Dalia

by Sara Badawieh

When eighteen-year-old Dalia's reputation becomes tainted, and her behavior becomes the cause of her mother's death, she flees from her abusive father who is determined to kill her to cleanse the family's honor.

 

Dalia's dream of entering university appears unattainable. Within her impoverished neighborhood, women are destined primarily for marriage and bearing children. Higher education is not part of the patriarchal plan.

 

Still, she reaches out to those in need and demonstrates the power of words and books. Defying all obstacles, she works to earn her PhD and becomes known as a social-media influencer in her country. But these achievements fail to satisfy her, and she senses that only one thing will complete facing her father again and confronting death face to face.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2021

About the author

Sara Badawieh is a practicing architect and a mother. She loves to read a variety of genres and to work out her fingers on her keyboard.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.

Reviews

[ohandbuthainareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dalia had me flipping through the pages! One of the things I really enjoyed was how well Sara brought Jordanian culture to life. The way she described the food, the family dynamics, and the overall atmosphere was so spot on. It made the whole story feel really authentic. And Dalia totally gave off eldest daughter, and it reminded me so much of my own older sister.

It’s a fast and very enjoyable read, and OF COURSE I liked the overall message it carried. One part that stuck with me was how Dalia forgave her dad in the end. I mean, yeah, she acted a bit naive, but for a 19-year-old, it felt true to her character, even though I was like, Girl, really?
I did find myself wishing the conversations had more depth. Some of them were so good, and I just wanted more! It would’ve been great to really see more personality through the dialogue. And let’s talk about the part that everyone overlooked, when Dalia forgot about Hadi after seeing Miss Suzanne when she ran away?? Like, how do you forget to ask about the guy who literally got beat up because of you?? Like is he alive maybe??

And Jafaar… I really tried to like him, but I couldn’t get past his actions from the start and the fact that he stood by her dad during that whole chaotic mess, I just couldn’t. Too much for me to overlook.

I also felt like her rise to becoming an influencer happened a little too quickly. It would’ve been fun to see more of her journey there, especially since I thought it would be a bigger part of the story.

That said, I’m excited to see where Sara’s writing goes next, and I can’t wait to read more of her future work I love her so much!

[Rana Alloush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its been a while since i finished a book in one setting.. what makes this book amazing is that was written by a Jordanian Writer… this book talks about dreams, courage and most importantly the power of reading and education

[Donia · Rating 4 out of 5]

الكتاب يجننننن! حبيت كل شي فيه سواء القصة او الشخصيات او اسلوب الكتابة والقضايا اللي ناقشتها الكاتبة زي "الزواج المبكر للهروب من سيطرة الاب وقسوته ، عدم اكمال التعليم ، تحكمات اخوات الاب في كل شي ، اقتصار دور البنات في الزواج والخلفة فقط! والكثير من العادات المتخلفة اللي للاسف لسه موجودة في مجتمعنا! كل حاجة في الكتاب فعلا عجبتني. واهم شي اسلوب الكتابة كتير حلو و سهل يعني ينفع جدا حد لسه مبتديء او غير متمكن اوي من اللغه انو يقرا الكتاب ومش هيحس فعلا ب اي صعوبة. انا اندمجت مع القصة ع عكس كتب تانيه كنت اوقات بواجه صعوبة ف ان اندمج فيها لصعوبه الاسلوب او انو اترجم كلام لكن الكتاب دا مش هتحتاجو ابدا لترجمة اي شيء. كمان من الحاجات اللي حبيتها انو الاحداث مكنتش زي منا متوقعه كنت كل شوية بتفاجيء بحاجة غير اللي فكرت فيها . انا مبسوطة ان قرأت الكتاب دا وبرشحه جدا لاي حد حابب يقرا كتاب ممتع وبيناقش ف نفس الوقت احداث واقعيه ..
.
.
👉some quotes:
"Some things are better kept hidden,"
.

"That's dangerous--you're cross-
ing the limits here."
"I know-books make you dangerous."
.
"We live in this world to make other people happy. Whenever you do
something good for people, you feel better about yourself."
.
You have no idea how much the books on the shelves bring me comfort.
.
Books are my life, the most valuable things I own.

