Zeina
By: Nawal El Saadawi ; translated from the Arabic by Amira Nowaira
Contributors: Nowaira, Amira, translator
Published: 2011
Language: eng
Number of pages: 251
ISBN-13: 9780863564178
Subjects: Women; Erzahlung; Arabisch; Mothers and daughters; Abandoned children; Fiction
Description: Bodour, a distinguished literary critic and university professor, carries with her a dark secret. As a young university student, she fell in love with a political activist and gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Zeina, whom she abandoned on the streets of Cairo. Zeina grows up to become one of Egypt's most beloved entertainers, despite being deprived of a name and a home. In contrast, Bodour remains trapped in a loveless marriage, pining for her daughter. In an attempt to find solace she turns to literature, writing a fictionalised account of her life. But then the novel goes missing. Bodour is forced on a journey of self discovery, reliving and reshaping her past and her future. Will Bodour ever discover who stole the novel? Is there any hope of her being reunited with Zeina?
Notes: "First published in Arabic by Dar al Saqi in 2009"--Title page verso.

Translated from the Arabic.