Sand-Catcher

Praise for Sand-Catcher

A Chicago Review of Books Must-Read Book of December 2024
A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2024
A Millions Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024

“When atrocities become commonplace, when dominant narratives circulate unchecked and unopposed, too often the burden of collective memory comes to rest on individual witnesses—people who, Sand-Catcher suggests, might have something to lose in the telling.” —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic

“Sand-Catcher exemplifies why translated literature is important. An exuberant and thought-provoking tale.” —Cory Oldweiler, The Boston Globe

“Omar Khalifah’s debut novel is a darkly funny satire and a suspenseful tale about balancing the need for privacy and bearing witness to the traumas of the past and present.” —Michael Welch, Chicago Review of Books

“Khalifah depicts how the Palestinian diaspora has suffered not only the brutality of Israeli dispossession but also the exploitation of Palestinian bodies and memories in the 80 years since. [He] rejects the self-mortification that has been demanded of Palestinians, with no justice given in exchange.” —Mathilde Montpetit, The Berliner

“[Sand-Catcher] starts with seduction and ends in violence, a climax like a wind-up toy built to fly to pieces, a breakup that tears through both family and friends. It’s the same widening crack as ever⎯all that’s been lost⎯lurking under all the clever structure and gab.” —John Domini, The Brooklyn Rail

“A timely new translation and hopefully one we’ll be reading at the same time as we can celebrate a safe and free Palestine.” —Literary Hub

“For anyone looking for insight—tinged with grim humor—into the years leading up to the present political crisis in the Middle East and the decades-long goal of Palestinian autonomy.” —The Millions

“The novel doesn’t tell us where to put the line between a commodified archetype and the real. Instead, it leaves us to take this tension forward into our lives." —Marcia Lynx Qualey,The New Arab

Past Praise:

Praise for Nasser In the Egyptian Imaginary

“A thoroughly original and important portrait of one of the Arab world's most significant figures in the 20th century, someone whose impact, as the author concludes, continues to resonate across the Arabic-speaking world.” —Roger Allen, translator of One Hour Left

“Omar Khalifah's Nasser in the Egyptian Imaginary critically analyzes the varied representation of the charismatic Egyptian president, Gamal Abdel Nasser. His image in public memory, as documented by Khalifah, veers from that of an intellectual martyr, a romantic hero, to the ultimate Pharaoh, full of misdeeds." —Abdur Raheem Kidwai, The Muslim World Book Review