? Zahra Barri’s debut novel Daughters of the Nile weaves together the stories of three Egyptian women, each from a different generation of the Bin-Khalid family. The novel delves into themes of religion, sexuality, and feminism while shedding light on Egypt’s complex sociopolitical landscape.

The novel moves between different timelines. Readers are introduced to Fatiha Bin-Khalid, a feminist fighting for women’s rights in political revolution. We then meet Yasminah — Fatiha’s daughter— who faces an arranged marriage after she’s caught having a controversial romance. Next, there’s Nadia — Yasminah’s niece — who battles with workplace sexism as she navigates her own identity. The book is controversial, with each narrative tackling some form of cultural taboo. Barri handles these themes with sensitivity to argue that personal freedom is often sacrificed for tradition.

Barri’s prose is both poetic and sharp. Her portrayal of Muslim women is refreshingly multifaceted, challenging stereotypes and bringing to life the resilience, intelligence, and complexity of her characters.

You can find the book at Diwan.

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