This captivating multigenerational saga follows the lives of Yasminah, Nadia, and Fatiha from the 1940s to 2013. Set against the backdrop of the Middle East, Africa, London, and Paris, the narrative weaves a tapestry of struggles, triumphs, romances, and heartaches.

What truly stands out is the intricate character development, as each woman's journey is intricately connected despite the vast geographical and temporal distances. The author's meticulous attention to historical accuracy adds depth and richness to the storytelling, making the book informative and engaging.

While Yasminah, Nadia, and Fatiha belong to different eras, their quests for self-empowerment resonate powerfully throughout the narrative, offering a poignant and universal message. A must-read for those seeking an immersive and thought-provoking exploration of womanhood across generations. It is highly recommended for its compelling storytelling and resonant themes.

NetGalley Review 📚

Daughters of the Nile - Zahra Barri
Published by @unbounders

This will be my first ARC review and it feels only right to say that this book jumped out at me straight away, the description and the cover.

Daughters of the Nile is a multi-generational story about three women from the same family. At its heart it is a feminist book about liberation and queerness and the love, struggles and misunderstandings between these women.

I felt that, for each of these woman, you really felt for their struggles with each other but also with themselves and their position and place within the society they live in. Whether that be Egypt or England (or other). The oppression and hardships faced by these women shaped who they became and also how they reacted to circumstances and people around them.

I really felt all the emotions reading this book, it is at times heart wrenching but also very funny. You root for the characters to communicate and overcome their obstacles and to find understanding with each other and you laugh plenty of times on the journey with them.

I learned so much from this book about Egypt and the feminist movements mentioned in the book. It makes you want to go wild on google and learn as much as possible.

Thanks so much. To @netgalley and @unbounders for allowing me the chance to read this book. I know I will be recommending this for sure and will be grabbing a hard copy of the book to put on my shelves at home.

Read if you like:

•queer stories
•feminism
•bisexual representation
•Islamic themes

#zahrabarri #netgalleyreview #arcreviewer #unbounders #booklover #queerbooks #feministbooks #bookstagrammer #daugtersofthenile

If you ever want a book where stories and lives of Arab women aren't told through the limited lens of struggle, independence, and religious revolution, then this is it. Zahra Barri weaves a multi-generational story of women who have faced struggles, but doesn't define their lives by the virtue of their survival. Rather these characters live a bold and unapologetic life, without feeling the need to push "boundaries".

The authors deeply intimate style of writing takes you on an incredible journey with the three generations of women that feature in this book.
The attention to historical detail is excellent, spanning from 1940's to 2010's.
Set across multiple landscapes, including the Middle East, Paris and London.
As well as being completely engrossed in the storyline, I amassed new knowledge on many aspects of countries and cultures different to my own.
To be Muslim and queer....the complexity of being true to yourself, finding your own place in society....I did not want this book to end!

dnf @ 42%. i tried to drag through this one, but i simply could not connect with it. which is a shame, really, as the premise sounded right up my alley.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had everything that I was looking for and thought the use of multi-generational and in different settings worked wonderfully. I thought the overall realism worked well in the story and thought it was beautifully done. I enjoyed the way Zahra Barri wrote this and can’t wait to read more.

The are three generations of women from the Bin-Khalid family, Fatiha, Yasminah, and Nadia followed throughout the story. It takes place from the 1940s to 2013 in several countries in the Middle East, Africa, London and Paris. It discusses stories of struggles, triumphs, loves and losses. Their lives are intertwined throughout the book. The character development is very engaging. The author's fastidious attention to the historical details throughout the story was fascinating. Although these are three different women during different times, their stories aren't so different. Self empowerment was a strong theme present in the storyline. I highly recommend this book.

I was so excited to read this novel by Zahra Barri, and I feel like it did not disappoint!
Daughters of the Nile follows three generations of women from the Bin-Khalid family, Fatiha, Yasminah, and Nadia. The stories of these women span through the years of 1940-2013 and take place in the areas of Paris, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and England. The novel goes back and forth through time and places weaving the stories of these women intricately, while sharing their stories of love, loss, struggles, and empowerment. Though each story is different, somehow they are similar in that all go through life navigating hardships while exuding courage and determination on their paths to figure out who they are and what they truly want in life. I loved the fact that this novel was inspired by the life of Doria Shafik, a feminist who was a key figure in women’s liberation in Egypt whose actions helped grant Egyptian women the right to vote under the Egyptian constitution. I also really appreciated the glossary at the end of the book that helped a non-Arabic speaking person such as myself to learn and understand some of the terms used in the book that I might not otherwise be familiar with. I highly recommend this book!

An intimate, in-depth tale about what it means to be muslim and queer. We follow several generations of Muslim women from Paris to Cairo as throughout their lives. We grow with them as they learn how to navigate life and what it means to be true to yourself while standing up for what you believe in, even if it's at odds with your culture and what you believe in.

"Daughters of the Nile" by Zahra Barri is a tapestry of contemporary fiction that transports readers through time weaving together the lives of three Bin-Khalid women against the backdrop of a society in flux delving into the complexities of power, identity, religion/culture, and sexuality.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each imbued with depth, complexity, and agency. Barri masterfully navigates the intricacies of their relationships, highlighting the struggles that transcend time and how women navigate and subvert the constraints placed upon them.
Moreover, Barri's meticulous attention to historical detail is evident throughout the novel, immersing readers in Egyptian history, and Muslim families' sights, sounds, and customs. With its compelling narrative, richly drawn characters, and immersive setting, Zahra Barri's novel is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist literature, or simply a captivating story well told.

My favorite quote from Nadia: “Oh, to sit down all day, with internet access at a desk where my screen could not be seen by either my boss or my colleagues! Then I would finally be free.” Ironic that being tethered to a computer would make her feel “free.”

My Goodreads review will contain my reactions to spoilers.