Women of Sand and Myrrh

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Women of Sand and Myrrh is a novel by Hanan al-Shaykh. It is her fifth book. It was first published in 1989 as Misk al-ghazal and appeared in English in 1992, translated by Catherine Cobham. Publishers Weekly named it one of the 50 best books of 1992.

The story is told from four women’s perspectives: Suha, Tamr, Nur, and Suzanne. Suha and her husband flee war-torn Lebanon to an unnamed country. But Suha feels unhappy and bored and has an affair with the wealthy Nur. Suzanne is an American housewife whose husband no longer loves her, yet she attracts local men. Tamr is a poor Turkish woman who tries to start a business but, as a divorcee, has few rights.

The setting is a modern Middle Eastern society, reflecting life in the last few decades rather than the distant past. Key themes include changing gender roles, class, culture, religion, and the tension between materialism and romanticism.

The book was banned in many Arabic countries for its strong content and portrayal of Arab culture. Critics had mixed reactions: Kirkus Reviews called it a promising debut, Publishers Weekly gave a positive review, and Elise Salem Manganaro (Middle East Studies Association) praised the themes but criticized the writing style. Edward Said said Western feminists should read it, while Hannadi al-Samman criticized the portrayal of lesbian relationships as an inferior alternative to heterosexuality.