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In the Courtyard of Mercury
At the age of sixty-three, Fatima, a devoted mother of eight with firm religious convictions, is at a crossroads in her life. Her world turns unexpectedly when she takes her fifteen year old nephew, Rashid, under her care. As she cares for Rashid, he surprises her with a probing question: "Were you once an actress?" Fatima, a devout follower of the Islamic faith, which prohibits television acting, is forced to confront long-held secrets to Rashid, even ones she kept from her husband, Abdulla. This tale delves into her childhood in Fahaheel, Kuwait, leading to a pivotal summer in 1976 in Lebanon that changed her life forever. It unravels the intricate connections she shares with three families that have played significant roles in shaping the woman she is today. Yet, in he midst of these intricate relationships, one burning question emerges: What made Fatima keep her past as an actress hidden from her husband? It’s a story of revelation, a woman’s journey to reconcile her faith, her past, and her identity.
210 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 12, 2024
“When I finally got to see myself in the mirror, I stared to see my true self. I realized at the age of twenty that I don’t want to be there. I didn’t recognize myself. I couldn’t go for more. I wanted to be away from these people. I was losing my mind.” — Ahmad AlHamadi, In the Courtyard of Mercury
“This tale delves into Fatima’s childhood in Fahaheel, Kuwait, leading to a pivotal summer in 1976 in Lebanon that changed her life forever. It unravels the intricate connections she shares with three families that have played significant roles in shaping the woman she is today. Yet, in the midst of these intricate relationships, one burning question emerges: What made Fatima keep her past as an actress hidden from her husband?
It's a story of revelation, a woman's journey to reconcile her faith, her past, and her identity.”
Reading this brought me to Kuwait and introduced me to its society which I knew nothing about. Ahmad, the author has this unique identity in his way of writing which made me reminiscent of a “lyrical” or “stream of consciousness” writing style.
Fatima’s character resonated deeply with me, particularly her struggles with losing her sense of self amidst societal pressures, how the media made her blind and made her heart more attached to the worldly things. It emphasizes the importance of reading the Quran as well, and that prompt me to reconsider my reading choices this year. The exploration of heart cleansing, the fragility of hearts, and the difficulty of forgiveness struck a chord in me. Overall, this book has profoundly influenced my perspective and inspired me to form a a deeper connection with my faith. For a debut, it’s exceptionally well-written.
“This tale delves into Fatima’s childhood in Fahaheel, Kuwait, leading to a pivotal summer in 1976 in Lebanon that changed her life forever. It unravels the intricate connections she shares with three families that have played significant roles in shaping the woman she is today. Yet, in the midst of these intricate relationships, one burning question emerges: What made Fatima keep her past as an actress hidden from her husband?
It's a story of revelation, a woman's journey to reconcile her faith, her past, and her identity.”
Reading this brought me to Kuwait and introduced me to its society which I knew nothing about. Ahmad, the author has this unique identity in his way of writing which made me reminiscent of a “lyrical” or “stream of consciousness” writing style.
Fatima’s character resonated deeply with me, particularly her struggles with losing her sense of self amidst societal pressures, how the media made her blind and made her heart more attached to the worldly things. It emphasizes the importance of reading the Quran as well, and that prompt me to reconsider my reading choices this year. The exploration of heart cleansing, the fragility of hearts, and the difficulty of forgiveness struck a chord in me. Overall, this book has profoundly influenced my perspective and inspired me to form a a deeper connection with my faith. For a debut, it’s exceptionally well-written.
