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Water and Salt

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Water and Salt (Ma' wa Milh) by Algerian novelist Sarah Ennams is a poignant romantic and political novel; tracing an extraordinary love story built through letters between a young woman in Khan Yunis and a Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail, illustrating resistance, love under siege, and the pursuit of freedom.

About this book

Drawing its title from the symbolic "salt and water" used by Palestinian prisoners during hunger strikes against occupational captivity, the novel unfolds as an emotional narrative of resistance and devotion. The plot follows Salma, a young woman living under siege in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, who engages in an intense letter-writing connection with Faris, an inmate held in Ashkelon Prison. Through their written exchanges, they share personal vulnerabilities, hopes for an unbridled future, and dreams of traversing their homeland without military checkpoints or barriers. Suspense builds as Salma seeks to uncover the true identity of her correspondent: is he truly a humble mechanic, or is he actually "Karam," a wanted resistance activist targeted by authorities? Ennams masterfully balances the harsh realities of incarceration and blockade with a tender love story that defies physical borders.

Why read it?

It offers an evocative and deeply moving portrait of Palestinian life under blockade, capturing how love, imagination, and human connection can break through prison walls and geopolitical barriers.

Who is it for?

Ideal for readers of modern Arabic fiction, fans of epistolary novels, and anyone interested in stories of resistance, political captivity, and love under siege.

Book details

Language
ar
ISBN-13
9789953895345
ISBN-10
9953895341
Page count
247
Age rating
Adults