Description
Out of It by Selma Dabbagh is a compelling work of contemporary literary fiction that offers a sharp, humane, and intimate portrayal of life in modern-day Gaza. Set against a backdrop of bombings and political unrest, the novel follows Rashid, a bright, disillusioned young Palestinian who receives a long-awaited scholarship to London just as his home is under siege. Meanwhile, his sister Iman, weary of injustice and stagnation, is drawn towards a radical resistance movement, while their older brother Sabri immerses himself in writing a history of Palestine from his wheelchair.
This thoughtful and often darkly witty novel captures the fragmentation within Palestinian society, the lure of escape, and the personal cost of political conflict. Moving between Gaza, London, and the Gulf, Out of It paints a vivid, unvarnished picture of a people caught between occupation, divided loyalties, and the shadow of extremism. Selma Dabbagh’s writing is marked by its emotional insight and dry humour, offering a nuanced, authentic voice often missing from media portrayals of the region.
Ideal for readers drawn to socially conscious fiction and powerful character-driven narratives, Out of It is an intelligent, humanising story of identity, resistance, and survival.
