Episode Overview

Podcast: New Books Network
Guest: Neil Hewison, Translator
Book Discussed: The Country Doctor’s Tale by Mohamed Mansi Qandil, forthcoming from Syracuse University Press
Host: Turo Mende
Air Date: February 26, 2026

This episode delves into the translation and literary context of The Country Doctor’s Tale—a novel originally published in Arabic in 2020, set in rural Upper Egypt. Translator Neil Hewison discusses his process, the novel’s themes, the protagonist’s journey, and the unique place this work holds within Egyptian literature.

Key Discussion Points

1. Reading from the Novel (02:50–10:03)

• Neil Hewison reads an evocative passage establishing the novel’s atmosphere, introducing the protagonist—a doctor sent to a remote rural clinic after being released from prison for political activity.
• The excerpt paints a vivid picture of isolation, the difficulties of rural life, and the psychological toll of past imprisonment.
• Memorable metaphors—such as likening the protagonist’s adaptation to prison to “the maggots of the earth”—highlight Qandil’s stark, empathetic narration.

Notable quote [07:17]:
“It wasn’t just my body that was worn out. My soul was also under assault. The sounds of the night provoked mortal terror in my inner being... Prison was only a mild punishment, but your soul is in our hands now.” —Neil Hewison, reading from the novel

2. Discovering and Choosing to Translate the Novel (10:03–13:03)

• Neil encountered the book serendipitously in a Cairo bookstore; knowing the author’s reputation, he was drawn in by the cover and the setting.
• He felt an immediate personal connection: “I had a sort of connection to the setting of the novel, with experience of village life.” [11:49]
• The rare rural setting stood out, aligning with Neil’s own early years in Egypt and fueling his motivation to translate it.

Notable quote [11:07]:
“There are not that many Egyptian novels from the village setting… my own experience, when I first came to Egypt, was living in a rural setting. So I had a connection to the setting of the novel as well.” —Neil Hewison

3. The Translation Process (13:03–15:59)

• Neil approaches translation iteratively: working page by page, building a rough draft, and then many rounds of revision.
• He collaborated closely with native-Arabic speaker friends, reading passages aloud and ensuring both accuracy and nuance [14:00–14:54].
• “You want to leave it behind for a few weeks and then come back to it with a fresh eye.” [15:15]
• Even at the final proof stage, Neil notices passages he wishes to refine—an endless process of striving for improvement.

Notable quote [15:27]:
“To be honest, that process never ends. Even now, as the book is about to go to press… I still see things I wish I’d changed.” —Neil Hewison

4. Language of the Novel (16:27–17:57)

• The entire novel, including dialogue, is written in Modern Standard Arabic, which is somewhat unusual since many Egyptian novels use colloquial Arabic for speech.
• Qandil’s style is described as direct and simple—committed to clear storytelling rather than linguistic flourish.
• Even so, interpreting subtle intentions or meanings behind the words is a key translator’s challenge.

Notable quote [16:53]:
“The writer doesn’t show off linguistically… he wants to get his story across clearly and simply.” —Neil Hewison

5. Autobiographical Elements (17:57–20:23)

• The novel’s protagonist shares biographical details with Qandil: the real author was a doctor posted to a rural village early in his career.
• While there are clear parallels, the narrative itself is fictionalized—though certain characters (e.g., the superintendent police chief) are based on real people from the author’s life.
• “He’s a fiction writer… a lot is mostly imagination, but based on his own experiences, so certainly not autobiographical.” [19:44]

6. Themes and Portrayal of Rural Egypt (20:23–22:59)

• The novel is descriptive rather than critical of rural life—it balances a sense of beauty and cruelty.
• Qandil’s empathy for villagers’ hardships coexists with critique of authority figures (e.g., the police superintendent).
• The depiction resonates with Neil’s own firsthand experiences in Egyptian villages, lending authenticity to the translation.

Notable quote [21:12]:
“He reflects really quite accurately on what, to me, is a real mix of beauty and cruelty in the Egyptian rural setting… he has this sympathy; there’s an empathy in there.” —Neil Hewison

7. Character Development of the Doctor (22:59–25:24)

• The protagonist’s journey is neither static nor straightforward: he is ambiguous, compassionate toward his patients, but also wrestling with his own desires and motivations.
• The central “love story” is characterized by complexity and realism, with both leads having intricate motivations.
• The narrative avoids predictable trajectories, allowing growth and self-recognition for the protagonist by the novel’s end.
• “He has various revelations and comes to recognize truths… there is certainly development of character.” [24:32]

8. Position in Egyptian Literary Landscape (25:24–28:26)

• The rural setting distinguishes this novel from much contemporary Egyptian literature, which tends to be urban.
• Hewison draws connections to other minor rural works but emphasizes the rarity and depth of Qandil’s perspective.
• The novel persistently surprises: “It doesn’t go in the direction you think it’s going to go, ever… Even right to the very end… you don’t know what’s going to happen next.” [27:37]

9. Advice for Aspiring Translators (28:26–31:49)

• For those wishing to publish Arabic literary translations, Neil recommends identifying specialized presses with a track record in Arabic literature (AUC Press, Syracuse UP, Saki Books, Interlink).
• Standard practice: prepare a sample translation and synopsis before seeking a contract.
• Cites advice from the late translator Humphrey Davies: “Rule number one of translating is never start a translation until you’ve got a contract.” However, Neil notes that personal motivations can justify exceptions.

Notable quote [30:38]:
“If you pick a certain author… who published that translation? Those would be the first people to go to.” —Neil Hewison

10. What’s Next for Neil Hewison (31:49–33:08)

• Neil is open to future translation projects but is not rushing: “I kind of wait for things to fall into my lap… I wouldn’t just pick up any book and start translating.”
• He views translation as a mental challenge and a craft that requires real investment and interest in the work.

Memorable Quotes

• “You want to leave it behind for a few weeks and then come back to it with a fresh eye… that's when you read it and think, 'Oh, that doesn’t quite ring right in English.'” —Neil Hewison [15:18]
• “There is a character development. We don’t know what happens after the end… Perhaps he’s learned some valuable lessons, we hope.” —Neil Hewison [24:40]
• “It’s the rural setting that makes this novel stand out, plus the quality of the writing and the character development. There’s never a point where you think you know what’s going to happen next.” —Neil Hewison [27:40]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:50–10:03 — Passage from the novel (atmosphere, setting, and main character introduction)
• 10:03–11:49 — How Neil discovered the novel and his personal connections to its themes and setting
• 13:03–15:59 — Translation process and collaboration with native speakers
• 16:27–17:57 — Language and style of the original novel
• 17:57–20:23 — Autobiographical elements and the line between fact and fiction
• 20:23–22:59 — Depiction of rural Egypt, empathy vs. critique
• 22:59–25:24 — Character development of the protagonist and narrative ambiguity
• 25:24–28:26 — Place within Egyptian literature and comparison to other works
• 28:26–31:49 — Advice for aspiring literary translators
• 31:49–33:08 — Translator’s future plans and philosophy on translation

Episode Tone

The episode is reflective, thoughtful, and intimate. Neil’s deep affinity for both the setting and literary craft shines through, as does his practical and supportive advice for aspiring translators. Qandil’s novel is presented as an evocative exploration of place, character, and Egyptian society, with both pain and beauty marked by a quietly empathetic perspective.

This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode's content and a strong sense of the novel's thematic richness and the translator's craft.