Out Of It - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9992195223 ISBN 13: 9789992195222

Synopsis

Gaza is being bombed. Rashid - an unemployed twenty-seven year old who has stayed up smoking grass watching it happen - wakes to hear that he's got the escape route he's been waiting for: a scholarship to London. His twin sister, Iman - frustrated by the atrocities and inaction around her - has also been up all night, in a meeting that offers her nothing but more disappointment. Grabbing recklessly at an opportunity to make a difference, she finds herself being followed by an unknown fighter.

Meanwhile Sabri, the oldest brother of this disparate family, works on a history of Palestine from his wheelchair as their mother pickles vegetables and feuds with the neighbours.

Written with extraordinary humanity and humour, and moving between Gaza, London and the Gulf, Out of It is a tale that redefines Palestine and its people. It follows the lives of Rashid and Iman as they try to forge paths for themselves in the midst of occupation, religious fundamentalism and the divisions between Palestinian factions. It tells of family secrets, unlikely love stories and unburied tragedies as it captures the frustrations and energies of the modern Arab world.

About this title

Review:

An original and vivid voice. Full of energy, this is a new and welcome take on the Palestinian story (Ahdaf Soueif)

This brave,important new writer draws us right into the beating heart of contemporary Arab life in all its vigour and complexity (Maggie Gee)

A punchy first novel by a British Palestinian lawyer ... Beautifully observed ... the plot races and the voices are strong. The reader follows each person down the chosen path and, crucially, cares what becomes of them (The Times)

[Dabbagh's] talent for nailing detail is evident ... The author's assured command of her material means she can switch registers with ease, interleaving escalating tension and welcome humour ... Dabbagh herself scores highly with her debut novel (Independent)

This is a very successful debut novel ... The writing is both literary and accessible, fast-paced, passionate, exuberant and heart-lurching. We'll be hearing much more from Selma Dabbagh (Guardian)

A remarkable debut showing the different ways people cope living in political turmoil. I loved it. (Sue Leonard The Irish Examiner)

Book Description:

Moving from Palestine to London to the Gulf, this unique novel brilliantly depicts modern-day family life in Gaza

About this edition

• ISBN 10: 9992195223
• ISBN 13: 9789992195222
• Binding: Paperback