The Servant

AADL has no copies of this item

Translation of: Faten.
Fatena, a young servant girl, has her life changed when she meets Marwen, a young wealthy man, who drives her to challenge Lebanese societal standards.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

School Library Journal Review
Booklist Review
Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

A moving translation submitted by LibraryMaven on July 13, 2014, 12:34pm Set against the backdrop of the Lebanese civil war, Fatena is fifteen and a brilliant student when her parents pull her out of school to be a servant for a wealthy family. Her wages help support her younger brothers and sisters, but Fatena wants her own future too. Two years later, she begins studying in secret to pass her school exams and become a nurse.

Servant is a wonderful portrayal of a young woman working for what she wants and making her own future. Set in 1985, the story does not feel at all dated and highlights the issue of forced labor. As an extra bonus, the author Sharafeddine is well known outside the United States- I was glad to see some of her work available to English speaking audiences.