The most prominent writer from Saudi Arabia, Samiya Al-Harbi, presented her new literary work titled "Not Like Other Women" as part of her participation in the International Book Fair in Abu Dhabi in 2025. The event featured numerous readers, critics, and lovers of Arabic literature.
The book, published in Arabic and English, represents a new and bold step in Harbi's literary creativity. In it, she presents a collection of short stories inspired by the realities of Arab women, where diverse characters' histories intertwine with snippets of her own life journey as a woman and a writer striving to transform the female narrative in the Arab world.
Harbi emphasizes that her new book is an "insight into the emotional and intellectual depth of Arab women, reflecting their flexibility, adaptability, and even their ability to create future resilience in the face of challenges." She added that the stories do not underline weakness, but rather showcase hidden strength and unwavering will, deeply rooted in the everyday details of women's lives.
"Not Like Other Women" presents a literary vision, capturing the stages of transformation, this tumultuous journey, and renewed hope in the reality of contemporary womanhood, using stories that blend realism and internal contemplation. The book addresses issues of identity, freedom, and the struggle against social constraints, posing essential questions about language, which is both elegant and influential.
