"Cities of Salt" is a novel written by Abdelrahman Munif. This epic work, originally published in Arabic, is a multi-volume series that portrays the transformation and upheaval experienced by a fictional Arabian Gulf country during the discovery of oil and the subsequent social, cultural, and economic changes it triggers. The story delves into the lives of the local inhabitants, as well as the impact of Western oil companies, international politics, and the complex interactions between tradition and modernity in the region.
Munif's narrative is known for its rich character development and its exploration of themes like identity, power, colonialism, and the clash between tradition and progress. "Cities of Salt" is a powerful and thought-provoking literary work that offers readers a window into the complexities and challenges faced by the Arabian Gulf countries during the oil boom era.