The Village of Nag' Al-Roya

About this book

At the edges of the horizon, where the day passes slowly and night descends as if thinking before crossing thresholds, lies the village of 'Nag' Al-Roya.' A place whose tales resemble no other villages'; houses huddling together in fear of something unseen, and air fragrant with the smell of clay mingled with the bitterness of memories. There, people live a suspicious silence, for whenever the name 'Al-Roya' passes in their talk, they suddenly hush as if remembering what must not be said. Among these alleys walks 'Roqqa,' the girl of tanned skin who drank much sun, and the freckles adorning her face like traces of long patience. She carries her basket of milk and cheese on her head, but in truth she carries what is heavier: the secrets of houses whose doors she knocks every dawn. She is not merely a seller but 'the village's eye' seeing behind the patterned curtains what makes the conscience tremble; she sees hearts' betrayal, souls' greed, and spirits yearning for justice behind silent walls. Roqqa's life turns upside down when she stumbles upon a mysterious 'magic wand' at the roots of the old mulberry tree.