[Faten (Onceuponabooksta) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novel we follow the story of Dalia, an eighteen year old girl who had been raised by a family who guarded old world beliefs and customs. It was expected of her that she'd agree to marry a suitor who passed her family's muster and begin producing babies. And as for completing her studies or finding herself a suitable career, well, not much. After losing her mother, she was being blamed for her death so she had no choice but to flee her home.
𖥔
Unlike Sara's previous work her intake on this was a less of a plot driven and more like a women focused narrative which was exciting to me since Arab women rarely show up in literature and i loved how she highlighted some bold issues that often go unspoken.
𖥔
This book provides a look inside an embedded patriarchal culture that we get to see clearly through Dalia's struggles with her conservative family. While we see Dalia battles with them to have her own choices, she begins to peel back some carefully guarded family secrets.
𖥔
It pains me that there's still too many women in the world suffering the rules of patriarchal culture, customs and illogical traditions that make them feel vulnerable and weak. They grow up never knowing how important their lives are and how to stand up for their rights. I'm glad Dalia took hammers to the glass boxes of expectations that tried to contain her and chose to live freely and pursue her dreams.
𖥔
The characters were real. The writing was easy, light, and raw as I squeezed it in two days. The plot was predictable yet the premise is enjoyable.
𖥔
The reason why I held myself from the last star is the too-pat romance relationship and the plain dialogue in some parts.
𖥔
Dalia holds an inspiring message to the readers to break the bonds of traditions and be who you chose to be. A story about love, self-acceptance, making mistakes, forgiving yourself, and moving forward. Highly recommended as your next quick read!

[Leen Alrefaee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"داليا" هي رواية للكاتبة الأردنية سارة بدوية، تستعرض أهمية القراءة بأنواعها وتأثيرها على المجتمع. الكتاب كُتب باللغة الإنجليزية أولاً، وهذه هي النسخة الأولى باللغة العربية.
تبدأ الرواية بداليا، التي تعيش في أحد الأحياء الشعبية في الأردن. تعاني الفتيات هناك من عدم إكمال دراستهن، حيث تُكرّس حياتهن للزواج والإنجاب وطاعة الزوج، دون أن يُؤخذ رأيهن في أي شيء. وقد تصل هذه الضغوط إلى حد الإجبار على الزواج أو ترك المدرسة. تعيش داليا مع أختيها التوأم، فاتن وريم، اللتين تصغرها بعدة أشهر، بالإضافة إلى والدتها المقعدة ووالدها المتسلط. تحلم داليا بتغيير واقع حيها التقليدي والجاهل، فتبدأ في القراءة ومحاولة إقناع من حولها بأهمية القراءة. لكن تواجه الرفض والانتقاد من الجميع، مما يصعّب عليها تحقيق حلمها. ومع ذلك، لا تتوقف داليا عن السعي لتحقيق حلمها. تبدأ العمل لدى سوزان، صاحبة سلسلة مكتبات مشهورة، ولكنها تضطر للعمل في الخفاء، حيث إن اكتشاف والدها أو أحد أولاد عمّاتها لذلك قد يعرض حياتها للخطر بدعوى الشرف. تبدأ مغامرة داليا في تحقيق حلمها عندما يكتشف والدها وأبناء عمومتها عملها، ولكن ذلك يحدث عبر شخص ما يتهمها بالطعن في شرفها، رغم براءتها. تتعرض داليا للقتل، ولكنها تنجو، مما يترك علامة على وجهها تذكرها بماضيها الأليم، وتمنحها القوة للاستمرار في نضالها. جعفر، ابن عمة داليا، هو شخص جاهل لم يكمل تعليمه، حيث ترك المدرسة ليصبح ميكانيكي. شخصيته تتشابه مع شخصية والد داليا إلى حد ما، مما يعكس القيم والتقاليد التي نشأ فيها. يقع جعفر في حب داليا، لكن داليا لا تبادله المشاعر، حيث ترفض أن تكون مثل أي امرأة في حيها. يتساءل الجميع عن مصير جعفر: هل سيجبر داليا على الزواج به لتصبح مجرد زوجة عادية، أم أنه سيتغير للأفضل؟ هل سيتخذ خطوة قاسية ويقتلها بدعوى الدفاع عن شرفه، أم أنه سيحميها ويساعدها في تحقيق أحلامها؟ تتداخل هذه الأسئلة مع الصراعات الداخلية والخارجية، مما يجعل القصة مليئة بالتوتر والتشويق.
رأي الشخصي حول الرواية يعكس أنها مشوقة ويمكن إنهاؤها في يوم واحد. تعكس الرواية قضايا مهمة مثل القتل بدعوى الشرف، ونظرة المجتمعات النائية للمرأة المتعلمة، ومعاملة النساء بشكل عام. كما تسلط الضوء على عمالة الأطفال وإجبارهم على ترك المدرسة للعمل في الحرف، مما يزيد من عمق القضايا الاجتماعية المطروحة.

