I Saw Her in My Dreams

I Saw Her in My Dreams is a novel that explores interpersonal and systemic violence through the lens of a relationship between an Omani artist and an Ethiopian domestic worker. It prompts Zahiyya to confront her anxieties and prejudices and read Fanheeshs diaries in search of answers. It also explores the anti-Blackness that has endured in the Arab world and elsewhere.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

I Saw Her in My Dreams is a powerful novel that delves into the intricate themes of interpersonal and systemic violence, examining them through the lens of a complex relationship between Zahiyya, an anxious middle-class Omani artist, and Faneesh, an Ethiopian domestic worker she hires. As Zahiyya's husband Amer, a novelist, embarks on a journey to Zanzibar in search of his biological mother, she is left to confront her own anxieties and prejudices. In this challenging time, both Zahiyya and Faneesh begin to experience recurring nightmares, prompting Zahiyya to delve into Fanheesh's diaries in search of answers.

Alone and afraid, Zahiyya delves into excerpts from Amer's novel, written from his father's diaries about his experiences in Zanzibar. These excerpts shed light on Amer's deep connection with a Zanzibari woman, whose absence continues to haunt him. Through the weaving of multiple perspectives and stories within stories, the novel explores the enduring anti-Blackness that has existed in the Arab world and beyond, offering a nuanced and honest portrayal without resorting to sensationalism or self-Orientalization.

The novel intricately weaves together the lives of Zahiyya, Amer, and Fanheesh, exploring the complexities of their relationships and the societal pressures that shape their experiences. It sheds light on the struggles of marginalized communities, the complexities of identity, and the power of empathy and understanding.

I Saw Her in My Dreams is a profound exploration of the human condition, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant narrative that will leave readers contemplating the complexities of our world and the importance of compassion and empathy.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477326961