. He took part in most of
political, literary and intellectual seminars organised at his time. He also co-authored some books.
Short story collections include:
"Cheapest Nights", "Love Story", "Isn't It?" , "The Hero", "Too Far", "The Oh! Language", " An Accident of
Honour", "Al Naddaha", "A House Made of Flesh" .
Plays:
"Farahat Republic", "King of Cotton", "Critical Moment", "Al Farafeer" ( common people), "The Earthly Farce",
"The Stripped", "The Third Sex", "Towards an Arabic Theatre".
Novels:
"The Prohibited", "The Wrong", "Men and Bulls", "The Black Soldier", "The White"
Reflections:
"Limited Frankness", "The Discovery of a Continent", "Dr.Youssef Idrees's Diary," in three parts.
Stories for children:
"Right", "A Look", "Is It a plaything?" , "Play" and the "Grey Triangle".
his country, Dr Youssef Idrees is a glittering star in the realm of contemporary Arabic literature, both as a short
story and novel writer and playwright. He has left a rich legacy of writings, including novels, short stories, plays
and essays. Youssef Idrees is considered a turning point in the history of Arabic short story and novel. Thanks to
his contributions, the Arabic novel evolved from "pathetic" romanticism to realism. He was born on May 19,
1927. Throughout his school years, he was an intelligent, talented and distinguished student. He used to read
stories, scientific and literary books where he got acquainted with major contemporary Arabic writers. He also
read translations of foreign literature.
During his study at the Faculty of Medicine, he became more interested in literature, psychology, poetry and other
arts such as music and painting. There, he started to write short stories and show them to his colleagues. In his last
year at the Faculty, he participated in the students' demonstrations against British colonisation; he became the
executive secretary of the committee defending students. He was engaged in clashes with the British soldiers.
While he practised medicine during the period from 1951 1960, he remained committed to the patriotic cause of
his country and took part in the secret meetings of the liberation movement until the July, 1952 Revolution took
place. He took part in editing "Al Tahrir", the first magazine published by the Army in September, 1952.
Landmarks along his career:
Youssef Idrees started writing short stories, while still a student of medicine. His early short stories drew the
attention of critics, many of whom foretold he would reach outstanding status especially after he wrote "The
Strangers' Song" published in "Al Qissa" magazine in 1950.
Idrees' stories were published in "Rosel-Yousef" magazine , then Abdel Rahman Al Khamisi introduced him to "Al
Masri" newspaper.
He published his first collection "Cheapest Nights" in 1954, which contained short stories previously published in
"Al Qissa", "Rosel-Yousef" magazines, and "Al Masri" newspaper. Then he began to publish his works in
"Sabahel-Kheir" magazine . He was appointed as Editor in "Al Gomhouria" newspaper where he started his career
as a journalist and a writer.
He was entrusted to write a book on the Suez War, to be translated into English, and another book on the
National Union. He made a successful debut in the theatre when he wrote his one-act play entitled "Farahat's
Republic".
In 1973, he was appointed as writer in Al-Ahram newspaper. In his late years, he had a special interest in writing
articles as he used to write weekly articles which were published in Al-Ahram every Monday. These essays,
published under the heading "From My Diary", with their rich and daring subjects and elaborate style, constituted
another form of Idrees' writings.
Ph.Ds. on literature of Youssef Idrees:
Youssef Idrees's literary works were the subject of about 95 Ph.D. theses in and outside Egypt. In foreign
universities, these works were subject to more than 22 studies. For example, the Spanish researcher Pilar Liro El
Elegado made her Ph.D. on "The Dramatic World of Youssef Idrees". Owing to the significance of this Ph.D., it
was printed and published in a book by the Egyptian Institute for Islamic Studies. It was discussed in a seminar in
Taha Hussein's Hall at the Institute, attended by some of the Egyptian and Spanish university professors and
orientalists.
Works of Youssef Idrees:
Youssef Idrees started his career writing short stories and articles as early as 1954. He continued writing articles
to the press until shortly before his death in 1991. He made rich contributions to "Al Qissa", "Rosel-Yousef", "Al
Tahrir", "Al Hadaf" , "Sabahul Kheir", "Al Masri" and "Al Ghad" magazines, and "Al Gornhouria", "Al Shaab" and
"Al Ahrarm" newspapers.
Idrees published about 12 collections of short stories, 8 plays, 6 novels, 11 books containing his essays. Besides,
he wrote on childhood, its innocent world and awareness of the surrounding reality. He took part in most of
political, literary and intellectual seminars organised at his time. He also co-authored some books.
Short story collections include:
"Cheapest Nights", "Love Story", "Isn't It?" , "The Hero", "Too Far", "The Oh! Language", " An Accident of
Honour", "Al Naddaha", "A House Made of Flesh" .
Plays:
"Farahat Republic", "King of Cotton", "Critical Moment", "Al Farafeer" ( common people), "The Earthly Farce",
"The Stripped", "The Third Sex", "Towards an Arabic Theatre".
Novels:
"The Prohibited", "The Wrong", "Men and Bulls", "The Black Soldier", "The White"
Reflections:
"Limited Frankness", "The Discovery of a Continent", "Dr.Youssef Idrees's Diary," in three parts.
Stories for children:
"Right", "A Look", "Is It a plaything?" , "Play" and the "Grey Triangle".