February 13, 2024
بدايةً، أشعر بالفخر لكوني واحدة من القلة الذين اقتنوا هذا الكتاب. بصراحة، الكتاب يتميز بقصة مختلفة تمامًا عن أي كتاب قرأته من قبل. تدور الرواية حول فاطمة، المرأة الكويتية المحافظة دينياً، التي تعيش مع أطفالها وزوجها عبدالله. عندما يُدخل أخوها غير الشقيق المستشفى، تضطر إلى أن تستضيف راشد، حفيد أخيها. يكتشف راشد في المستشفى معلومة عن فاطمة "اخت جده"، مما يثير فضوله نحو عمته فاطمة الملتزمة دينيًا، وكيف أنها تخفي سرًا عظيمًا "عكس تقاليد الدين". يبدأ راشد بطرح الأسئلة حول ماضيها، وهنا تبدأ القصة، حيث تروي فاطمة تفاصيل حياتها لراشد الصغير.
بالطبع، هناك العديد من وجهات النظر في الرواية. من وجهة نظري، قد يعتقد البعض أن حدثًا معينًا في حياتهم هو السبب وراء أخطائهم، لكن للأشخاص الآخرين وجهة نظر مختلفة تمامًا، حيث يرىون أن هذا الحدث لم يكن سببًا للأخطاء. كما أنه من الشائع أن نعتقد أن هناك أشخاصًا مثاليين دون أخطاء، لكن في الواقع يمكن أن يكونوا شخصيات معقدة أو غير مستقرة، وأن الوجه الخارجي الذي نراه هو فقط جزء صغير من شخصيتهم الحقيقية.
من الأمور المميزة في الرواية هو كيفية عرض عادات المجتمع الكويتي، وكيف أن التكيف مع مجتمع جديد قد يؤثر سلبًا على بعض الأشخاص. قد شعرت بالملل في بعض الأحيان، ولكن كانت فضولية راشد الصغير تثير اهتمامي في كل مرة، حينما يسأل عن شيء جديد عن عمته فاطمة.
تعلمت من الرواية أهمية مسامحة الذات على أخطائها، وعدم السماح للماضي بالتأثير على الحاضر أو المستقبل. يجب أن تكون قادرًا على اختيار مسارك الخاص، دون السماح لأي شخص بتحديد مستقبلك، خاصة إذا كان غير مناسب اجتماعيًا لك.
Firstly, I am proud to be one of the few who possess this book. Frankly, the book has a somewhat different story than any book I've read before. The novel revolves around Fatima, a Kuwaiti woman who is religiously conservative, living with her children and husband, Abdullah. When her non-biological brother is admitted to the hospital, she is forced to host Rashid, his grandson. Rashid discovers in the hospital a piece of information about Fatima, "his grandfather's sister," sparking his curiosity about his religiously devout aunt, who hides a great secret "contrary to religious traditions." Rashid tries to inquire about her past, and here the story begins, with Fatima recounting all the details of her life to young Rashid.
Certainly, there are many perspectives in the novel. From my perspective, many of us may attribute a specific event in our lives as the cause of our mistakes, but to someone outside your life, it will be entirely clear that the event is not the cause of your mistakes. It is common to feel that there are perfect individuals without flaws, while in reality, they could be complex or unstable personalities, and the outer shell we see is just a small part of their true character.
One of the distinctive features of the novel is how it presents the customs of Kuwaiti society and how adapting to a new community can negatively affect some individuals. I felt bored at times, but Rashid's young curiosity about something new about his aunt Fatima always intrigued me.
I learned from the novel the importance of forgiving oneself for mistakes and not allowing the past to affect the present or future. You should be able to choose your own path without letting anyone dictate your future, especially if it is socially inappropriate for you.
بالطبع، هناك العديد من وجهات النظر في الرواية. من وجهة نظري، قد يعتقد البعض أن حدثًا معينًا في حياتهم هو السبب وراء أخطائهم، لكن للأشخاص الآخرين وجهة نظر مختلفة تمامًا، حيث يرىون أن هذا الحدث لم يكن سببًا للأخطاء. كما أنه من الشائع أن نعتقد أن هناك أشخاصًا مثاليين دون أخطاء، لكن في الواقع يمكن أن يكونوا شخصيات معقدة أو غير مستقرة، وأن الوجه الخارجي الذي نراه هو فقط جزء صغير من شخصيتهم الحقيقية.
