A portrayal of the lives of a number of women, living in rural circumstances where patriarchy rules. The conflict takes place between them and the domineering society that distorts their individualism and thwarts their efforts for freedom. However, equipped with patience, determination to reject male dominance, and education, the young woman Rafeef succeeds in liberating herself from her husband’s dominance and that of her environment, attaining liberation by pursuing higher education with the help of Dr. Ashmoon, a university professor and poet whom she falls in love with. The journey from darkness to light passes through many thresholds that eventually culminate in finding one’s identity and achieving goals.

Nahida Saad is a Lebanese author. She is a university professor. Ph.D. in English Literature. She writes in English and Arabic languages, she has three novels in Arabic, a book of criticism in English, two collections of short stories, one in Arabic and one in English, a book on writing strategies in English, and a book made up of poetry and philosophical articles in Arabic.

Customer Reviews

5.0

2 reviews

Salaheddin Hariri

The polyphonic technique employed in this novel is not an artistic oddity but rather an urgent necessity. The world of the village portrayed in this work is far from being unified or controlled by a tolerant moral principle. Diversity of secret intentions, conflicting attitudes toward social traditions and freedom of the individual, along with biting prejudices against women-- all invoke a drama bent more on evil than moral tolerance. Hence the need for the multiplicity of voices, of points of view, to make valid and visualizabe the representation of the characters inhabiting the world of the village. Needless to add that the polyphonic technique not only enriches the drama but also succeeds in acting as a unifying principle-- Diversity transformed into unity.
Rima Azar

A Story Every Woman Should Read In a world ruled by men, one woman finds her voice and changes everything. Thresholds of Night and Day by Nahida Saad is more than a novel. It’s a powerful reflection of what many women live through especially in environments where patriarchy dominates every aspect of life. The story follows Rafeef, a young woman raised in a rural, male-dominated society. At first, she follows the path expected of her. But slowly, something inside her shifts. Through patience, inner strength, and her desire for education, Rafeef starts to break away from the control of her surroundings. What moved me most is how real this story feels. It doesn’t shout,it speaks with calm, steady power. The writing is simple but full of feeling. You walk with Rafeef through her pain, her doubts, her hopes. You feel her fear, her courage, and her longing for something big. This book reminded me that freedom often begins with a quiet decision: to say no, to ask more, to want better. It’s a reminder of how many women are still forced to fight just to be themselves. I highly recommend this book because it gives voice to women who are too often ignored. It shows how education can be a powerful tool for change It’s emotional, but never heavy. it’s simply so honest It speaks to any woman who ever felt trapped, unheard, or underestimated