A woman reeling from a disastrous love affair finds love and hope in Shakespeare and Palestine. 'A novel to savour' SUNDAY TIMES 'A vital storyteller' ALI SMITH After years away from her family's homeland, and reeling from a disastrous love affair, actress Sonia Nasir returns to Haifa to visit her older sister Haneen. On her arrival, she finds her relationship to Palestine is fragile, both bone-deep and new. When Sonia meets the charismatic Mariam, a local director, she joins a production of Hamlet in the West Bank. Soon, Sonia is rehearsing with a dedicated, if competitive, group of men - yet as opening night draws closer, it becomes clear just how many obstacles stand before the troupe. Amidst it all, the life she once knew starts to give way to the exhilarating possibility of finding a new self in her ancestral home. 'Captivating...deeply moving' HARPER'S BAZAAR 'Powerful... Hammad is a pretty flawless writer' THE TIMES A GRANTA BEST YOUNG BRITISH NOVELIST * A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST AND VULTURE *
Isabella Hammad Books
This author explores profound human experiences through a discerning lens on modern life. Their works are celebrated for atmospheric quality and psychological depth, drawing readers into complex relationships and internal character struggles. Readers will appreciate their ability to capture the subtle nuances of human nature and the societal forces that shape our lives.



The Parisian
- 576 pages
- 21 hours of reading
'A sublime reading experience- delicate, restrained, surpassingly intelligent, uncommonly poised and truly beautiful' Zadie Smith **WINNER OF THE BETTY TRASK AWARD 2020** Midhat Kamal - dreamer, romantic, aesthete - leaves Palestine in 1914 to study medicine in France, under the tutelage of Dr Molineu. He falls deeply in love with Jeannette, the doctor's daughter. But Midhat soon discovers that everything is fragile- love turns to loss, friends become enemies and everyone is looking for a place to belong. Through Midhat's eyes we see the tangled politics and personal tragedies of a turbulent era - the Palestinian struggle for independence, the strife of the early twentieth century, and the looming shadow of the Second World War. Lush and immersive, and devastating in its power, The Parisian is an elegant, richly-imagined debut from a dazzling new voice in fiction. *SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2020* *SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD FICTION AWARD 2019*
Exploring the Palestinian struggle, this compelling essay delves into the significance of narrative in shaping identity and resilience. The author, recognized for her literary contributions, offers a poignant reflection on personal and collective experiences, highlighting the impact of storytelling in times of conflict. Through a blend of personal insights and broader social commentary, the work emphasizes the importance of voice and memory in the face of adversity, inviting readers to engage deeply with the complexities of the Palestinian experience.