The Flood (Al-Fayḍān)

The Flood (الفيضان) is a 1975 short story collection by the Syrian writer Ḥaidar Ḥaidar. The collection consists of 11 short stories, all centering on the themes of suppression and oppression experienced by Arab countries following their liberation revolutions. Similar to his other works, Ḥaidar Ḥaidar employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative style, delving into the psychology of the Arab world and the inner machinations of nationalistic pioneers.

Stories in the collection
11 short stories make up the collection:


 * Al-Namlu Wal Qat (النمل والقط)
 * Al-Rihan (الرهان)
 * Al-Zawaghan (The Illusion)
 * Ughniya Ḥazina Li Rajulin Kana Ḥayyan (أغنية حزينة لرجلٍ كان حياً)
 * Man Allathi Yathkuru Al-Ghaba? (من الذي يذكر الغابة؟)
 * Ṣamtu An-Nar (صمت النار)
 * Al-Ightiyal (الإغتيال)
 * Al-Fayḍān (الفيضان)
 * Al-Juuʿ Wal Luṣuṣ Wal Qatala (الجوع واللصوص والقتلة)
 * Al-Barabira (البرابرة)
 * Wishaḥun Wardiyun Li Rajulin Waḥid (وشاحٌ وردياً لرجلٍ وحيد)

Author's statements
Ḥaidar Ḥaidar attributes his use of stream-of-consciousness technique to his childhood experiences, noting that childhood recollections evoke a dream-like state more than reality. He has criticized traditional Arabic narratives for their simplistic portrayal of reality, arguing that they fail to delve into the inner workings of characters. Despite his Syrian origins, Ḥaidar views all Arab nations as part of a unified cause. His writing often adopts a cynical tone, yet he does not regard the plight of Arab countries as inevitable; rather, he sees reality as mutable and in need of reform. These themes are evident in his short story collection, 'The Flood'.

Complete works of Ḥaidar Ḥaidar

 * A Feast for the Seaweeds (وليمة ل أعشاب البحر) (Novel)
 * The Desolate Time (الزمن الموحش) (Novel)
 * The Mirrors of Fire (مرايا النار) (Novel)
 * Elgies of Days: Three Stories on Death (مراثي الأيام: ثلاث حكايةٌ عن الموت) (Novel)
 * Immigration of Swallows (هجرة السنونو) (Novel)
 * Al-Fahd (الفهد) (Novel)
 * Al-Fayḍān (الفيضان) (Short Stories)
 * Ighwā’ (إغواء) (Short Stories)
 * Al-Wuʿul (The Deer) (Short Stories)
 * Al-Wamḍ (وميض) (Short Stories)
 * Al-Tamawujāt (التموجات) (Two Stories)
 * Awraqul Manfa: Shahadatun Ḥawla Zamanuna (أوراق المنفى: شهادةٌ حول زماننا)