By: Bassmala Abdallah kamal

About the novel: "Yasamin Elawda" (Jasmine`s Return) follows "Ghurbat Elyasamin" (Jasmine`s Exile) by six years, picking up the story from an interconnected but standalone perspective.

Where the main events take place in Paris, interspersed with some other events in Egypt, Yarmouk camp, Gaza, Tunisia, and other places, between the period of 2008-2011, and revolves around the three main protagonists (Omar, Ranim, Yasmin) with the appearance of other characters.

It starts from the endpoint, allowing readers to understand without revisiting the past, and continues to discuss the novel`s themes and adds to them as the events and characters evolve.

The novel delves into the issues of estrangement, racism, the portrayal of Muslims as terrorists, post-traumatic stress, attempts to hold onto religion and traditions, laws governing child custody, and a focus on the Palestinian cause and Palestinian identity in the diaspora.

The novel reflects what’s on your mind, and seeing what’s in the future by asking the popping up questions that will came up in your mind while reading..

Will "Omar" be able to overcome the psychological impact accompanying him from the explosion and the accusation of terrorism, and will he be able to assist the Palestinian resistance?

Will "Ranim" overcome her old feelings and find a balance between her work and her life in Paris, building a family and achieving emotional stability?

Will "Yasmin" show patience in the face of the trials that she will endure?

Will "Sukaina" be able to reclaim her children after years of absence?

With these questions in your mind, more curiosity, more suspense, the recipe of the novel was ready for the readers.

 Language: The narrative is in excellent and well-crafted formal Arabic, and the dialogue is also in eloquent Arabic, maintaining a consistent level of mastery.

 Style: It is characterized by its smooth flow, initially with a slow buildup in the first third of the novel, followed by a significant and noticeable escalation of events towards the end.

Regarding the writing, it was skillful in immersing me in the events and making me feel like I was walking the streets of Paris and Lille city, the neighborhoods of Cairo and Alexandria, commensalism Tunisian heritage, longing for Morocco and Syria, feeling the pain in the Yarmouk camp and Gaza, and finding comfort in Lausanne.

Shedding light on the plot and storyline were expertly constructed, linking events with their past and future implications, making me feel that "Yasamin Elawda"(Jasmine`s Return) is a bridge between "Ghurbat Elyasamin" (Jasmine`s Exile) and "Yasamin Abiad"  (White Jasmine).

And coming back to the character development was outstanding, with a radical change in the character of "Omar" based on his experiences, significant growth in "Ranim," "Yasmin" continuing to be a symbol of clarity and virtue, more attention to the character "Haitham," and finally the appearance of the other characters with a skillful exploration of what they have been through and their psychological aftermath. The strong harmony presented by the author for the protagonists inside Apartment 404, despite their differences in age, culture, personalities, and origins, but what unites them all is estrangement.

Finally, the author succeeded in leaving the desired emotional impact on the reader.

Ending: The ending was highly realistic, mirroring real-life situations.

My opinion: "Yasamin Elawda" (Jasmine`s Return) is one of the best works I`ve read, and it`s one of the most engaging stories with its characters, for the experience I lived with them and for the time I waited for it since dedicating "Ghurbat Elyasamin" (Jasmine`s Exile), it has now come to fruition,  Finished (thanks to God), in "Yasamin Abiad" (White Jasmine).

It wasn`t the first work I`ve read by the author, and it certainly won`t be the last.

I recommend reading the entire trilogy to experience the complete journey and get more into those pieces of art, and live the moment with the author through her eye.

Author`s works: ("In my heart, a Hebrew woman ( Fi Qalbi anuthi Eabrih) ," "Jasmine`s Exile (Ghurbat Elyasamin) ," "To Remain ( An Tubqia)," "Where Is the Escape ( Ayn Almafar)," "Show Me, Look at You (`Arni `Anzur `Iilayk)," "Jasmine`s Return (Yasamin Elawda)," "White Jasmine"( Yasamin Abiad).