Naphtalene

by ʻĀliyah Mamdūḥ

"The first novel by an Iraqi woman to be published in the United States, Naphtalene is the coming-of-age story of a young Iraqi girl looking to establish her female identity amidst an oppressive patriarchal society and an impending revolution." "Nine-year-old Huda is fierce, precocious, and - as described by her bullying father - more like a boy than a girl. Through her eyes, we see the growing resistance to British colonial influence in 1950s Baghdad as Huda becomes aware of the restrictions placed on her as an Iraqi girl. Surrounded by unhappy women chained to their fates, free-spirited Huda rebels against the expectations of her society. She explores the sensuality of being a young woman, defying the men who hem her in. Huda's proud journey towards womanhood is framed by Alia Mamdouh's fiery and lyrical prose, which brings us the sights and sounds of Baghdad against the backdrop of political turmoil."--Jacket.