This books is Written in a similar style to 'The Season of Migration to the North', in which our main protagonist seeks to follow the steps of, and uncover the mysterious story of another character. Much more compelling that the season of Migration to the North, Warda tells the little known and even less discussed Communist insurgency/war for liberation in Oman.
Following the tradition of Egyptian authors who write subversive and countercultural 'fiction' that arguably isn't really 'fiction' (I'm looking at you Ibrahim Issa and Nawal Al Saadawi) and Egyptian authors who write books on eras of history that we collectively choose to forget for the sake of the present psyche (think 'The Man from Bashmour), this book focuses on an insurgency most will not even know occurred. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman fought against the sultan of Oman and believed in Marxist principles - including nationalisation of property and the liberation of women from 1974 until 1992.
I read middle eastern and north African history a lot. I had no idea whatsoever about this war. I also had no idea about many of the things covered in the book such as the erratic interaction of Gaddafi with communists and leftists in the middle east, the active role of the west in crushing leftist and communist movements in the middle east, the fact that there were communist parties so close to erasing and consolidating power in Sudan, how Abdel Nasser used socialist language, philosophy and messaging, how active and influential legit sys were in power, the degree of backstabbing in the southern Yemen government and so so so so much more. This book, although ostensibly a fiction book, goes through history from an Arab leftist point of view. One that you really will struggle to find anywhere else - because Arab leftism just isn't too much of a thing anymore in its purest form. We often recreate history in our own image, and in a middle east that is increasingly religiously zealous and theocratic, while also authoritarian and service to western interest - such histories are deeply subversive. This is probably why they are in a fiction book to begin with.
In the book you also discover so much about the nation of Oman. I didn't even know they had languages other than Arabic or about the deep African influence in their population and culture. The book contains searing critiques of the wealth that has entered the gulf states, the kafala system, the role of women and so much else that still holds true to some degree today.
Our titular character is never encountered in the present. She is mysterious and we hear about her from her own diaries. She is driven, compelling, vulnerable, empathetic, and lovable. She is zealous for her cause but never loses her humanity. She fights for what she believes in and loses. But it makes her move lovable, and I rooted for her throughout the story. It made me consider how far removed from modern reality this character was. The author is aware of this and he intentionally juxtaposes the more Religious affluent, capitalist bourgeoisie gulf with the utopia and the ideology of the titular character.
Discussion of gender in this book was very poignant, especially given that the author is a man.
I loved this book very deeply and highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more and seeing the leftist history of the middle east.
That said it wasn't perfect. At times it overstayed it's welcome, especially the parts of the book that were concerned with the present day. I also feel that one of the sexual relationships in the book was unnecessary and detracted from the plot.
The ending was perfect. It was heart breaking. It was intentionally not clear cut at all. It showed two of the characters closest to our titular character use and abuse her, denounce and absolve themselves of her to serve their own interests.
Our titular character was true to the cause, and perhaps that is why she fell to lesser men.