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"The renowned poet and literature professor Refaat Alareer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City alongside his brother, sister, and nephews in December 2023. He was just forty-four years old, but had already established a worldwide reputation that was further enhanced when, in the wake of his death, the poem that gives this book its title became a global sensation. 'If I Must Die' is included here, alongside Refaat's other poetry. Refaat wrote extensively about a range of topics: teaching Shakespeare and the way Shylock could be appreciated by young Palestinian students; the horrors of living under repeated brutal assaults in Gaza, one of which, in 2014, killed another of his brothers; and the generosity of Palestinians to each other, fighting, in the face of it all, to be the one paying at the supermarket checkout. Such pieces, some never before published, have been curated here by one of Refaat's closest friends and collaborators. This collection forms a fitting testament to a remarkable writer, educator, and activist, one whose voice will not be silenced by death but will continue to assert the power of learning and humanism in the face of barbarity."--
About the author
Refaat Alareer gained his PhD with a dissertation on the poetry of John Donne. He taught English Literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, now destroyed. He is the editor of two collections of writing by his students, Gaza Writes Back and Gaza Unsilenced (both published by Just World Books). His journalism featured in The New York Times, and he appeared on the BBC, ABC News, and Democracy Now. He was a volunteer at the Gaza Zoo.
Summary
This rich, elegiac compilation of work from the late Palestinian poet and professor, Refaat Alareer, brings together his marvellous poetry and deeply human writing about literature, teaching, politics, and family.
Foreword
- Major coverage for an internationally renowned Palestinian poet and teacher with features/reviews anticipated across major media including The New York Times, Washington Post, The New Yorker and The Guardian.
- Prominent features in left media including Bad Faith, Democracy Now, Novara (UK), Real News, TruthOut, The Nation, Mother Jones, In These Times, Electronic Intifada, Mondoweiss.
- Promotion to student groups across the country where many encampments have included Refaat Alareer libraries.
- Coverage across large online communities active in Palestinian solidarity including Jewish Voices For Peace, If Not Now, Students For Justice in Palestine, Stop the War (UK), Palestine Solidarity Campaign (UK).
- Specially produced video of Refaat Alareer for distribution on TikTok, YouTube and other social media.
- Events featuring well-known actors and celebrities reading Refaat’s poetry and prose. Reviews forthcoming in middle east and progressive literary magazines and publications
- Widespread giveaways of paperback galleys.