"Dalia" is a novel by the Jordanian author Sara Badawiya, showcasing the importance of reading in all its forms and its impact on society. The book was initially written in English, and this is its first Arabic version.

The story begins with Dalia, who lives in a popular neighborhood in Jordan. The girls there face challenges in completing their education, as they are often devoted to marriage, childbearing, and obeying their husbands, without having their opinions considered. These pressures can escalate to the point of being forced into marriage or leaving school. Dalia lives with her twin sisters, Faten and Reem, who are several months younger than her, along with their disabled mother and authoritarian father.

Dalia dreams of changing the traditional and ignorant reality of her neighborhood, so she begins to read and tries to convince those around her of the importance of reading. However, she faces rejection and criticism from everyone, making it difficult for her to achieve her dream. Nevertheless, Dalia does not stop pursuing her aspirations. She starts working for Susan, the owner of a well-known chain of bookstores, but she has to do so in secret, as the discovery by her father or any of her male cousins could put her life in danger under the pretext of honor.

Dalia's adventure in pursuing her dream escalates when her father and cousins discover her work, spurred by someone who falsely accuses her of tarnishing their honor. Despite her innocence, Dalia is attacked, but she survives, leaving a mark on her face that reminds her of her painful past and gives her the strength to continue her struggle.

Jaafar, Dalia's cousin, is an uneducated young man who left school to become a mechanic. His character resembles that of Dalia's father, reflecting the values and traditions he was raised with. Jaafar falls in love with Dalia, but she does not reciprocate his feelings, as she refuses to be like any other woman in her neighborhood. This raises questions about Jaafar's fate: Will he force Dalia to marry him and become an ordinary wife, or will he change for the better? Will he take a drastic step and kill her in the name of defending his honor, or will he protect her and help her achieve her dreams? These questions intertwine with internal and external conflicts, making the story rich in tension and intrigue.

In my personal opinion, the novel is engaging and could be finished in a single day. It addresses significant issues such as honor-related killings, societal views on educated women, and the treatment of women in general. It also highlights child labor and the pressure on children to leave school for manual work, deepening the exploration of the social issues presented.

[Erna · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘This filthy neighbourhood we live in is like a prison cell where men act as its iron bars, preventing women from escaping. Come to think of it, the women here seem fine; it’s only me who wants out.
And getting out comes with a price.’ ~ Dalia, Sara Badawieh

Sara Badawieh’s second book, Dalia, is a hopeful tribute to the value of education, the comfort of books, and the strength of womanhood. Born in a ramshackle neighbourhood in Amman, Dalia’s path to education is a constant struggle. The predominantly patriarchal society reinforces the customs that keep women in their place, under lock and key, safely stored within domesticity. Whenever Dalia expresses any of her progressive ideas or wishes to attend further education, she is met with discouraging scoffs.

Her father, who’s struggling with his own trauma as well as the burden of untreated mental illness, is a violent man who doesn’t refrain from corporeal punishment and who marries off Dalia’s teenage sisters to very unsuitable men. After an incident at the bookshop where Dalia secretly works after school, she gets discovered by her father and her hunky cousin Jaafar and this triggers an avalanche of events that completely destroy Dalia’s world and she is forced to build herself a new one.

Whilst trying to collect the shattered fragments of her life, Dalia shows us the transformative power of education and reading. The novel ends on a hopeful and comforting note celebrating love, family, and emancipation.

[Nada Arafat · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب بجنن قصة بتاخدك تعيش معهم الاحداث ، فعلاً استمتعت بكل صفحة و انشديت بالقراءة لحتى اعرف شو رح يصير ، لغة الكتاب سهلة يعني حتى لو انت لغتك الانجليزي مش قوية ما رح تلاقي صعوبة فيها ...

نهاية خرافية الحمدللة سعيدة ... الشخصيات رح تنصدم فيها و بالتغير الحلو يلي رح يصير ... فعلا فعلا فعلا اكتر شخصية حبيتها هي جعفر ابن عمها لداليا يلي انا في بداية القصة كنت معصبة منه و مُستفزة ..

برافو سارة و بانتظار كتابك التالي ..