من الأمور المميزة في الرواية هو كيفية عرض عادات المجتمع الكويتي، وكيف أن التكيف مع مجتمع جديد قد يؤثر سلبًا على بعض الأشخاص. قد شعرت بالملل في بعض الأحيان، ولكن كانت فضولية راشد الصغير تثير اهتمامي في كل مرة، حينما يسأل عن شيء جديد عن عمته فاطمة.
تعلمت من الرواية أهمية مسامحة الذات على أخطائها، وعدم السماح للماضي بالتأثير على الحاضر أو المستقبل. يجب أن تكون قادرًا على اختيار مسارك الخاص، دون السماح لأي شخص بتحديد مستقبلك، خاصة إذا كان غير مناسب اجتماعيًا لك.
Firstly, I am proud to be one of the few who possess this book. Frankly, the book has a somewhat different story than any book I've read before. The novel revolves around Fatima, a Kuwaiti woman who is religiously conservative, living with her children and husband, Abdullah. When her non-biological brother is admitted to the hospital, she is forced to host Rashid, his grandson. Rashid discovers in the hospital a piece of information about Fatima, "his grandfather's sister," sparking his curiosity about his religiously devout aunt, who hides a great secret "contrary to religious traditions." Rashid tries to inquire about her past, and here the story begins, with Fatima recounting all the details of her life to young Rashid.
Certainly, there are many perspectives in the novel. From my perspective, many of us may attribute a specific event in our lives as the cause of our mistakes, but to someone outside your life, it will be entirely clear that the event is not the cause of your mistakes. It is common to feel that there are perfect individuals without flaws, while in reality, they could be complex or unstable personalities, and the outer shell we see is just a small part of their true character.
One of the distinctive features of the novel is how it presents the customs of Kuwaiti society and how adapting to a new community can negatively affect some individuals. I felt bored at times, but Rashid's young curiosity about something new about his aunt Fatima always intrigued me.
I learned from the novel the importance of forgiving oneself for mistakes and not allowing the past to affect the present or future. You should be able to choose your own path without letting anyone dictate your future, especially if it is socially inappropriate for you.
May 16, 2025
"Our hearts are small and fragile, unable to bear grudges and resentments for long. By forgiving others, we create space for love and peace to reside within us. I know, forgiveness can take time, especially when someone hurts us repeatedly."
This book revolves around relationships, guilt and forgiveness. Ahmad has done an exceptional job in portraying Fatima's anxiety regarding people finding out the secrets she deep buried within herself. You will meet all kinds of characters in this book, some will remind you of someone you knew in your childhood, some will break your heart and some will mold it for you.
This book revolves around relationships, guilt and forgiveness. Ahmad has done an exceptional job in portraying Fatima's anxiety regarding people finding out the secrets she deep buried within herself. You will meet all kinds of characters in this book, some will remind you of someone you knew in your childhood, some will break your heart and some will mold it for you.
Read
October 4, 2024I preferred the first half of the book over the second half. The narrative was clearer, while the second half lacked justification and clarity, making it hard to understand why, for example, Fatima's sister's behavior changed after her marriage and the reason behind the sudden shift in the family's treatment of her father, as if he were an enemy. Salwa visiting Fatima after many years added to a general feeling of being lost as a reader with the characters and story.
However, I appreciated the open ending; it feels like the husband and children might have known about Fatima’s acting career all along but decided not to speak about it because of her discreet personality that does not prefer to discuss her past.
It seems illogical that no one knows about Fatima's scenes on TV, especially considering the village dynamics, where everyone is aware of each other's lives and would not miss the chance to hear at least one piece of news about Fatima's career and speak about it.
