The Touch of Light
Nadia Najar
Noura, the main character and narrator of the novel, is blind, but uses an electronic application to explain the content of photographs. With this, Noura recounts the story behind each image and the people appearing in it. Through the personal history of Noura’s family members, the novel depicts the history of the Arabian Gulf, the history of Dubai before the discovery of oil, and Bahrain during the first phase of its discovery, all from her unique perspective. While it offers readers a panorama of a country before and after the advent of oil, it is at the same time a sensitive exploration of the world of blind people.
Nomination
2025 Longlist