The Anachronism in the Novel "A City Outside of Time" by Talib Omran

Abstract

The novel is one of the narrative forms that have not known stability; it was and still is a fertile field for academic research, attracting the attention of writers, critics, and readers alike, leading to a diversity in its authors and its scholars. Time is considered one of its most crucial constitutive elements, serving as the framework upon which the building and development of events proceed. Time is a category with multiple manifestations and different functions. Perhaps this is what led us to embrace the value of time in the novel, resulting in our research titled: "The Anachronism in the Novel 'A City Outside of Time' by Talib Omran." Omran succeeded in manipulating the element of time extensively using various narrative techniques, leaping from the omniscient voice to the subjective voice. This approach makes his novel rich with temporal density and a distinct narrative language, breaking the traditional fabric of narration, and thus presenting an unconventional narrative experience that transcends mere storytelling into a realm of contemplation on time, humanity, and history.