Deeply fond of literature and writing, Rose’s life is turned upside down when her mother dies. She is placed under her uncle’s guardianship and prevented from pursuing her literary studies in Damascus. Isolated from the outside world, Rose writes about her frustration and anger in her diary. But her entries also reveal her writing skills and storytelling abilities. The novel is situated in Dubai in the 1960s, a crucial point in history that witnesses the beginning of oil extraction, urban transformation, and political events which lead to the United Arab Emirates’ foundation as a federation in 1971. In a rich and poetic style, Reem Al Kamali’s novel takes us through Rose’s psychological turmoil while skillfully depicting various aspects of the society around her that are undergoing far-reaching changes.

Approximate number of pages: 223 p.

Foreign rights: contact the publisher