Bitter Orange Tree

In "Bitter Orange Tree," a Man Booker International Prize-winning author explores the life of an Omani woman in Britain, reflecting on relationships and the challenges of assimilation. The novel seamlessly shifts between past and present, memory and folklore, offering a profound exploration of social status, wealth, desire, and female agency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

An extraordinary novel from a Man Booker International Prize-winning author, "Bitter Orange Tree" follows one young Omani woman as she builds a life for herself in Britain and reflects on the relationships that have shaped her. Marilyn Booth's agile translation from Arabic brings forth a stirring tale of a woman who battles every social and religious constraint. The novel juxtaposes the narrator's reflections on modern life and the speed of change with the historical narrative of Bint Aamir's challenging circumstances. As the narrative unfolds, Zuhour, an Omani student at a British university, is caught between the past and the present, attempting to form friendships and assimilate in Britain while ruminating on the relationships that have been central to her life.

Most prominent is her strong emotional bond with Bint Aamir, a woman she always thought of as her grandmother, who passed away just after Zuhour left the Arabian Peninsula. As the historical narrative of Bint Aamir's circumstances unfurls in captivating fragments, so too does Zuhour's isolated and unfulfilled present, one narrative segueing into another as time slips and dreams mingle with memories.

The eagerly awaited new novel by the winner of the Man Booker International Prize, "Bitter Orange Tree," is a profound exploration of social status, wealth, desire, and female agency. It presents a mosaic portrait of one young woman's attempt to understand the roots she has grown from. The novel delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and the search for belonging, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant narrative that will leave readers pondering the intricacies of human relationships and the power of storytelling.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 131 x 198 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471193927