Muscat:The Book of Olives by Omani writer Dr. Aziza Al Taie delves into the themes of Palestine as a land, its people, and the enduring memory of their struggles through a series of evocative texts. The book portrays the suffering under occupation while maintaining a narrative of hope and freedom.
According to Oman News Agency, the book, published by Al-Aan Publishers and Distributors in Jordan, is written in poetic language that takes the reader through various Palestinian cities like Al Quds, Ramallah, Al Khalil, Gaza, Acre, and Haifa. The olive tree serves as a symbolic representation of the connection to the land and memory throughout the collection.
The collection opens with "When Thorns Bloom," setting a paradoxical tone where pain leads to growth. It includes other texts such as "The Wind Knows Their Names," "The Book of Light and Ash," and "The Dawn That Never Completes," portraying writing as an act of resistance against forgetting. Dr. Al Taie highlights personal stories, such as a woman selling remnants of life, a child defying fear with a stone, and a man pulling his dawn on a bread cart, emphasizing that these narratives transcend being mere news items.
Some pieces involve dialogue and questioning, such as "What the Stone Says," where a child questions the void about the sun and earth, reflecting deep pain and injustice. Other texts like "Memory Is a Rain-Laden Cloud" and "A Cry in the Face of Silence" expand the vision to Jerusalem, showcasing the resilience of the Palestinian spirit.
The book also uses the sea, shore, and city as symbols, with texts like "A Shore That Keeps the Story," portraying these places as silent witnesses to the ongoing narrative when words fail. Despite prevalent themes of pain, the book ultimately aligns with hope, as seen in "The Hanging Painting of Loss," where the author concludes with an image of a city rising and the Palestinian spirit enduring.
The Book of Olives contributes to Omani literature by connecting with Palestine as a shared Arab memory and an emotional, human experience, influenced by the author's visit to Palestine and her firsthand encounters with its realities.