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The Translator
£4.99
A tender, poetic and deeply moving story of love, faith and belonging — a modern classic from one of Scotland’s most acclaimed novelists.
Leila Aboulela’s debut novel explores the quiet, transformative power of connection across cultures, languages and spiritual worlds.
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About the Ebook
The Translator is a quiet, luminous novel about love — both human and divine — and the ways in which grief, faith and cultural difference shape our lives.
Sammar, a young Sudanese widow working as an Arabic translator at a British university, is adrift. Isolated by the sudden death of her husband and separated from her young son, she moves through life in a state of emotional suspension.
Everything begins to shift when she meets Rae, a Scottish academic whose world seems utterly different from her own. As their connection deepens, Sammar must navigate the complexities of faith, identity and longing — and decide whether she can open herself to love again.
Written with grace, restraint and emotional clarity, The Translator is a beautifully observed story of cross‑cultural intimacy and spiritual searching.
“Aboulela is a wonderfully poetic writer… It is a pleasure to read a novel so full of feeling and yet so serene.”
— The Guardian
Critical Praise
"A serene, poetic and emotionally resonant novel about love, faith and belonging."
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- A beautifully written love story that bridges cultures, languages and spiritual worlds.
- Quiet, powerful emotional depth from one of Scotland’s most celebrated literary voices.
- Explores grief, faith and identity with nuance and compassion.
- Perfect for readers of literary fiction and cross‑cultural narratives.
- A Polygon modern classic that continues to resonate with readers worldwide.
About the Author
Leila Aboulela was born in Khartoum and moved to the UK in her twenties to study at the London School of Economics. While living in Aberdeen, she began writing about her home city and the experiences of Muslim women navigating life between cultures. She is the author of several acclaimed novels, including The Translator and Minaret, and is widely recognised for her lyrical prose and nuanced storytelling.
Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Imprint: Polygon
Publication Date: 24 September 2015
Print Length: 208 pages
ISBN (Ebook): 9780857907196
Format: Ebook
Language: English
Categories: Fiction / Literary Fiction / Ebook Only
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