Sarmada

by Fadi Azzam

Sarmada, Arabic for “perpetuate” or “the eternally-not-changed,” is the novel’s fictitious setting. In the title, Fadi Azzam creates a new word (a derivative female form of noun-verb, which does not exist in Arabic) and in so doing immediately lets the reader know that women are the protagonists of this story that spans several generations, from Syria to Paris and back again. The novel is set in the Druze area and is a declaration of love for tolerance and for the peaceful coexistence of the many religious groups that live in close proximity. Myths, communists, nationalists, murder, illicit love, superstition, erotic trees and women’s breasts make up the tapestry of this strange, beautifully writen, first novel. Fadi Azzam narrates, just as he writes Sarmada is direct, ruthless and full of fire.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2021

About the author

Fadi Azzam (Arabic: فادي عزام) is a Syrian journalist and fiction writer.
He studied Arabic at Damascus University and graduated in 1998. He now lives and works in the United Arab Emirates.
His first collection of short stories "Thahtaniat" was published in March 2010.
His debut novel Sarmada has been translated into English.

Reviews

[dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off really strong but towards the end the only saving grace was the beautiful writing. That's it.