“The world is full of ghosts. We are all ghosts in some way or another.”
“Enter Ghost” is a novel about Sonia, a British-Palestinian actor who returns to Palestine after a failed relationship and a stagnant career in London. She agrees to play Gertrude in an Arabic production of Hamlet directed by Mariam, a friend of her sister Haneen, in the West Bank. As she rehearses with the diverse cast of Palestinian actors, she faces the obstacles and dangers of making art under occupation, as well as the intricacies and conflicts of identity, belonging, family and history.
“Theatre is a way of speaking to people who don’t want to listen.”
She also confronts her own past, including her memories of visiting Palestine as a child, her grandparents’ involvement in the resistance, and her estrangement from her sister. Through her role in Hamlet, she finds a way to connect with herself and others, and to express her voice in a place where silence is often imposed.
“If we let disaster stand in our way, we will never do anything. Every day here is a disaster.”
Enter Ghost is a captivating novel that examines the personal and political aspects of life in Palestine. Hammad writes with intellect, delicacy, and vividness, creating a rich depiction of a land and its people. She also adeptly interweaves the themes and motifs of Hamlet into the story, showing how the classic play reflects the contemporary reality of violence, treachery, and defiance.
“I looked up at the windows again and then, as if standing in a gallery of my mind, gazing down at the stage, waited for emotion to begin. It was like entering a church and expecting awe and holy feelings, except that now I was waiting for grief. In its absence another feeling crept upon me, a kind of exhausted despair.”
The characters are intricate, each with their own challenges and goals. Sonia is an intriguing protagonist, who undergoes a profound change as she learns more about herself and her ancestry. I did find her a bit emotionally flat at times though. The novel also offers a glimpse into the lively and diverse culture of Palestine, from its music and food to its literature and theatre.
“The past was a place where you could go and be alone, but it was also a place where you could be with others.”
I found the book to be a bit sluggish, particularly the first half. This offers an interesting, personal/one-sided view of this conflict situation. I did enjoy the “backstage” view of getting a theatre production on stage. “Enter Ghost” is a touching novel that challenges the reader to think about one of the most pressing issues of our time.
About the Book
From Penguin Random House South Africa
About The Author
Isabella Hammad
She is known for her debut novel “The Parisian,” which was published in 2019. “The Parisian” is a historical fiction novel set during World War I and the subsequent Palestinian struggle for independence. The book received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for several literary awards, including the Palestine Book Award and the Dylan Thomas Prize. Isabella Hammad’s writing has been praised for its rich language, intricate storytelling, and deep exploration of personal and political themes.
