#34 Celestial Bodies, by Jokha Alharthi

 








Booker Prize:  WINNER INTERNATIONAL BOOKER 2019

Plot Time and Place: A village in Oman, at various times during the 20th century.

Opening sentence: "Mayya, forever immersed in her Singer sewing machine, seemed lost to the outside world".

Plot summary:  In an Omani village, we encounter three sisters: Mayya, who marries Abdallah after a heartbreak; Asma, who marries from a sense of duty; and Khawla, who rejects all offers while waiting for her beloved, who has emigrated to Canada. These three women and their families witness Oman evolve from a traditional society to its complex present.

Review: I enjoyed the beautiful writing style, alternating between different characters' voices. I also liked getting to know such a different culture. 

Rating:  3/5








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