19 - Ṭayba Aš - Šarīf Al - Idrīsī : Ḥaǧar min saqar (A Stone from Hell)

Summary

The novel Ḥaǧar min saqar (A Stone from Hell) by Saudi writer Ṭayba aš-Šarīf al-Idrīsī is a story centered on the inner life of its protagonist, a woman disappointed both in her country and in her family. Unable to find a place for herself, she decides to go away and observe from afar what happens in her homeland and in her household while she is absent.

The author also undertakes an analysis of the relationship between a mother and daughter, whose problems seem to stem from the fact that they cannot or do not want to express their true feelings. The heroine is a modern and liberated person, while her mother guards the tradition.

The writer is interested in the problems of her countrymen, and it seems that she wants to become the conscience of a nation that does not believe that anything will ever change in the lives of its people. Revolution is the only way through which they can take control of justice and freedom, and that is the main reason why people must rebel against the current state of affairs.

The novel focuses on the events of the Arab Spring, starting from the Tunisian revolution, through the Egyptian one, the revolution against the Yemeni dictator, as well as through riots in Bahrain to the civil war in Syria. The author is sure that the winds of this “Spring” will surely reach also other Arab countries, sweep away the dictatorships there and bring about the desired changes. The novel is a warning to those ruling with an iron hand; to the unjust Arab leaders who still do not want to see that freedom, democracy and respect for people are the law, and that they must come to be. After all, the fall of regimes is inevitable, because no one can endlessly act against the will of the people. And perhaps the allusion contained in the title of the work means that hell has come for despots and dictators. The writer dedicates the novel:

To those who run in search of freedom

Dignity and security

And those whose eyes sank in grief

The main topic of the novel, however, is the relationship between the mother and daughter – the latter of this pair is the narrator of the work.