Bound by Tradition

These are not stories of fiction, but echoes of real lives – the lives of my family, spanning generations. Their experiences, passed down through whispered memories, shaped not only those who lived them but also those who came after.

Through their tales, I pieced together the intricate mosaic of my family history. These vivid images and the emotions they evoked helped forge the person I am today.

The events recounted here will, I hope, intrigue and perhaps even shock you. My culture, steeped in traditions vastly different from those of the West, may seem puzzling or even brutal to some. The mindsets of certain characters may appear utterly foreign to Western readers, but I trust that the explanations of our customs will shed light on their motivations.

Names have been changed to protect the privacy of my elders. May these stories provoke thought and spark a deeper understanding of a world far removed from your own.

Salha Al Shaibani is an accomplished author, best known for her debut book, Bound by Tradition: Four Sisters’ Journey. Hailing from a diverse background, Salha’s storytelling is deeply influenced by her rich cultural experiences. Her work delves into the complex tapestry of familial bonds and societal expectations, as seen through the eyes of four remarkable sisters. With a unique voice and an unwavering passion for storytelling, Salha Al Shaibani is set to make a lasting impact on the literary world.

Customer Reviews

4.8

5 reviews

Yasmeen Alshaibani

The Arab writer who chose to write his first collection of short stories in English sets a new and exciting artistic tone. It reflects a personal and cultural negotiation between heritage and global expression. Writing in English is highly present and its vocabulary is broadly accessible, especially for those seeking to interact with global audiences. However, it also brings with it a host of questions related to authenticity, identity, and voice. I see the writer here attempting to blend the different cultures coexisted with by the story's heroes, which adds a kind of cultural and cognitive richness to the story, which in turn is passed on to us. The writer has challenged literary boundaries and influenced both Arabic and English literature. With a vocabulary that is not pretentious,
Nora Agila

Even though this is Salha’s debut book, I found myself completely drawn into the story from the very beginning. I couldn’t put it down—I read it in one sitting, unable to stop until I reached the final page. The emotional depth of the narrative moved me to tears. I cried over the painful incidents and felt as though I was living through every moment with the characters. The shock, the heartbreak, and the sense of injustice faced by the women in the story—especially when it came from those who were supposed to protect them—truly struck a chord with me. It’s heartbreaking to see how the very people who should be their shelter from life’s storms became the source of their suffering. Reading this made me reflect on my own life and feel incredibly grateful for not having experienced such hardships. At the same time, I was filled with admiration and pride for these strong, resilient women who, despite everything, emerged as four magnificent souls—women who love life, who give selflessly, and who inspire others with their strength and grace. Salha, you’ve done a phenomenal job. Your voice is powerful, and your storytelling is deeply moving. I’m truly proud of you. Please keep writing—you have so much to offer the world. I sincerely look forward to reading more of your work in the future. This is just the beginning, and I have no doubt your next book will be even more impactful. Well done!
Moammer zaidi

The writer is distinguished by a direct language that can be described as deceptively simple, encapsulating the creative state in all its details through a concise and vivid language. Through this language, images flow in a dramatic rhythm that draws its strength from truth and the real world, coupled with the pulse of imagination committed to honesty and spontaneity. Language, as a unique means of communication and a personal identity, presents a distinct challenge alongside the challenges of narrative and the hierarchy of images in stories. The writer directs language toward a different recipient, a partner in this world, conveying a picture from the self to the world, from the local to the global. In my opinion, the writer did not rely on any professional narrative techniques as much as she embraced storytelling, narration, emotion, and dialogue in a beautiful flow of tales and events. Thus, the stories here are governed by all the requirements of professionalism, filled with warmth, and rich with meanings and love. This collection of stories is worthy of being read multiple times. It is cunning and deceives with its simplicity, despite being saturated with ideas that continuously raise questions capable of elevating the level of awareness and perception within a society that has suffered from injustice and displacement due to colonialism and the scramble for power, while struggling to preserve its identity from fragmentation and erasure. Dr. Saliha poses questions of purpose and existence, addressing the world with her questions through the narration of suffering and the details of patience. This is a quick first reading of the book, and I plan to revisit it with an analytical and critical reading later. I highly recommend reading it.
Moammer zaidi

The writer is distinguished by a direct language that can be described as deceptively simple, encapsulating the creative state in all its details through a concise and vivid language. Through this language, images flow in a dramatic rhythm that draws its strength from truth and the real world, coupled with the pulse of imagination committed to honesty and spontaneity. Language, as a unique means of communication and a personal identity, presents a distinct challenge alongside the challenges of narrative and the hierarchy of images in stories. The writer directs language toward a different recipient, a partner in this world, conveying a picture from the self to the world, from the local to the global. In my opinion, the writer did not rely on any professional narrative techniques as much as she embraced storytelling, narration, emotion, and dialogue in a beautiful flow of tales and events. Thus, the stories here are governed by all the requirements of professionalism, filled with warmth, and rich with meanings and love. This collection of stories is worthy of being read multiple times. It is cunning and deceives with its simplicity, despite being saturated with ideas that continuously raise questions capable of elevating the level of awareness and perception within a society that has suffered from injustice and displacement due to colonialism and the scramble for power, while struggling to preserve its identity from fragmentation and erasure. Dr. Saliha poses questions of purpose and existence, addressing the world with her questions through the narration of suffering and the details of patience. This is a quick first reading of the book, and I plan to revisit it with an analytical and critical reading later. I highly recommend reading it.
Moammer zaidi

The writer is distinguished by a direct language that can be described as deceptively simple, encapsulating the creative state in all its details through a concise and vivid language. Through this language, images flow in a dramatic rhythm that draws its strength from truth and the real world, coupled with the pulse of imagination committed to honesty and spontaneity. Language, as a unique means of communication and a personal identity, presents a distinct challenge alongside the challenges of narrative and the hierarchy of images in stories. The writer directs language toward a different recipient, a partner in this world, conveying a picture from the self to the world, from the local to the global. In my opinion, the writer did not rely on any professional narrative techniques as much as she embraced storytelling, narration, emotion, and dialogue in a beautiful flow of tales and events. Thus, the stories here are governed by all the requirements of professionalism, filled with warmth, and rich with meanings and love. This collection of stories is worthy of being read multiple times. It is cunning and deceives with its simplicity, despite being saturated with ideas that continuously raise questions capable of elevating the level of awareness and perception within a society that has suffered from injustice and displacement due to colonialism and the scramble for power, while struggling to preserve its identity from fragmentation and erasure. Dr. Saliha poses questions of purpose and existence, addressing the world with her questions through the narration of suffering and the details of patience. This is a quick first reading of the book, and I plan to revisit it with an analytical and critical reading later. I highly recommend reading it.

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