"Al-Hakim dedicated much of his long life to a fruitful attempt to advance the fortunes of twentieth-century Arabic literature by writing it. This guide to his work provides paths for readers through his multiple literary worlds. Chapters on his personal history, novels, plays, short stories, and essays, his Islamic feminism, and his theology are enhanced by a discussion of reactions in the Arab world to his writing. The book also includes plot summaries, a chronology of Al-Hakim's life, and a comprehensive annotated bibliography of his oeuvre."--BOOK JACKET.