What does it mean to yearn for a home that no longer exists? In The Compass Without North, Sultan Altheet explores exile, memory, and self-discovery with haunting lyricism. His poetry, steeped in themes of departure and return, captures the restless search for belonging, both within and beyond the physical world.

A distinguished voice in contemporary Saudi literature, Altheet blends the existential depth of Mahmoud Darwish, the introspection of Fernando Pessoa, and the grandeur of classical Arabic odes. His verses erase the borders of time and place, transforming absence into a lingering presence.

Crowned Prince of Poets in 2021 in Abu Dhabi, Altheet stands at the forefront of a new generation of Arab writers, preserving the rich traditions of Arabic verse while expanding its reach into new poetic landscapes. The Compass Without North introduces English readers to one of Saudi Arabia’s most striking literary voices, one that speaks to the universal search for identity, belonging, and meaning.