Daughters of the Nile

"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.

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.

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!