While seemingly insignificant, everyday ordinary decisions can ripple through generations, shaping not only individual lives, but also the very fabric of a culture. Sometimes, a mere few dozen hours can hold the power to mold entire lifetimes. By piecing together these fragments, we get a deeper understanding of how they continue to influence the course of our lives. In her captivating novel, Celestial Bodies (2010), Jokha Alharthi explores how seemingly ordinary choices, like selecting an unconventional name for a child, opting for a hospital birth instead of a home birth, or even a young, unmarried woman engaging in conversations with married women, can subtly challenge and dismantle long-held societal norms and practices. Alharthi crafts a meditative exploration of life’s rhythm for three generations within a wealthy Omani family. Through an exploration of the intimate moments within their homes and whispered prayers that hold their deepest desires, Alharthi reveals the subtle beauty and complexity of their existence, reminding us that even amidst life’s inevitable tragedies, the journey of life often unfolds not in grand gestures, but in the quiet hum of everyday moments. The novel delves far deeper than a…
REVIEW: Love, Faith, and Shifting Traditions: Omani Women Face a Changing World in “Celestial Bodies” Novel
March 3, 2024