[Dana Shalabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I relly wanted to like this book for many reasons. First, I met the author  in person and I genuinely liked her . Second, I really wanted to claim that we have great Jordanian writers writing in English.  I am happy to say that  liking the book was easy to achieve.  I really did enjoy reading “Dalia” by Sara Badawieh.
“Dalia”, who this novel is named after, is a compelling strong willed young lady whose life is filled with obstacles preventing her from achieving her dreams.
Dalia comes from an impoverished neighbourhood.  She is surrounded by narrow-minded relatives , a domineering father, a disabled mother, two sisters to be marroed off before completing high-school , and no hope to live the life she wants to live.
Yet dispite all these hindrances, this young lady  has a dream to continue her education.  Her only solace in her,  otherwise dull life, is her love for reading . She takes to visiting a bookshop where she befriends the owner. She even ends up working in the bookshop after graduating from high-school in secret.
However, a rumor tarnishing her honor puts her at risk to losing her dreams amd her life. Yet, with the help of people who believe in her she manages to escape the threats and she even manages to establish herself as an advocate for reading and education.
But, dispite all her gains , Dalia still feels the need to mend her relationship with her father.
Read the book to know how this ends . Now, what did I think of it? Well, I thought the book has enough plot in it to keep me engaged. I even can see it becoming a screenplay as it is so action amd drama packed in a goid way.
Most of the characters are likable and believable. But, some of the characters like Suzanne, her husband and her daughter are too good to be true.
I also thought the romance and the subsequent character transformation of Jafar was a bit too hopeful for my cynical self. But then again, I do wish such things happen in real life and anything is possible in fiction.
All in all, these observations do not take away from the value of this book, or the enjoyable read it offers. I do recommend it to anyone seeking a novel combining strong women, romance, drama, and intrigue packed in one.
As my second read by the author I really liked it.

[faten · Rating 4 out of 5]

اسم الكتاب : داليا
اسم الكاتب : سارة بدوية
عدد الصفحات: 208
تقيمي : 4/5⭐️

دائما ما أشعر أني أختار الكتاب المناسب بالوقت المناسب وهذا ما حصل معي بروايه داليا ،خاصةً بهذا الوقت الذي أرى فيه الاضطهاد ضد المرأة بكافة اشكاله .. سارة بدوية تسلط الضوء بهذه الرواية حول وضع النساء بالمجتمعات العربية .. وطرحت عده قضايا مهمة وواقعية جداً من العنف ضد المراه وحرمانها من التعليم او ابداء رأيها .. والزواج المبكر ونظره المجتمع الذكوري حول الامراه انها شرف فقط مهملين انها ايضا انسان له احلامه وله مكانته بالمجتمع .. والموضوع الاكثر اهمية هو التوعية الفكرية والثقافية وكيف ممكن لنا نحن ك قراء ومؤثرين عبر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي ان نساعد في نشر عادة القراءه في المجتمع هذا ما احببته جدا بالرواية واعتقد ان ساره بدوية أبدعت بنقل الفكره بشكل رائع ، نأتي الى الرواية قصة داليا الفتاة العاشقه للكتب عاشقة للقراءه الفتاة ذات الشخصية القوية التي عانت من قبل والدها والمجتمع لارغامها على ترك ما تحلم به .. هروبها من المنزل بعد الظلم التي تعرضت له لتكمل طريقها ونجاحها وتحقق النجاح برغم كل الظروف الصعبه لم تيأس حتى الجرح الذي شوه وجهها لم يقف بطريق تحقيق حلمها ، لتصبح امل وقدوة لكثير من النساء . سارة قدمت لنا عمل رائع شخصيات واقعية عشنا معها الأحداث بكل تفاصيلها وربما وأنت تقرأ ترى داليا بكثير من نساء عرفتهم بمجتمعك ، اما عن اللغة كانت سهله وسلسله والحوارات عميقة سعيدة جدا بقراءتي لهذا العمل وانتظر المزيد من الأعمال للكاتبة..
اعجبني الغلاف جداً بكل تفاصيلة 🥰
اقتباسات أعجبتني ،
“Most people start their day with morning coffee, I need the smell of books,it’s my heroin, my daily addiction does”
“I want to create good in the world, I want to do something that affects humanity “
“ we live in this world to make other people happy, whenever you do something good for people you feel better about yourself “

