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Historical Fiction· Yemen

The Hostage

by Zayd Mutee' Dammaj
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1984Arabic
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About This Book

Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Hostage (1984) by Zayd Mutee' Dammaj continues to receive. The Hostage is a seminal work in Yemeni literature, offering a vivid portrayal of Yemen's sociopolitical landscape in the early 20th century. The novel follows a young boy taken hostage by an Imam, exploring themes of power, tradition, and personal growth. Zayd Mutee' Dammaj's storytelling provides a poignant critique of feudal systems and the struggle for personal freedom. Themes of power dynamics, tradition, personal growth run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorZayd Mutee' Dammaj
Published1984
Country of Origin🇾🇪 Yemen
LanguageArabic
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9780863565243
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇾🇪 Yemen

This book is part of Yemen's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Yemen →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1984, Zayd Mutee' Dammaj's The Hostage is a work of historical fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with power dynamics, tradition, personal growth, freedom gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Hostage among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Hostage is how it handles its central concerns — power dynamics, tradition, personal growth, freedom — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Zayd Mutee' Dammaj's role in the literature of Yemen is well established. The Hostage can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

BBC Big Read
notable · regional
19840
✍️
About the Author
Zayd Mutee' Dammaj
Yemen
View Author →

Zayd Mutee' Dammaj is a Yemen author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Hostage about?

The Hostage is a seminal work in Yemeni literature, offering a vivid portrayal of Yemen's sociopolitical landscape in the early 20th century. The novel follows a young boy taken hostage by an Imam, exploring themes of power, tradition, and personal growth. Zayd Mutee' Dammaj's storytelling provides a poignant critique of feudal systems and the struggle for personal freedom.

Who wrote The Hostage?

The Hostage was written by Zayd Mutee' Dammaj, from Yemen. First published in 1984.

What awards has The Hostage won?

The Hostage has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Hostage worth reading?

The Hostage is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in power dynamics, tradition, personal growth.

Where can I buy The Hostage?

You can buy The Hostage on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Hostage?

The Hostage is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Hostage from?

The Hostage originates from Yemen's literary tradition. Explore more books from Yemen on our country page.

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