#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