Five Emirati novels that reflect the UAE’s modern transformation

Eid Al Etihad, also known as UAE National Day, on December 2 marks the founding of the federation in 1971 and the beginning of a period of social and economic change.

Those shifts have been reflected in more than three decades of Emirati fiction, with many of these works appearing in The National’s lists of the most important Arabic novels of the 20th and 21st centuries.

From early novels that examined questions of identity and tradition to contemporary works reflecting shifting family dynamics amid urban expansion, these books show how Emirati writers have used literature to trace a society constantly evolving while holding on to the enduring values responsible for the country’s sense of purpose and resilience.

1. Shajan Bint Al Qadar Al Hazeen (1992) by Sara Al Jarwan

Shajan Bint Al Qadar Al Hazeen by Sara Al Jarwan. Photo: Kuttab Publishing

An important work in the history of literature from the UAE, Shajan Bint Al Qadar Al Hazeen is considered the first novel published by an Emirati woman.

The story follows Shajan, a woman who has strong modern desires and dreams while living in a community with traditional values. Shajan’s journey, and the conflicts she faces within herself and with her family, touch on themes of identity, cultural heritage and the struggles of women within the Gulf region, which had undergone rapid change over the past few decades.

Exploring the evolving role of women in Emirati society, the novel is still relevant more than 20 years after it was published and serves as a pivotal piece in Arab literature from the Gulf.

2. The Diesel (1994) by Thani Al Suwaidi

The Diesel by Thani Al Suwaidi.