I really liked the aspect of Rashid, her nephew, coming to her home and asking her questions. This interaction made me feel connected to both Rashid and Fatima, as if they were close family members. The sentimental moments they shared stood out to me. However, there is a lack of more beautiful scenery descriptions, like on page 101, where it mentions: “She looked at the clear night sky; it was aesthetically pleasing. She looked at the yellow lights in the streets between the houses. Some of them were working fine, and some were on and off periodically. There was a light breeze kissing some trees.” Such details transport me into the novel's atmosphere.
Fatima is also a victim of her parents, still tied to her past. Her father was influenced by John and the producer, leading him to believe that success relied on modernity, which to him meant insisting that his daughter should be an actress. He even compared his wife to John’s wife in terms of her style. While Fatima may be finding her true self in Dar el Noor amidst a religious atmosphere, The incident where her mother asks her to return to filming a scene—requesting she remove her hijab—stands out, especially since earlier her mother had mentioned that removing the hijab could damage her relationship with her daughter. These conflicting moments from her mother could be significant factors that shaped Fatima's personality from the religious side.
However, I appreciated the open ending; it feels like the husband and children might have known about Fatima’s acting career all along but decided not to speak about it because of her discreet personality that does not prefer to discuss her past.
It seems illogical that no one knows about Fatima's scenes on TV, especially considering the village dynamics, where everyone is aware of each other's lives and would not miss the chance to hear at least one piece of news about Fatima's career and speak about it.
I really liked the aspect of Rashid, her nephew, coming to her home and asking her questions. This interaction made me feel connected to both Rashid and Fatima, as if they were close family members. The sentimental moments they shared stood out to me. However, there is a lack of more beautiful scenery descriptions, like on page 101, where it mentions: “She looked at the clear night sky; it was aesthetically pleasing. She looked at the yellow lights in the streets between the houses. Some of them were working fine, and some were on and off periodically. There was a light breeze kissing some trees.” Such details transport me into the novel's atmosphere.
Fatima is also a victim of her parents, still tied to her past. Her father was influenced by John and the producer, leading him to believe that success relied on modernity, which to him meant insisting that his daughter should be an actress. He even compared his wife to John’s wife in terms of her style. While Fatima may be finding her true self in Dar el Noor amidst a religious atmosphere, The incident where her mother asks her to return to filming a scene—requesting she remove her hijab—stands out, especially since earlier her mother had mentioned that removing the hijab could damage her relationship with her daughter. These conflicting moments from her mother could be significant factors that shaped Fatima's personality from the religious side.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
In the courtyard of mercury
تدور الرواية عن فاطمة المرأة المحافظة تعيش مع عائلتها( زوجها عبدالله واطفالها )
تبدا القصة عندما يدخل أخيها اسماعيل المستشفى ,ابنة اسماعيل تظطر ان تبعث ابنها رشيد للبقاء مع عمتها فاطمة ,
تدور القصة حول سر اكتشفه رشيد عن اخت جده فاطمة هذا مايثير فضوله ويحاول البحث عن اجوبة لأسالته
ترى فاطمة أن عليها لاول مرة بعد وقت طويل مواجهة السر الذي لطالما حاولت اخفاءه عن زوجها واطفالها
أحببت كيفية وصف الكاتب عن المجتمع الكويتي وعن العادات والتقاليد .
أحسست بالملل في بعض المواضع لكثرى التفاصيل الا انني لم استطع ترك الكتاب
فقد ثارني فضول رشيد .
يمكنني القول ان الرواية تعلمك انه من المهم مسامحة الذات عن اخطاء حدثت لم يكن بوسعك فعل اي شيء حيالها لأن عدم مسامحة نفسك فسيبقى الماضي يؤثر على حاضرك ومستقبلك .
The novel revolves around Fatima, a conservative woman who lives with her family (her husband, Abdullah, and her children).
The story begins when her brother Ismail is admitted to the hospital. Ismail's daughter is forced to send her son Rashid to stay with her aunt Fatima.
