This long-awaited sequel to the classic, The Genesis of Arabic Narrative Discourse (Saqi) , investigates a number of crucial questions related to the genre’s development. Why did the Arabic short story take certain trajectories and what determined its path? Can the study of this genre provide us with wider insights into the culture as a whole? How have writers in one Arab country influenced those in others? These are just some of the issues addressed through close reading of authors such as Taha Husain, Yusuf Idris, ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sharqawi, Edwar al-Kharrat and Jamal al-Ghitani, among many others. 'Quest for Identities’ has been selected by Choice (Current Reviews for Academic Libraries) in the U.S.A. to appear on their annual Outstanding Academic Title list for 2009. Announced in the January 2010 edition of Choice.