[Reading_is_my_yoga · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Reading opens your mind; it teaches you everything about the world. It would be wonderful if I were powerful enough to create an awareness of reading for everyone in this country. I’m positive they would change drastically for the good.”
~
~
First of all, I'd like to thank @sara.badawieh for choosing me as the very first person to read her new book "Dalia". I became so invested in the story that I read it in one day. It's a story about an incredibly strong and driven young woman who lives a life of hardship.
~
Dalia is the oldest of three sisters living in a very poor and conservative neighborhood in Amman in Jordan. Her father is abusive, her mother tied to her bed since an accident. Dalia dreams of going to university and earning a PhD but her father has different plans. She also loves books and reading and secretly works at a bookstore. One day a misunderstanding leads to her reputation being destroyed and later to her mother's death. To cleanse the family name her father then wants to kill her.
~
The story was heartbreaking and sad but also full of hope. Dalia is a wonderful character I truly cared for. She goes through so many trials but with the help of her friends she endures and becomes an even stronger woman. The author, who lived in Amman herself, touches on many sensitive subjects, especially concerning women and women's rights, that occur in the Middle East.
~
I genuinely enjoyed reading "Dalia" so if you like to read a story about a driven woman facing societal challenges and overcoming obstacles this is the right story for you.

[Ronza Zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that drowns you in it to the extent that after finishing it… you feel that something is missing from your day? Or when the characters in the book feel so close to you that you literally believe they exist in your life?

This is exactly what reading Dalia feels like!

Beautifully and smoothly written.
The plot takes you on a wave of unfolding events where you might anticipate more than one scenario for what’s to come and so turning the next page becomes a race with words!

Dalia by Sara Badawieh is the kind of read that inspires hope, inner-strength and a will of iron. It’s the exciting reveal of the “before and after” Dalia who broke the chains of rotten traditions; she found her own voice and followed it through to the very end… to her own happily ever-after that is unrelated to anyone but her own self.

What is so beautiful about Sara Badawieh style of writing is that she surprises you with her characters; her novels always have this twist in the growth of certain characters who provoke the twist of events…it is always the unexpected with Sara which is truly an attractive feature in her novels.

Dalia is a sensational novel from the design of the cover to the content and context.

Dalia is a message to those living in fear of the world or even themselves: You CAN if you will!
You ARE the change!

Dalia is a beautiful gift from Sara, from the heart of Amman to the world!

[Raghad Muath · Rating 4 out of 5]

No wonder I am sharing my thoughts on Dalia in March, which most of us consider as the month of powerful and strong women, intelligent and determined women, of all women!

Dalia is not just a girl, Dalia is a thought, determination, a goal. Dalia is all of us women, and we are all Dalia. It's absolutely amazing to read by a local author about women empowerment along side the stereotype and local community of certain mindset that we try to face, fight, understand but not accept. I liked that the main character is a heroine fighting her way to leave a mark in her community, which is her whole world, through books! (extra points)

It's a fast-paced and enjoyable read, although some pages were slower than others for me because I couldn't wait to see what happens next and after that.

It just hit me, would Dalia and Samar (from Beige and Blue) be good friends? 🤔

[BooksAmyRead]

Dalia ya Dalia. The latest novel by Jordan's @sara.badawieh (spot the author in the background) tackles the dark side of Jordan, which sadly, still exists in our community today. An abusive father, who believes he owns his daughters, a community and family that support that ideology, and in the center of it all is Dalia, a young girl with simple dreams of obtaining an education, that seem so out of reach for her. How do you succeed in life, when all the odds are stacked against you. That's the story of this novel. It's about never giving up, and making the hard choices, impossible choices, to survive. Congrats to Sara on this latest work!

[Mariam Y Jabri · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I'd like to say that this book is one of the best books I've ever read for many reasons. In my opinion I don't like books who are not attracting from the beginning. But when I read the first sentence I couldn't stop. I won't say any spoilers, for they will ruin a large share of the book's plot. But overall this book raises a lot of awareness from many branches such as mental illness, misogyny, sexism, domestic violence, mental and physical abuse, and many more subjects. Definitely a recommendation for people who like to read realistic fiction!!!!

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A smooth read, very entertaining.

The book deals with major themes many Middle Eastern women go through during their lives, including: Sexism, patriarchalism, and violence. Dalia cruises through all this mess, carving her character along the way, while maintaining some her important core values of love and forgiveness.

Controversial ending, but the story surely provokes thought and heated discussions, and that’s what counts.

I enjoyed the read, recommended!

[Soha]

A must read especially for those aware of societal conflicts that arise in the Middle East. Dalia is inspirational, giving people hope that it is always possible to achieve ones dreams desire all obstacles. Forgiveness and empathy are also important themes that are addressed, showing that kindness never hurts. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

[Joud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my reading list for 2 years this year I finally decided to read it and it was the most perfect decision i made,finished this book in one setting it was amazing the story took me to another world i felt like i knew the characters .sara did an amazing work on this book cant wait to read more books by her.

[Lilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so far my second book for this author and I'm absolutely in love, in my opinion I liked this one more than the other one. The way she writes her books keeps you so attached till the very end and the fact of not knowing what will happen next is amazing and the twists...omg, it was such a page-turner for me I finished it at 4 am IN THE MORNING like I never stayed up that late just to finish a book, but this one... I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN....and the way she describes and writes about her characters makes you feel that you are literally living with them thus loving them and hating them based on that especially the antagonist jaafar I LOVED HIM SO MUCH..... usually when I finish a book I feel a little sad then it's over but with this book I felt that I left a whole world behind me....I've been always a crime book reader like since forever, but with her books they are not crime nor anything close, but I just love them and love the way she writes them, love her as a person and everything about her books is just amazing

[Anas Jarrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If people take a moment to think about all the type of powers around the world, they’d come with a lot of results like the power of wind, solar power, nuclear… and a lot more, but the questions is would anyone think about the power of word? A word can have massive effect, a word can cheer you up, and another can tire you down, a word can start a war, and another can bring peace, imagine what a book can do!

I have just finish reading this book, where the writer amazingly illustrates the power of a book how does it help the people choose to arm themselves with the power of words. A simple, unknown, drained, powerless little kid could make it through a very closed, uneducated, dark and unstable community by arming herself with determination and knowledge putting her life at stake to pursue her dream of changing people to better version of themselves. In every street if every town of every city there is a Dalia, a Dalia that suffers and going through hell like the Dalia in the book, however, not every one of those has the courage to say no to the unkindness of life and the brutal family members, those who think they are doing the right things based on poisoned thoughts were planted in them as they grew up.

Most of the people think that when the woman is educated, and she has the power of knowledge she grows some attitude of being shameless, ungrateful, cruel and insensitive. However, the book shows how Dalia was continuously develop a skill of facing these situations of a bravery and kindness and never harmed those destroyed her in the first place, at the contrary, she has been always there for them and she always has taken the initiative of forgiveness, and forgiveness takes a lot more strength than revenge.

I was amazed by how the writer put multiple issues in our community on the table and discussed them in way where the reader never got disconnected or confused. the whole book I was focused and attached to the characters and the way Dalia is affecting every single thing she touches.

At the end what we can learn from this book is, disregarding what the size of the action you do, good deeds always matter, which proves the butterfly effect theory. Reading is a powerful skill we all should have, if it doesn’t teach you anything it keeps your brain working which makes it a win-win situation. Always forgive those who you know that ignorance toke over them and put yourself in their shoes so you might understand what lays behind their action. Family matters and everyone is somehow redeemable, and we should never give up on people. And a lot more

[Tala Odeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dalia, an 18-year-old girl, carries a scar on her face that will likely catch your attention on the book’s cover. This scar is at the heart of our story.

Dalia shared with us the hardships she endured as a young woman in an Eastern society, especially in a neighborhood where education is seen as unimportant and even as a cause for the moral and intellectual corruption of girls. It is a place where women are expected to dedicate their lives solely to marriage and childbirth.

In this society, Dalia’s father saw her as an enemy. A harsh man, he spent his time either working or abusing his daughters, justifying his actions with the notion that, as a man, he was always right and that respecting women would diminish his masculinity. He forced his underage daughters into marrying men much older than them.

The turning point came when Dalia’s father found her injured at Aunt Susan’s library. She had twisted her ankle, and her coworker Hadi, a medical student, was by her side assessing the injury. Misunderstanding the situation, her father attempted to kill her under the guise of defending his “honor.” For the first time, Dalia’s mother stood against him, but the shock caused her to suffer a fatal heart attack. On that moment , Dalia received the scar on her face. She couldn’t bid her mother farewell or even explain what had happened.

By the end of the novel, Dalia escapes her oppressive home, seeking freedom and the chance to pursue her education. She fulfills her dream of raising awareness about the importance of reading and education, ultimately finding success in her mission. In the process, she reconciles with her father and mends their relationship.

The story also weaves in the tale of her love with her cousin Jaafar, but to uncover the details of their romance, you’ll need to read the book!

I thank Sarah for this novel. Its language is very accessible, and it sheds light on women’s struggles in our society, the importance of education and reading, child labor, and honor-related issues.

