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Literary Fiction· United Arab Emirates

The Occasional Virgin

by Hanan Al-Shaykh
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2018Arabic
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About This Book

Hanan Al-Shaykh's The Occasional Virgin (2018) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Hanan Al-Shaykh's 'The Occasional Virgin' is a witty and provocative exploration of love, religion, and identity. The novel follows two women, Yvonne and Huda, as they navigate the complexities of modern life and their own personal histories. Al-Shaykh's work is celebrated for its humor and its bold examination of the intersections between personal freedom and cultural tradition. Themes of love, religion, identity run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorHanan Al-Shaykh
Published2018
Country of Origin🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
LanguageArabic
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781408895743
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

This book is part of United Arab Emirates's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Arab Emirates →

Editorial Assessment

Hanan Al-Shaykh published The Occasional Virgin in 2018, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United Arab Emirates. The book's treatment of love, religion, identity, freedom accounts for much of its enduring reputation. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Occasional Virgin lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of love, religion, identity, freedom is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Hanan Al-Shaykh's role in the literature of United Arab Emirates is well established. The Occasional Virgin 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

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · global
20180
✍️
About the Author
Hanan Al-Shaykh
United Arab Emirates
View Author →

Hanan Al-Shaykh is a United Arab Emirates author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Occasional Virgin about?

Hanan Al-Shaykh's 'The Occasional Virgin' is a witty and provocative exploration of love, religion, and identity. The novel follows two women, Yvonne and Huda, as they navigate the complexities of modern life and their own personal histories. Al-Shaykh's work is celebrated for its humor and its bold examination of the intersections between personal freedom and cultural tradition.

Who wrote The Occasional Virgin?

The Occasional Virgin was written by Hanan Al-Shaykh, from United Arab Emirates. First published in 2018.

What awards has The Occasional Virgin won?

The Occasional Virgin has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Occasional Virgin worth reading?

The Occasional Virgin 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 love, religion, identity.

Where can I buy The Occasional Virgin?

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

What category is The Occasional Virgin?

The Occasional Virgin is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Occasional Virgin from?

The Occasional Virgin originates from United Arab Emirates's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Arab Emirates on our country page.

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