Amreekiya A Novel
Amreekiya, a novel by Lena Mahmoud, published by University Press of Kentucky on October 26, 2018, presents the story of Isra Shadi, a twenty-one-year-old woman of mixed Palestinian and white descent living in California. After the death of her mother and her father’s abandonment, Isra navigates life with her paternal uncle, aunt, and cousins, who pressure her to marry. The narrative unfolds as she rejects several suitors before marrying Yusef, an old love, while exploring her identity amidst cultural tensions.
In Amreekiya, readers will find a dual narrative that alternates between Isra’s youth and her experiences as a married woman grappling with her cultural heritage. The chapters delve into her parents’ tumultuous relationship, the complexities of her marriage with Yusef, and her first visit to Palestine. Mahmoud addresses themes such as sexism, the impact of language on identity, and the nature of love amidst pain, offering a nuanced exploration of womanhood from a unique perspective in American literature. This edition spans 194 pages and is presented in English.
Official synopsis Publisher
Isra Shadi, a twenty-one-year-old woman of mixed Palestinian and white descent, lives in California with her paternal amu (uncle), amtu (aunt), and cousins after the death of her mother and abandonment by her father at a young age. Ever the outcast in her amu and amtu’s household, they eagerly encourage Isra to marry and leave. After rejecting a string of undesirable suitors, she marries Yusef, an old love from her past.
In Amreekiya, author Lena Mahmoud deftly juggles two storylines, alternating between Isra’s youth and her current life as a married twentysomething who is torn between cultures and trying to define herself. The chapters chronicle various moments in Isra’s narrative, including the volatile relationship of her parents and the trials and joys of forging a partnership with Yusef. Mahmoud also examines Isra’s first visit to Palestine, the effects of sexism, how language affects identity, and what it means to have a love that overcomes unbearable pain.
An exploration of womanhood from an underrepresented voice in American literature, Amreekiya is simultaneously unique and relatable. Featuring an authentic array of characters, Mahmoud’s first novel is a much-needed story in a divided world.
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