LAILA
Although the Arabic world is as diverse as any other region, customs and traditions endure. Injustices continue. And then there is Laila. Trapped in a marriage to a man she finds physically revolting, Laila begins to realize secret truths about her sexuality, about her very identity as a modern Jordanian woman. “Good” Arab women may have occasional lurid fantasies about dominating men in bed… but Laila actually finds the strength to do it. And when she dies suddenly in an encounter with a lover, the stakes for the survivors become a matter of life and death. In LAILA, Fadi Zaghmout gives voice to the Arab woman to put men in her society on trial.
يذهب فادي زغموت إلى الجانب الآخر ليقدم لنا صورة إمرأة تعاني تناقضات المجتمع الشرقي الذكوري بكل ظلمه وعنفه. رواية تتذرع بحبكة شبه بوليسية لفحص طبيعة العلاقة بين الرجل الرجل والمرأة في مجتمعاتنا الشرقية، وكيف تشوه أفرادها بقمع رغباتهم وطبائعهم تحت دعوة العادات والتقاليد.
** For other languages translation rights, contact me directly: fadizaghmout@yahoo.com
To me, this is an unusual narrative. I mean this in a positive light. I was thrilled, chilled, and haunted by my perception of toxic relationships. I think I get why Fadi Zaghmout went to all the trouble to expose toxic masculinity. There’s no delicate way to put this: it’s full of immodest details that are justified. He struck the right balance.
Andrea Smith
Published: 202
Publisher: Signal8Press
Translated by: Hajer Almosleh
Audio Book
LAILA
Experience LAILA by listening to it as an audio book on audible. Read by Natasha Vincent.
في برنامج في الممنوع مع جمانة حداد
Selected Reviews from Goodreads
“Loved it. The book talks about the pressure and image that Arab women are often forced to represent. It gives a good glimpse into the reality of the many challenges that Arab women face. The author did a wonderful job of describing these challenges and just what is at risk when women go against what is expected of them. I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick and short read into the reality of Arab women.”
Mana
“Excellent book
I finished the book in two hour time I admire the authors courage he is one of not too many in our culture who would have the guts to break those kind of taboos where most of people are aware yet too hesitant to say it loud and clear
Excellent job
Keep up the good work
I am a big fan of your books”
Grace
“(spoiler) Such a strong one of a kind novel, I personally was searching far too long for any work of Arabic literature that portraits women as the leader of the relationship, so when I first read this I was finally satisfied, thank you for that. Now as for the characters I could find a strong connection between Laila and Tareq, so I sympathized with the two of them, however at the end I couldn’t but to feel happy for the death sentence, it can symbolize the end of the macho patriarchy era so I didn’t find any sympathy in me towards Firas. I like the storyline so much and you know you could’ve given us more flashbacks to the characters’ childhood, and more insight to the characters’ psyche, this novel could’ve been way longer if you invested more into it and you owe us that being the first author to examine such plot twist. Please write something similar soon and thank you so much!”
Hiba Roza
PAGE-TURNER!
“I really enjoyed every second of reading LAILA. It made me smile, laugh & frown. The storyline, character development and the narration is brilliant. It’s painfully honest & interesting read.”
Mahmoud Hassan
Fadi Zaghmout 