A modern classic of Arab women’s literature—and a poignant reminder of the enduring plight of oppressed women around the globe

“Brilliantly drawn . . . Al-Shaykh is one of the Arab world’s most distinguished writers.”—The Guardian

In an unnamed desert state, four very different women—Suha, Tamr, Suzanne, and Nur—struggle to cope in a society where they are treated to every luxury but freedom. Through their experiences, acclaimed Lebanese novelist Hanan al-Shaykh lays bare the unusual and highly charged relations that exist in a state that denies women their humanity.

First published in 1988, Women of Sand and Myrrh is not only an elegant, moving novel of lasting impact, but also a powerfully revealing insight into a long-cloistered world.