The story revolves around a secret that Rashid discovered about his grandfather’s sister, Fatima. This arouses his curiosity and he tries to search for answers to his questions.
Fatima believes that for the first time after a long time, she has to confront the secret that she has always tried to hide from her husband and children.
I loved how the writer described Kuwaiti society's customs and traditions.
I felt bored in some places due to the many details, but I could not put down the book
Rasheed's curiosity aroused me.
I can say that the novel teaches you that it is important to forgive yourself for mistakes that occurred that you could not do anything about because if you do not forgive yourself, the past will continue to affect your present and future.
تدور الرواية عن فاطمة المرأة المحافظة تعيش مع عائلتها( زوجها عبدالله واطفالها )
تبدا القصة عندما يدخل أخيها اسماعيل المستشفى ,ابنة اسماعيل تظطر ان تبعث ابنها رشيد للبقاء مع عمتها فاطمة ,
تدور القصة حول سر اكتشفه رشيد عن اخت جده فاطمة هذا مايثير فضوله ويحاول البحث عن اجوبة لأسالته
ترى فاطمة أن عليها لاول مرة بعد وقت طويل مواجهة السر الذي لطالما حاولت اخفاءه عن زوجها واطفالها
أحببت كيفية وصف الكاتب عن المجتمع الكويتي وعن العادات والتقاليد .
أحسست بالملل في بعض المواضع لكثرى التفاصيل الا انني لم استطع ترك الكتاب
فقد ثارني فضول رشيد .
يمكنني القول ان الرواية تعلمك انه من المهم مسامحة الذات عن اخطاء حدثت لم يكن بوسعك فعل اي شيء حيالها لأن عدم مسامحة نفسك فسيبقى الماضي يؤثر على حاضرك ومستقبلك .
The novel revolves around Fatima, a conservative woman who lives with her family (her husband, Abdullah, and her children).
The story begins when her brother Ismail is admitted to the hospital. Ismail's daughter is forced to send her son Rashid to stay with her aunt Fatima.
The story revolves around a secret that Rashid discovered about his grandfather’s sister, Fatima. This arouses his curiosity and he tries to search for answers to his questions.
Fatima believes that for the first time after a long time, she has to confront the secret that she has always tried to hide from her husband and children.
I loved how the writer described Kuwaiti society's customs and traditions.
I felt bored in some places due to the many details, but I could not put down the book
Rasheed's curiosity aroused me.
I can say that the novel teaches you that it is important to forgive yourself for mistakes that occurred that you could not do anything about because if you do not forgive yourself, the past will continue to affect your present and future.
February 13, 2024
This is literally a summarize of the notes I took while I was reading.
• 1st chapter, best opening the book could have! (I am emotionally attached to it)
• Some parts feel rushed, idk if they were made like that on purpose, but it bothers me a bit, as it changes the pace of reading.
• Chapter 10 is THAT. Prob fav chapter: "it's the messiest thing a person can do to themselves, to he someone else" and "a life with no scripts" was something that really resonated with me.
• Mixed feelings about "forgiveness becomes a way to understand their ignorance or circumstances", mainly because I am unable to forgive someone that has acted in the wrong consciously (but this is my personal issue, novel wise it fits everything!)
• To not be friends with the people whose only link is a borrowed device, like damn go off.
• I do not understand why she is sooooo guilty about lying about the device. She only did what her mother asked her to do, and it's not like her doing killed someone. Ok, she could have acted better, and come clean with it, but still, to think that started your cruelty against your family is a bit too much.
• Parents who live vicariously through their children, forcing them to do things that don't like or are not comfortable, I DON'T CARE WHY, they should go to jail, period. I don't like either parent of Fatima. Why is it that children have to pay for their parent's sins?
• When Rashid is thinking whether her telling him the story is out of selfishness so that she (Fatima) is not burdened with a secret alone....BOY YOU ASKED HER HAHAHAHAHA if you were not able to deal with it, you shouldn't have had the balls to ask about it on the first place!!! Actions have consequences boy.
