For Egypt, I could have easily read something by Naguib Mahfouz who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988, but I have already read (and LOVED) several books by him so I wanted to try someone new (and preferably female). There were many good options, but I was drawn* to the work of Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed, a graphic novel that was written, drawn, and then translated into English by the author herself. The English-language version is printed the same way as it was in Arabic, so it is read “backwards” for the Western reader. For me, this was awkward and weird — and I totally loved it.
The title of this book, Shubeik Lubeik, is the fairy-tale rhyme that means “your wish is my command” and this graphic novel is about a world where wishes are commodified and literally for sale. Expensive wishes are rare, sold in glass bottles at prices beyond the means of most consumers, while cheap wishes are readily available in cans, but buyer beware. If you wish to lose weight, but only purchase a canned wish, you might end up literally losing an arm. Technically, your wish came true but maybe not on the terms you imagined…
I loved so many things about this book. The premise is original and utterly delightful, and from that premise, the author created a mesmerizing story with complicated messy characters. She uses the novel’s fantasy world to explore so many compelling issues including: the history of Egypt; poverty, wealth, and socioeconomics; mental health and the practice of psychology; politics; religion; and colonialism and its aftermath.
As soon as I finished this book, I looked for more work by Deena Mohamed, but alas, she is only thirty (a baby!) and this is her first book. I am now stalking following her on Instagram @itsdeenasaur because I want to consume any and all work she creates. If you would like to peek inside Shubeik Lubeik, check out her gorgeous website.
Bottom line: this was an absolutely incredible pick for Egypt and it’s one of the most gorgeous graphic novels I’ve ever devoured.
* This pun was not intended but I am very proud of it nevertheless.