Celestial Bodies: by Jokha Alharthi

By Richard Alagbe

The short: 

Celestial Bodies is a novel which talked about the changes in Oman, from the tradition time till today. The novel explores the changes in the society of Oman through the life of three sisters. 

The long: 

The novel focuses on the life of three sisters Mayya, Asma, and Khawla, who all were married but were not happy in their marriages. The novel reflects Oman society and religion through their marriages as Mayya was married to a man she barely knows or loves. Asma married Khalid, an artist who believes women don't have a say in marriage. Khawla marries her childhood friend Nasir who is not committed to the marriage. The novel moves between generations.

It also is the first novel originally written in Arabic to ever win the Man Booker International Prize (in 2019), and the first book by a female Omani author to be translated into English.

To read or not to read: 

To read!!! The novel educates us more about the difference and change in the generation and the freedom women enjoy today. Despite the fact that the sisters were not happy in their marriages, they couldn't speak up or challenge the status quo, their female children enjoyed more freedom in the new generation. It shows how the region has grown socially.