Play Book Tag discussion

Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi - 4* - My Review

Set in a village near Muscat, Oman, this novel is a saga of two families related by marriage over multiple decades. It focuses on three sisters and their mostly unhappy marriages, and on Abdullah, husband of one of the sisters. Eldest sister Mayya agrees to marry a man selected by her parents. Middle sister Asma marries in order to pursue her education. Youngest sister Khawla refuses to marry anyone but the man she loves, who has gone to Canada. Abdullah is Mayya’s husband. He is haunted by a traumatic childhood punishment meted out by his father.

The story is told via multiple points of view in a nonlinear sequence of fragmented scenes. Topics include the changing views of marriage, class distinctions, and emerging educational opportunities for women. It provides a look at the culture and traditions in Oman, and the manner in which they have changed. Slavery was abolished in 1970, and the traditional views about slavery play a role in the story. It also references folklore and rituals. It requires the reader’s close attention, as well as a bit of patience for the many shifts among characters and timelines.

I always appreciate learning more about our world, and it is refreshing to find a story set in Oman by an Omani author. I enjoyed the included poetry excerpts and elements of the country’s history embedded into the narrative. I was less enthused about the fragmented structure, which made it more difficult to feel fully immersed in the storyline. I read the English translation from the original Arabic. It has inspired me to seek out non-fiction to learn more about Oman’s history.

PBT Steeplechase: Tagged Women Writers x12:
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BWF February Extra A - Fits letter & tagged "authors of color" x9:
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