Dalia’s bravery reminds me of my mother — courageous, ambitious, and determined to achieve whatever she sets her mind to. I highly recommend this book!

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Dalia by Sara Badawieh is the kind of read that inspires hope, inner-strength. It's a story about an incredibly strong and driven young woman who lives a difficult life. The story was heartbreaking and sad but also full of hope.

•Dalia is the oldest sister in the family living in a very poor and conservative neighborhood in Amman in Jordan. She is surrounded by narrow-minded relatives, a domineering father, a disabled mother. Dalia dreams of going to university but her father has different plans. She secretly works at a bookstore. After an incident at the bookshop, she gets discovered by her father and that completely destroy Dalia’s world. She goes through so many problems but with the help of her friends she endures and becomes an even stronger woman.

Grab the book now ! To know what all happened with her.

•This book provides a look inside an deep-rooted patriarchal culture that we clearly get to see through Dalia's struggles. It pains me that there's still too many women in the world suffering the same and that make them feel vulnerable and weak.

•The flow of the book was good, it was easy to read page after page, it was simple, super emotional, with some unexpected things and all the descriptions, thoughts and feeling were clear to me and just helped with giving the plot a stronger impact.

•Appreciation for the writer for the words she has utilized. The author lived in Amman herself, so touches many sensitive subjects, especially related to women and women's rights.

•The emotions expressed through words and the writing skills of the author is impressive. The depth of words is maintained throughout the book. Actually I've no words, author has done a great job by creating this story.

•Recommendation? Yeah highly recommended to everyone who is reading this review.

[Buzzing BookHive · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐝 Heba:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dalia, a young woman navigating the weight of unspoken pain, societal expectations, and the complexities of family. A story about the strong resilience and quiet rebellion of a girl fighting the constraints of the society she was born into.

Her story is one of thousands we see and hear about every day and her triumphant journey gives hope to others that even when life seems bleak, your determination to live and willpower to reach somewhere will get you closer to your destination.

Dalia is enjoyable, emotional, easy to go through, and another win for women.

⸻

🐝 Jumana:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dalia tells the story of a teenager who gets her wings clipped by the society she lives in.
It discusses the importance of education, the freedom that comes with reading, and fighting societal stereotypes.
⚠️Spoiler⚠️: Dalia is stronger than me because the way she forgave her dad at the end?
I could never. I’m spiteful like that 💀

⸻

🐝 Dana:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a great novel to read, especially during teenage years, where one can learn a lot from the inspiring Dalia.
It touched on vital issues of our Arab communities. The book is fast-paced, as well as very easy to read for its language is really simple. The characters were also interesting!

⸻

🐝 Buthaina:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dalia had me flipping through the pages! It’s a fast and very enjoyable read and I loved the overall message it carried. I did find myself wishing the conversations had more depth. Some of them were so good, and I just wanted more!

[Faye Abdel · Rating 5 out of 5]

الرواية أثرت فيّ بشكل إيجابي جدًا وجعلتني أتمسك بالعلم والقراءة والتطور. أحببت فكرة أن “كل إنسان قارئ، لكن لكل شخص كتابه الخاص”. الرواية كذلك مناسبة للأعمار الصغيرة، لا تحتوي على أي شيء يخلّ بالأخلاق، بل تدعم المرأة بطريقة إيجابية.

أكثر ما شدّني هو تسليط الضوء على الفتيات اللواتي يواجهن التهميش والاضطهاد في بعض المجتمعات. هذا الواقع يطرح تساؤلًا مهمًا: كيف يمكننا إحداث تغيير حقيقي؟ أؤمن أن العلم والوعي هما البداية للتطوير وتحقيق العدالة.

أسلوب الرواية بسيط وسلس، مناسب لجميع الأعمار، وملهم لمن يبحث عن التمسك بالأمل رغم الصعوبات.


The novel had a very positive impact on me, encouraging me to hold onto learning, reading, and personal growth. I loved the idea that “everyone is a reader, but each person has their own book.” The novel is also suitable for younger audiences, as it contains nothing that compromises morals or values. On the contrary, it supports women in a very positive way.

What stood out to me the most was how the story highlights girls who face marginalization and oppression in certain communities. This reality raises an important question: How can we create real change? I believe that education and awareness are the starting points for progress and achieving justice.

