The Saudi Short Story: Reading the Dimensions of Bewilderment and Astonishment

Abstract

The Saudi short story represents a rich field of creative diversity that merits scholarly exploration. In recent decades, its production has flourished, marked by careful attention to artistic form and the adoption of modern narrative techniques. This development has multiplied the sources of creativity and aesthetic astonishment.

The Saudi short story demonstrates a remarkable ability to shape its characters and immerse them in realities that expose their weakness and defeats in front of greater forces such as illness, disability, orphanhood, and death. These dynamics are revealed through thresholds of space, narrative openings, and spatial‑temporal structures. Such features align with the spirit of the short story, which emerges from a sense of imbalance rooted in its volatile, suggestive, and concise nature. This feature enables it to engage in the games of narrative astonishment and artistic experimentation, rendering it vibrant and lively.