The Sand Fish: A Novel from Dubai
By (Author) Maha Gargash
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
HarperPerennial
18th May 2010
1st November 2009
United States
General
Fiction
823.92
Paperback
368
Width 135mm, Height 203mm, Spine 21mm
324g
A novel of Dubai, The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash offers readers a fascinating glimpse into another corner of the world. Set in the 1950s in what is now the United Arab Emirates, The Sand Fish tells the poignant and powerful story of a rebellious young woman trapped in a repressive society-as richly atmospheric a look at Middle Eastern life and culture as The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Alaa Al Aswany's The Yacoubian Building.
"Unadorned, poetic language, filled with well-integrated cultural detail... [A] terrific choice for bookclub discussions... This may find appeal with fans of The Kite Runner." -- Booklist "Gargash weaves an enticing tale of a fiery, independent woman... Intimate, well-paced prose... An exciting, passion-filled read that illuminates an intriguing culture through the eyes and experience of a fiesty heroine." -- Publishers Weekly "A young woman's story opens a window into Dubai on the verge of modernity... Seaside and desert locales, along with the transitional time period, give a fresh twist to this standard tradition-versus-modernity plotline... Her setting is original." -- Kirkus Reviews "Gargash's poignant plot will appeal to diehard fans of world literature." -- Library Journal
Maha Gargash was born in Dubai. In 1985, she joined Dubai Radio and Television to pursue her interest in documentaries. Through directing television programs, which deal mainly with traditional Arab societies, she became involved in research and scriptwriting, work which evolved into The Sand Fish.