• Fatima's mother is a mastermind, I just don't know if her priorities are straight....
• Take care of your friends! They are important too in your life, can even become part of your family .
• Some things might be confusing for some people who are reading and have zero knowledge about Islam ! They are not super important, and in context understandable, but still, something to bear in mind.
• Mercury: the place we create, may it be fake or real. A home?
• THE ENDING OMGGGGGGG
• 1st chapter, best opening the book could have! (I am emotionally attached to it)
• Some parts feel rushed, idk if they were made like that on purpose, but it bothers me a bit, as it changes the pace of reading.
• Chapter 10 is THAT. Prob fav chapter: "it's the messiest thing a person can do to themselves, to he someone else" and "a life with no scripts" was something that really resonated with me.
• Mixed feelings about "forgiveness becomes a way to understand their ignorance or circumstances", mainly because I am unable to forgive someone that has acted in the wrong consciously (but this is my personal issue, novel wise it fits everything!)
• To not be friends with the people whose only link is a borrowed device, like damn go off.
• I do not understand why she is sooooo guilty about lying about the device. She only did what her mother asked her to do, and it's not like her doing killed someone. Ok, she could have acted better, and come clean with it, but still, to think that started your cruelty against your family is a bit too much.
• Parents who live vicariously through their children, forcing them to do things that don't like or are not comfortable, I DON'T CARE WHY, they should go to jail, period. I don't like either parent of Fatima. Why is it that children have to pay for their parent's sins?
• When Rashid is thinking whether her telling him the story is out of selfishness so that she (Fatima) is not burdened with a secret alone....BOY YOU ASKED HER HAHAHAHAHA if you were not able to deal with it, you shouldn't have had the balls to ask about it on the first place!!! Actions have consequences boy.
• Fatima's mother is a mastermind, I just don't know if her priorities are straight....
• Take care of your friends! They are important too in your life, can even become part of your family .
• Some things might be confusing for some people who are reading and have zero knowledge about Islam ! They are not super important, and in context understandable, but still, something to bear in mind.
• Mercury: the place we create, may it be fake or real. A home?
• THE ENDING OMGGGGGGG
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2024
3.5 stars
I’ll start by saying that I love the title & cover of this book, the vibe they give off is beautiful
In the Courtyard of Mercury focuses on Fatima as she reflects on her past and the secrets she has kept hidden. On the surface, she appears as authoritative and self-disciplined. The book shows us her early life and the events that has formed who she is now as an adult. We establish a connection with her the more her layers are revealed.
I liked how it ended up being not just the story of Fatima, but almost like a family saga. The tale dives into her family and the people that surround her over the span of their life. Watching how the events affected each member differently was interesting.
A main message I took away was that life is tumultuous, it takes you in different directions, many of which you don’t expect. The difference between what you dream of as a child and what you end up achieving can be huge.
Moreover, I liked seeing how societal norms and upbringing affect a person. The conditions they lived in shaped many decisions. The characters’ actions were defined by other people’s opinions and the need to maintain a good reputation. Society was particularly an important influence on women, like Fatima, growing up in the 1900s in a small poor village.
I appreciated the significance of faith and religion represented in the book too.
It was nice to read something from the pov of a character who, like me, is a muslim arab who grew up in the gulf
The writing style was smooth & lyrical, painting the setting of the village of Fahaheel and 1900s Kuwait.
However, an issue I had with the book was that it needed heavy editing. I came across several typos and grammatical & punctuational errors. They were off-putting because they interrupted the flow and quality of the story, so i believe it would make for a better reading experience when they are fixed in a final draft.
I think I would’ve also liked seeing more about Fatima’s children and their lives
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!
