On the tenth anniversary of Radwa Ashour's passing, her novel "Tantouriya" remains a poignant representation of the Palestinian experience, blending history and imagination. Published in 2010, it explores the impact of the Nakba and the Palestinian diaspora through the eyes of its main character, Ruqayya al-Tantouriya. The novel spans over three generations, depicting the struggles and resilience of a fictional family affected by the historical events surrounding the Nakba, including the massacre at Tantura in 1948.
Radwa Ashour, an Egyptian novelist and critic, infused her personal connection to the Palestinian cause into her writing, having married Palestinian poet Mourid Barghouti. Her dedication to portraying the Palestinian narrative involved extensive research and engagement with oral histories, enhancing the authenticity of her characters' experiences. The novel's structure, divided into 58 chapters, employs a first-person narrative that captures the oral storytelling tradition, making it a vital testimony to the Palestinian plight.
Through Ruqayya's journey from her village to various countries, including Lebanon and Jordan, the novel illustrates the enduring impact of displacement and the longing for home. Ashour's use of dialogue and speech representation reflects the voices of the Palestinian community, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in reclaiming identity and history. Ultimately, "Tantouriya" stands as a significant work in Arabic literature, echoing the collective memory and suffering of the Palestinian people.
