The Sand Fish

by Maha Gargash

Overview

A novel of Dubai, The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash offers readers a fascinating glimpse into another corner of the world. Set in the 1950s in what is now the United Arab Emirates, The Sand Fish tells the poignant and powerful story of a rebellious young woman trapped in a repressive society—as richly atmospheric a look at Middle Eastern life and culture as The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Alaa Al Aswany’s The Yacoubian Building.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061744679
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/20/2009
Pages:	361
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Maha Gargash, an Emirati born in Dubai to a prominent business family, has studied in Washington, D.C., and London. With her degree in radio/television, she joined Dubai Television to pursue her interest in documentaries. Through directing her television programs, which deal mainly with traditional Arab societies, she became involved in research and scriptwriting. Her first novel, The Sand Fish, was an international bestseller. 

Editorial Reviews

Unadorned, poetic language, filled with well-integrated cultural detail. . . . [A] terrific choice for bookclub discussions. . . . This may find appeal with fans of The Kite Runner.” — Booklist

“Gargash weaves an enticing tale of a fiery, independent woman. . . . Intimate, well-paced prose. . . . An exciting, passion-filled read that illuminates an intriguing culture through the eyes and experience of a fiesty heroine.” — Publishers Weekly

“A young woman’s story opens a window into Dubai on the verge of modernity. . . . Seaside and desert locales, along with the transitional time period, give a fresh twist to this standard tradition-versus-modernity plotline. . . . Her setting is original.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Gargash’s poignant plot will appeal to diehard fans of world literature.” — Library Journal

From the Publisher

Unadorned, poetic language, filled with well-integrated cultural detail. . . . [A] terrific choice for bookclub discussions. . . . This may find appeal with fans of The Kite Runner.

Booklist

Unadorned, poetic language, filled with well-integrated cultural detail. . . . [A] terrific choice for bookclub discussions. . . . This may find appeal with fans of The Kite Runner.

Booklist

A young woman's story opens a window into Dubai on the verge of modernity. Teenaged Noora lives with her brothers and her father in an isolated area of the current-day United Arab Emirates. It's the 1950s, the period just before the UAE exploded due to oil trade with the West. Noora's home is a stone hut; she milks goats and sleeps on a mattress she rolls out every evening. Her dad suffers from dementia, so Noora's oldest brother, Sager, takes it upon himself to marry her off. A series of events leads to Noora's betrothal to Jassem, a rich pearl merchant who lives seven days away by sea passage. She knows she should be grateful to be lifted out of poverty, but this strong-willed girl with a taste for independence does not fall easily into the role of Jassem's third wife. Seaside and desert locales, along with the transitional time period, give a fresh twist to this standard tradition-versus-modernity plotline; it's unfortunate that none of the characters are as novel. Lateefa, the first wife, is a blend of mother figure and puppeteer, quietly shaping the family to her own design from underneath her burka. Shamsa, the beautiful second wife, is jealous of Noora and ashamed that she could not produce what her rival soon will-a son. Noora is just another in a long line of strong-willed female protagonists. Jassem is a smart businessman and a decent husband for the times, though his power over his wives and the contrast between their captivity and his freedom will shock modern-day Western readers. Gargash's debut has a predictable plotline and cookie-cutter characters, but her setting is original.

Kirkus Reviews