Velvet: A Novel

Hawa is a child of the grinding hardship of a Palestinian refugee camp. She has had to survive the camp itself, as well as the humiliation and destruction of an abusive family life. But now, later in life, something most unexpected has happened: she has fallen in love. Velvet unfolds over a day in Hawa’s life, as she makes plans for a new beginning that may take her out of the camp. She sifts back through her memories of the past: the stories of her family, her childhood, and her beloved mentor, who invited her into the glamorous world of the rich women of Amman. This is a novel of enormous power and great beauty. Rich in detail, it tells of the women of the camp, and the joy and relief that can be captured amid repression and sorrow.

WINNER OF THE NAGUIB MAHFOUZ MEDAL FOR LITERATURE
WINNER OF THE 202 SAIF GHOBASH BANIPAL PRIZE FOR ARABIC LITERARY TRANSLATION
ONE OF THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT ARABIC NOVELS OF THE 21ST CENTURY (THE NATIONAL)

"This is a deeply human book. . . . a masterwork."–Omar El Akkad, LitHub

A novel of enormous power and great beauty, in which a Palestinian woman raised in a refugee camp learns to sew which helps her to construct a life

Hawwa is a child of the grinding hardship of a Palestinian refugee camp. She has had to survive the camp itself, as well as the humiliation and destruction of an abusive family. But now, in her middle years something most unexpected has happened: she has fallen in love.

Velvet unfolds over a day in Hawwa’s life, as she makes plans for a new beginning. She sifts through her memories: stories of her family, her childhood, and her beloved mentor, Sitt Qamar, who among other gifts, taught her to sew, and most importantly, taught her to value herself.

Velvet is the story of one woman’s resilience, her unyielding sensuality, and the enduring bonds that make living bearable.

• | Author: Huzama Habayeb, Kay Heikkinen
• | Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press
• | Publication Date: Aug 20, 2019
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9789774169304
• | ISBN-10: 9774169301