Ibtisam Azem on what would happen if Palestinians disappeared
This week, I’m speaking with the brilliant Ibtisam Azem—novelist, journalist, and storyteller—about her powerful and thought-provoking book, The Book of Disappearance.
Set across 1948 Palestine, in Jaffa and also Tel Aviv, this novel asks a haunting question: what if all the Palestinians suddenly disappeared? Through the intertwining narratives of Alaa, a young Palestinian man who vanishes without a trace, and Ariel, an Israeli, liberal Zionist journalist who finds Alaa’s diaries, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and erasure. It is both a deeply personal story and a profound political meditation on history, belonging, and loss.
In this conversation, we delve into the layers of metaphor and meaning in The Book of Disappearance, the historical and political realities that shape the narrative, and the ongoing situation in Palestine. We also reflect on storytelling as resistance, the role of literature in preserving memory, and the weight of silence in both personal and collective histories.
This is a powerful and necessary discussion, and I hope it sparks reflection and conversation for you as well.
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The Diverse Bookshelf
Welcome to The Diverse Bookshelf. I’m Samia Aziz, celebrating the power of literature and the voices of authors and change makers from the global majority. Join me as we explore the stories that inspire, connect, and transform our world. Each week I interview an inspiring guest about a whole host of themes and issues while focusing on diverse literature.
Let’s uncover the stories that truly matter—together.
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