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With a diverse cultural backdrop and political as well as geographical conflicts, stories from the Middle-East are complex and beautiful. More than the vast expanses of desert which we stereotypically imagine, when we hear the word ‘Middle-East’, it is in fact home to some really interesting cultural practices, cuisines, artists and some of the most intriguing stories. Let’s see which milestones you can cover in this book voyage of the Middle-East, through Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Yemen and more!
#1 Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
Remarkably one of the most beautiful work in diaspora literature genre, Hala Alyan’s ‘Salt Houses’ is the tale of four generations of a Palestinian family, called the Yacoubs. The story of this family chronicles through the hardships faced by each member in different ways. Forced to leave their house in 1967 and live as refugees, the Yacoubs are constantly tested by time, patience and luck. When the daughter of the family Alia settles in Kuwait and builds a life with her husband and kids there, the 1990 invasion by Saddam Hussein wreaks havoc on their entire being. Life and circumstances uproot and push them from Kuwait to Boston, then to Paris and Beirut. This deft heart-touching tale echoes the grief, estrangement and effort of starting life from scratch each time the hands of fate tosses the members of this family, into a new place.
#2 The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Partly a work of fiction and partly inspired by Lefteri’s experience as a volunteer in Athens as a refugee, this is the story of Nuri, a beekeeper. Nuri leads a sweet and simple life with his wife Afra, who sells her paintings in the open market on weekends. But when Syria becomes an abode of war and chaos, Nuri is left with no choice but to leave his home, in search of a new beginning. With Afra having lost her sight, Nuri’s journey is embedded with difficulties. With a little information about his cousin Mustafa’s beekeeping business, Nuri sets on a journey of making it to Yorkshire, with a tinge of hope for rebuilding his life. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is tragic yet a story beautifully woven.
#3 The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
A popular one in the list of books set in the Middle-East, The Bastard of Istanbul by Shafak is a must read. Set in Istanbul, it’s the story of Armanoush, daughter of an American mother and an Armenian father. Armanoush who has grown up witnessing her survivor family’s anguish, faces an even bigger jolt when her parents separate, following which her mother takes up with Mustafa, a man of Turkish origin. This is where Asya Kazanci enters the picture, the niece of Mustafa. Asya is a bastard as per the society. When Armanoush decides to find out more about Mustafa, and sets out on a journey to explore Istanbul, that’s when the two girls cross each other’s path. With a significantly beautiful story spun through the medium of two interesting characters Asya and Armanoush, Shafak’s attention to detail adds so much authenticity to the story.
#4 Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
A book that deserves a slot saved on your reading list, for its wonderful storytelling, Satrapi’s ‘Persepolis’ is witty and heart-touching at the same time. It is a graphic memoir set in Iran, with Satrapi unfolding her life story from being a six year old to being fourteen years of age. Being the great-grand daughter of one of the last emperors of her land, this black and white rendition of words and images is a comic portrait of Satrapi’s life experiences. The Islamic Revolution is an important event chronicled in this book and the visual story delves into multiple themes like- growing up in a war-torn region and living amidst a life-changing revolution. An interesting political and personal take on her own life and experience, Persepolis by Satrapi is one of the most unique books set in the Middle East.
#5 Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa al-Sanea
Also known as Banat al-Riyadh, Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa is the tale of four young women in Saudi Arabia. Sadeem, Gamrah, Lamees and Michelle are the soul of this enthralling story of girls in their twenties, trying to figure out their dreams, ambitions and a life in a land where tradition binds them in several respects. Caught in between hypocrisy and tradition that limits the way these four girls want to live their respective lives, Girls in Riyadh, written in the form of emails, is a sweet reminder or how we might look at Saudi Arabia and the people who dwell there differently but the girls there are the same as our friends, girlfriends, daughters, sisters and us. They rightfully want education and the freedom to date men they like. Regardless of which, their society constantly questions and subjects them to discrimination and judgement.
Although there are several stories set in the Middle East, this list includes some must-read books that you definitely should read whenever you get a chance to. And in case you are adding new reads to your collection, we’re here to remind you- who could take the perfect care of your paperbacks and hardcovers? Well, ofcourse it’s Handivity’s protective book sleeve. In case you are a kindle owner and e-books are game, then a Kindle paperwhite sleeve is the right companion to be paired with your device full of stories.
