Podcast Summary:

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Turul Mende
Guest: Michelle Hartman
Episode: Iman Humaydan Yunis, "Songs for Darkness" (Interlink, 2026)
Date: February 28, 2026

Overview

This episode explores the translation and thematic depth of Iman Humaydan Yunis’s forthcoming novel, Songs for Darkness, with guest Michelle Hartman—literary translator and professor of Arabic Literature at McGill University. The discussion centers around Hartman’s relationship with the author, her translation process, the novel’s stylistic and structural choices, the representation of women across generations, and broader advice for young translators.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction and Readings (01:27–06:16)

• The Novel’s Structure:
  Hartman reads from the novel’s opening and closing, highlighting its epistolary frame—letters from Asmahan to her friend Wea, spanning trauma, displacement, and survival in Beirut (02:21–06:16).

  • Memorable Passage [03:00]:

    “Loss structures my life now. Every moment is loss. Loss informs everything. The roads filled with militiamen who prevent me from moving freely... Despite all of this, I stayed in Beirut. And every morning I search for a reason to get out of bed, only to say, good morning world. Good morning, misery.”
    — Iman Humaydan Yunis, as translated/voiced by Michelle Hartman

• Framing Device [05:30]:
  The novel begins and ends with Asmahan’s personal reflections, weaving family stories into a larger tapestry of war, exile, and womanhood.

Translator-Author Relationship (06:16–09:57)

• Long-Term Collaboration:
  Hartman describes a professional and personal bond spanning nearly 20 years, leading to an intuitive understanding of Humaydan’s style.

  • Quote [06:55]:

    “When I read the novel, it was like reading something I already knew about, even though I didn’t know about it... There was a familiarity already there.”
    — Michelle Hartman

• On Literary Style:
  Hartman emphasizes both technical familiarity (phrases, expressions) and an "intangible element"—feeling implicated within the expansive world-building of Humaydan’s narratives (09:00–09:57).

Translation Approach and Method (09:57–12:35)

• Process Overview:
  Hartman first reads the entire novel quickly for feel, then a second time for analysis before beginning translation—focusing initially on the opening and closing frames due to their importance.

  • She treats each woman’s story as a semi-discrete section, despite the novel’s interconnected structure.

• Drafting Rhythm:

  • Translates relatively in order, with repeated revisiting and refinement, except for bracketing with the frame letter at the outset.

Collaboration with the Author (12:35–15:31)

• Communication:
  Hartman and Humaydan maintain frequent, informal contact (WhatsApp, occasional calls), alternating between solo work and collaborative discussions, especially on thorny translation issues or character nuances.

  • Quote [13:31]:

    “It’s not someone I don’t know well where I have to prepare a long email... I can just ask her a two-second question.”

• Author’s Deep Research:
  Humaydan’s extensive historical research is reflected in the text, and Hartman values author discussions more for thematic insights than direct translation help.

On Research and Voice (15:31–17:49)

• Influence of Academic Work:
  Hartman’s background in oral history about Lebanese women during civil conflict influences her translation—she reads widely to capture diverse women’s voices authentically in English.

  • Insight [16:45]:

    “Translation, at the end of the day, is writing. And you do find yourself influenced by the words that are part of your life, both consciously and unconsciously.”

Narrative Voices and Structure (17:49–19:19)

• Multiple Generations of Women:
  The novel centers around four generations of women, with shifts in voice and time period. While not radically experimental in style, there is clear differentiation in character perspectives, context, and speech.

  • Songs and Storytelling:
    The text weaves in songs and oral storytelling as devices, contributing to its rich, layered narrative structure.

Themes and Subjects (19:19–21:58)

• Core Themes:

  • Women’s daily lives and roles across Lebanese history, spanning Ottoman times to the 1982 war.

  • Coping and survival strategies amid war and patriarchy.

  • Intergenerational trauma and resilience.

  • Mother-daughter relationships, friendships, and solidarity among women.

  • Quote [20:30]:

    “How women are able to live and thrive and be themselves and find their way... against patriarchal structures, conservative societies, and external pressures of war and colonialism.”

• Socio-Political Commentary:
  The novel balances historical-political events with the intensity of intimate, everyday relationships.

On Humaydan’s Evolution as a Writer (21:58–25:21)

• Growth Over Time:
  Hartman sees a clear through-line of deep interiority and female perspective in Humaydan’s work but notes the novels’ growing scale.

  • Difference with Earlier Works:
    Songs for Darkness is broader in scope—historically and thematically—than earlier works like Wild Mulberries. It covers multiple generations and broader historical contexts, while retaining the author’s signature lyrical style.

  • Quote [23:55]:

    “The interconnected stories of the women through the generations are very compelling... you really want to know what’s going to happen to these characters.”

Advice for Aspiring Translators (25:21–29:03)

• Getting Started:
  Build relationships with publishers (noting Interlink’s encouragement of Arabic fiction in translation), know the field deeply, and work on texts for which you feel genuine passion.

  • Quote [27:00]:

    “You want to have a reason to do it and a good connection to the things that you translate.”

• Networking and Reading:
  Hartman emphasizes the importance of community, networking with other translators, and reading widely to inform one’s practice.

Current and Upcoming Projects (29:03–30:54)

• Forthcoming Translations:
  • Daughters of the Same Secret by Hanina Sayeh—a long story of a Druze woman’s life in Lebanon (later in 2026, Interlink).
  • A satirical novel by Badar Salim, a Montreal-based Palestinian writer—a shift toward humor and irony, showing Hartman’s engagement with diverse literary styles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Loss and Resilience [03:00]:
  "Loss structures my life now... Despite all of this, I stayed in Beirut." (from the novel, as read by Hartman)

• On the Translator-Author Bond [06:55]:
  "When I read the novel, it was like reading something I already knew about, even though I didn’t know about it..." (Hartman)

• On the Complexity of Translation [16:45]:
  "Translation, at the end of the day, is writing... influenced by words that are part of your life."

• On the Novel’s Scale [23:55]:
  “The interconnected stories of the women through the generations are very compelling.”

• On Purpose and Community for Translators [27:00]:
  “You want to have a reason to do it and a good connection to the things that you translate.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Readings from the Novel – 02:21–06:16
• Translator-Author Relationship – 06:35–09:57
• Translation Methodology – 09:57–12:35
• Collaboration Details – 12:35–15:31
• Research and Voice – 15:31–17:49
• Character and Narrative Voice – 17:49–19:19
• Themes of the Novel – 19:19–21:58
• Author’s Literary Development – 21:58–25:21
• Advice for Translators – 25:21–29:03
• Upcoming Projects – 29:03–30:54

Tone and Style

The conversation is thoughtful, professional, and deeply engaged—balancing technical insights into translation with the emotional and political contexts of both the novel and Hartman’s process. Hartman speaks with warmth and respect for both the author and the larger community of women her translation brings into English.

Conclusion

This episode is invaluable for those interested in translation, Middle Eastern women’s literature, or the craft of bringing stories across languages. It illuminates the complexity of Songs for Darkness—not just as a narrative of war, exile, and patriarchy, but as a vessel for multi-generational female voices. Hartman’s reflective responses provide guidance and inspiration for new translators, while offering a window into the intimacy and responsibility involved in literary translation.