I’ll start by saying that I love the title & cover of this book, the vibe they give off is beautiful
In the Courtyard of Mercury focuses on Fatima as she reflects on her past and the secrets she has kept hidden. On the surface, she appears as authoritative and self-disciplined. The book shows us her early life and the events that has formed who she is now as an adult. We establish a connection with her the more her layers are revealed.
I liked how it ended up being not just the story of Fatima, but almost like a family saga. The tale dives into her family and the people that surround her over the span of their life. Watching how the events affected each member differently was interesting.
A main message I took away was that life is tumultuous, it takes you in different directions, many of which you don’t expect. The difference between what you dream of as a child and what you end up achieving can be huge.
Moreover, I liked seeing how societal norms and upbringing affect a person. The conditions they lived in shaped many decisions. The characters’ actions were defined by other people’s opinions and the need to maintain a good reputation. Society was particularly an important influence on women, like Fatima, growing up in the 1900s in a small poor village.
I appreciated the significance of faith and religion represented in the book too.
It was nice to read something from the pov of a character who, like me, is a muslim arab who grew up in the gulf
The writing style was smooth & lyrical, painting the setting of the village of Fahaheel and 1900s Kuwait.
However, an issue I had with the book was that it needed heavy editing. I came across several typos and grammatical & punctuational errors. They were off-putting because they interrupted the flow and quality of the story, so i believe it would make for a better reading experience when they are fixed in a final draft.
I think I would’ve also liked seeing more about Fatima’s children and their lives
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!
May 4, 2024
This was such a stunning, thought-provoking debut! I went into this blindly without reading the synopsis and I was hooked from start to finish.
We follow Fatima (my namesake yay!), as she reflects on her past and the secrets she kept hidden from her family. Fatima’s character felt very authentic and multi-dimensional - her flaws and struggles were so relatable and they were portrayed with sensitivity. We also get a glimpse into Kuwaiti customs and traditions which I loved! The family dynamics and the social norms were super interesting to read about and they provided a lovely backdrop against which Fatima’s story unfolds.
All in all, the author creates an emotional narrative, deftly exploring the themes of identity and family. As an Arab Muslim who grew up in a Gulf country, this book definitely hit the spot for me!
We follow Fatima (my namesake yay!), as she reflects on her past and the secrets she kept hidden from her family. Fatima’s character felt very authentic and multi-dimensional - her flaws and struggles were so relatable and they were portrayed with sensitivity. We also get a glimpse into Kuwaiti customs and traditions which I loved! The family dynamics and the social norms were super interesting to read about and they provided a lovely backdrop against which Fatima’s story unfolds.
All in all, the author creates an emotional narrative, deftly exploring the themes of identity and family. As an Arab Muslim who grew up in a Gulf country, this book definitely hit the spot for me!
April 5, 2024
One of the most interesting books I've read in the past few months.
This book prevented me from sleeping, I literally could not stop reading, close the book and go to sleep - and it was brilliant and absolutely unexpectable for such a picky person like myself. Each chapter ends with an open window for another chapter to start, so you'd be intrigued and attached to the story, waiting for the next round of the plot.
I enjoyed this book and swallowed it up in a couple of days, unable to leave it for hours. Moreover, I hope to see the second part of that breathtaking story. That's kind of feeling when you don't want the book to end, you know.
Highly recommend this book to everyone who loves elaborated and subtly decorated plots, deep feelings and Middle Eastern flavour weaved in one.
This book prevented me from sleeping, I literally could not stop reading, close the book and go to sleep - and it was brilliant and absolutely unexpectable for such a picky person like myself. Each chapter ends with an open window for another chapter to start, so you'd be intrigued and attached to the story, waiting for the next round of the plot.
I enjoyed this book and swallowed it up in a couple of days, unable to leave it for hours. Moreover, I hope to see the second part of that breathtaking story. That's kind of feeling when you don't want the book to end, you know.
Highly recommend this book to everyone who loves elaborated and subtly decorated plots, deep feelings and Middle Eastern flavour weaved in one.
