jordan pulse -

By Dr. Munira Jaradat
Head of the English Language and Translation Department, Jadara University
The Book Launch Event
At the kind invitation of Dr. Maysoon Tleilan, I had the honor on Thursday, May 21, 2026, of attending the launch ceremony for her literary and intellectual works, namely her novel "The Shadow of Queens" and her book "A Journey into the Left Hemisphere of the Brain". Organized by the Mafraq Cultural Forum at the Mafraq Chamber of Commerce, the event was well-attended by a distinguished elite of Jordanian writers and intellectuals, alongside the highly diverse and culturally passionate Mafraq Cultural Complex. Under the direct and meticulous supervision of the forum's president, Dr. Osama Tleilan, the organization and presentation of the event were exceptionally refined.
During the two-hour ceremony, key speakers—including Dr. Atef Odibat, Prof. Yasser Al-Khazaleh, Prof. Ghassan Al-Taleb, and the novelist Mr. Riad Al-Halaika—took turns praising both the novel and the book, unanimously agreeing on their originality and excellence.
A Novel Simulating Global Masterpieces
Focusing strictly on the novel (the subject of this first article), the speakers highlighted its high artistic value, noting that the author successfully delivered an authentic piece of fiction that echoes masterpieces of world literature.
A Comparison to Nobel Laureates: One speaker went so far as to compare Dr. Tleilan’s work to Ernest Hemingway’s "The Old Man and the Sea" and Naguib Mahfouz’s "Children of Gebelawi" (both authors being Nobel Prize winners). He explained that Dr. Maysoon Tleilan’s handling of specific human value conflicts is just as significant as the existential value struggles explored by Hemingway and Mahfouz. From his perspective, this profound depth makes the novel a worthy candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, especially after being translated into English and French and published by prominent international publishing houses.
A Personal Reading Experience
The overwhelming praise from the speakers and the attending intellectuals deeply intrigued me and motivated me to read the novel as soon as possible. I spent over ten hours between Thursday and Friday immersed in its pages, reserving the book for a future reading and review.
After reading the novel, I found that it truly deserved every bit of praise it received at the ceremony; in fact, I believe the speakers—likely restricted by time—could not give it its full share of appreciation. The novel is a highly creative and original work that begins with a deep, expressive philosophical premise:
"When history is burned, truth does not perish; instead, it searches for a voice to redraw its features."
Written in an engaging, smooth, and dramatic prose, the story unfolds with captivating events and rich human situations built upon the personal experiences of the novel's protagonist, Hajar. With great intelligence and skill, the author portrays the continuous inner and outer conflicts between steadfastness and surrender, and between courage and fear.
Literary Classification and Conclusion
Regarding its genre, the Jordanian novelist Riad Al-Halaika accurately described it by saying:
"The novel belongs to a complex literary genre that blends social drama, historical feminist vision, and philosophical reflections on leadership, identity, and memory."
Ultimately, this novel is highly recommended because it presents an advanced human model of a self-confident woman who firmly believes in her message and capabilities. It serves as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly for women, as the protagonist, Hajar, successfully achieves her mission through sheer determination, resilience, and courage despite the monumental challenges and frustrations blocking her path. This brief introduction cannot fully capture the depth, uniqueness, and originality of the text, making a complete reading of the novel absolutely essential to truly explore its profound layers.