The novel’s writing style is simple and smooth, making it accessible for readers of all ages. It is inspiring for anyone seeking hope and perseverance despite life’s challenges.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

☕ I love stories which feature strong woman, a strong woman is not someone who is not broken, rather a strong woman is someone who decides to fight no matter what and that's what Dalia is, I'm so happy that I picked this book because it was all worth it. After going through so much, the ultimate question is, what was all this for? The book talks about a lot of things which is very important in social and humanitarian point of view, Dalia is such a well built character who not just gives out multiple life lessons to her readers but also this book is going to change a lot of lives I believe.
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In and out, I felt broken as well as empowered by the plot, patriarchy is the root of all the problems they say which is true in a way and I really liked how such sensitive topics were handled by author Sara, there is a feel in her writing which makes a strong connection with the characters and readers and I certainly developed an immense connection with Dalia which inserted me in her situations and I could feel they're mine. This is a story of girl who is ready to chase her dreams no matter what.
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I think everyone should read it at least once, go for it. I will definitely recommend it. It's a life changing read I must say.
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Rating: 4.5⭐️

[علاء القسوس · Rating 5 out of 5]

مراجعة رواية (داليا) للكاتبة الأردنية سارة بدوية
بقلم : علاء القسوس
داليا فتاة في الثامنة عشر من عمرها تتشوه سُمعتها نتيجة حدثٍ معين و تُطارَد من قِبَل والدها و عائلتها و لكنها تنجح في الهروب و تتغلب على العقبات واحدة واحدة بمثابرتها و مساعدة الأشخاص من حولها و تصبح أهم مؤثرة على مواقع التواصل الإجتماعي في تحفيز الناس عن القراءة و كيف ساهمت قراءة الكتب في توسيع آفاق الناس و ساعدتهم على تغيير حياتهم نحو الأفضل و بالرغم من كل هذا النجاح الذي حققته داليا إلا أنه كان ينقصها شيء أخير ألا و هو مواجهة مخاوفها القديمة وجهاً لوجه تُرى كيف ستواجه الماضي الأليم مرة أخرى ؟ هذا ما سوف ترونه جميعاً عند قراءتكم لهذه الرواية الرائعة . إنها رواية مُلهِمة عن قوة الكتب على التغيير و عن قوة المرأة و تحديها للتقاليد البالية في المجتمعات الذكورية التي تنظر للمرأة على أنها مجرد أداة للإنجاب و أنها مجرد جسد من وجهة نظرهم و أفقهم الضيق و أن مفهوم الشرف بالنسبة لهذه المجتمعات يتحدد بالمرأة وحدها و ما يتعلق بجسدها و تناولت الرواية و سلّطت الضوء على جرائم الشرف و أن المرأة التي تعتنق المبدأ الذكوري هي أخطر على المرأة بكثير من الرجل و هذا ما سوف ترونه في الرواية بأنفسكم و أريد أن أشيد هنا بترجمة المبدعة فيكتوريا عيسى و أرجو أن أقرأ أعمالاً أجنبية من ترجمتها .

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dalia” by Sara Badawieh might be a fictional story, but it’s based on real life atrocities or what we call “honour crimes.” Unfortunately, this is a reality for many girls, in this time and age, who are abused & killed in the name of honour. In my opinion, nothing justifies the killing of any soul. I met the author and what she told me sums up this story. She said, “There is a Dalia in each one of us.” I couldn’t agree more. I saw parts of me in Dalia for sure, but there were also parts that I couldn’t agree with like any work of fiction. All in all, it was a good read. I was standing on my tiptoes wanting to know how things will turn out.

Lastly, I loved this quote from the book:

“I’ve missed that smell, the texture of the pages, and most of all I’ve missed myself when I read.”

[Varsha VP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Sara for an inspiring tale that is gripping, kept me reading to see how Dalia copes and overcomes the situation.

Cultural restrictions rooted in ignorance, a crucial part - has been portrayed starkly, makes it difficult to take in, yet it is probably a reality for many.

The development of the relationship between the main characters were done beautifully, evolving from contrasting individuals to ones that understand and elevate each other.

Overall, must say that storytelling has matured significantly from the first book. You’ve tackled the subjects with realism and honesty.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The synopsis of the book has really caught my attention, I can't wait fo read it.

[Yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jarring and magnetic novel, portraying strength of woman despite struggles and hardships. I highly recommend. <3

[Baker Alayyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Beautifully written story that shows the courage of a young lady in the darkest of times and overcoming challenges when everyone is against her.

A story that will brings you mixed emotions (sadness, anger, happy, laughter, regret...etc.)

A story that reflect on habits and traditions in the community that some of them must be gone forever.

A novel that is a must read.