October 2, 2024
An interesting story which serendipitously found me - not a book I would have ever picked up on my own. The first 100 pages does test the reader and their persistence. The seemingly convoluted story unspools as we read further and it starts to make sense. The non linear narrative is intriguing and forces us to try and make sense of the relationships and inner dialogue. The religious theme didn't resonate with me but I can appreciate the context of 1970s conservative mores in Kuwait. The symbolism of Mercury appealed to me and I would have liked more exposition on this for sure. A powerful story in less than 250 pages, which is creditable for a debut author
February 25, 2024
In the Courtyard of Mercury reflects on the life of 63 year old Fatima and the secrets she has kept from her family. She divulges her story to her nephew, Rashid, recalling the accident and the events that followed. Her history as an actress is hidden from her family. a family intertwined with two others, whose secrets overlap. This was an interesting story. I liked the Quranic references and Fatima's reflections on her relationship with her father.
April 16, 2024
It’s the first time I’ve read a book that starts with mentioning Allah and i loved the little Islamic reminders throughout the book, it made the reading experience so much better. The story was really good with interesting characters that just made you want to keep reading more
June 14, 2024
4.5 🌟
Thank you Ahmad AlHamadi for sending me this beautiful book.
It’s a story of revelation—a woman’s journey to reconcile her faith, her past, and her identity.
Fatima, a sixty-three-year-old Kuwaiti woman living with her children and husband. Fatima is extremely devoted to her faith and lives a morally upright life. Everything turns upside down when her nephew Rashid knocks into her life and casts the shadow of her past. Now, nevertheless, Fatima has to confront her past secrets from her early life in Fahaheel, Kuwait, which led to a crucial summer in Lebanon in 1976 that forever changed her life.
What made Fatima keep her past hidden from her husband and children? Will she rise above the shadow of her past?
This book is a debut novel by the author. It is a beautiful blend of love, loss, forgiveness and much more. The author's writing style was impeccable and he gave life to each and every character. The pace was moderate, and the plot was a bit off at some points. The characters developed gradually and each character has a distinct impact. I connected with Fatima's character in many ways, the bond with her brother Ismail was my favourite of all. I was genuinely struck differently by her relationship with her father. (It wasn't an easy part for me to read). This book gives insight into how social norms mould an individual. (I know in some way many of us have been through these social norms.) Moreover, the author has emphasised the importance of forgiveness, family bonding, and the customs of Kuwaiti society.
I'll reminisce with this book forever. I feel I'm lacking words to describe how this book impacted me. Overall, it was a beautiful read.
Thank you Ahmad AlHamadi for sending me this beautiful book.
It’s a story of revelation—a woman’s journey to reconcile her faith, her past, and her identity.
Fatima, a sixty-three-year-old Kuwaiti woman living with her children and husband. Fatima is extremely devoted to her faith and lives a morally upright life. Everything turns upside down when her nephew Rashid knocks into her life and casts the shadow of her past. Now, nevertheless, Fatima has to confront her past secrets from her early life in Fahaheel, Kuwait, which led to a crucial summer in Lebanon in 1976 that forever changed her life.
What made Fatima keep her past hidden from her husband and children? Will she rise above the shadow of her past?
This book is a debut novel by the author. It is a beautiful blend of love, loss, forgiveness and much more. The author's writing style was impeccable and he gave life to each and every character. The pace was moderate, and the plot was a bit off at some points. The characters developed gradually and each character has a distinct impact. I connected with Fatima's character in many ways, the bond with her brother Ismail was my favourite of all. I was genuinely struck differently by her relationship with her father. (It wasn't an easy part for me to read). This book gives insight into how social norms mould an individual. (I know in some way many of us have been through these social norms.) Moreover, the author has emphasised the importance of forgiveness, family bonding, and the customs of Kuwaiti society.
I'll reminisce with this book forever. I feel I'm lacking words to describe how this book impacted me. Overall, it was a beautiful read.
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