Fatema Mernissi wrote at a period when the terms of literature itself were being argued over.
The record lists Fatema Mernissi as 1940-2015, Moroccan sociologist, writer and feminist.
Fatema Mernissi was born at Fez in 1940. Her recorded nationality is Morocco. She was educated at Sorbonne and Brandeis University.
Twentieth-century writing was shaped by war, exile and translation; many of its major careers were conducted across more than one language and country.
She worked as writer, essayist and sociologist.
The writing is recorded in French and Arabic.
Books outlive their reviews, and the ones that last are seldom the ones that sold best.
The honours record reads: Princess of Asturias Literary Prize (2003) and Erasmus Prize (2004).
That the work was written from Morocco matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.
Fatema Mernissi died in 2015, aged 75. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.
Achievements
- Princess of Asturias Literary Prize — 2003
- Erasmus Prize — 2004
