Fencing with the King

Award-winning author Abu-Jaber (Birds of Paradise) offers a layered story set in 1995 Jordan, examining cultural identity and family legacy. Separated from her husband and engulfed by struggles with alcohol and depression, poet and professor Amani Hamdan discovers a mysterious scrap of poetry written by her long-dead grandmother, Natalia. Hoping to unravel the mystery and escape from her professional and personal travails, Amani travels to Jordan with her father, Gabe, for King Hussein’s 60th birthday. As part of the festivities, Gabe has been invited by his brother and royal-adviser Hafez, to participate in a choreographed fencing demonstration with the king. Meanwhile, Amani is drawn into her grandmother’s hidden past, discovering devastating family secrets, which prompt her to re-evaluate her unmoored self. Palestinian American actor Rasha Zamamiri’s exquisite narration captures the nuances of language and place. Zamamiri’s authentic pronunciation and rich characterizations, from conflicted and desperate Hafez to quiet Gabe, communicate the complexity of Jordanian society and culture.