This month marks the highly anticipated release of What Will People Think?, the debut novel by Dubai-based author Sarah Hamdan. A fresh addition to contemporary Arab-American literature, the book follows the life of Mia, a young Palestinian-American woman living in New York. By day, Mia works as a fact-checker, but by night, she performs as a stand-up comedian. Her life becomes even more complicated when a mysterious tenant from Dubai enters her home, unraveling secrets from both Mia’s and her grandmother’s past.
When Hamdan began writing this novel a decade ago, she never imagined the journey it would take her on. Her story, which blends humor with poignant cultural reflections, has not only garnered attention but also sparked a bidding war among publishers. The result: a groundbreaking two-book deal, the largest ever for a contemporary debut author from the Middle East.
Hamdan’s path to success began with a win in a Netflix short story contest, where she submitted an excerpt from What Will People Think?. This success led to her joining the Emirates Literature Foundation’s prestigious fellowship, a pivotal moment that she credits with transforming her writing career. “It gave me a famous author as a mentor and a chance to attend a writing workshop in New York,” Hamdan reflects.
Although the novel is set in Manhattan, it is Hamdan’s Arab heritage and humor-filled writing that make it stand out. Mia’s dual identity and her struggles with cultural expectations are at the heart of the narrative. Hamdan uses comedy to explore deep themes, such as familial obligations and the impact of post-9/11 stereotypes. “I wrote this novel in spurts, with my whole heart, using humor to uplift myself,” says Hamdan, who sought to portray an Arab female character who is both lively and hopeful. “I’ve never read a book featuring an Arab female character that wasn’t filled with sorrow,” she adds. “In my book, I wanted to create not just one, but four Palestinian lead female characters who are real, flawed, and relatable to people from any background.”
In addition to Mia’s modern-day story, Hamdan takes readers back in time to explore her grandmother’s life in Palestine before the 1948 Nakba. Through this narrative, the novel unfolds a humorous yet emotionally profound love story, set in two starkly different locations: Jaffa in 1947 and New York in 2011. This historical and cultural backdrop deepens the story’s emotional resonance while providing a broader perspective on the challenges of diaspora and identity.
Hamdan’s personal journey as an internationally traveled writer also informs her work. Born in Kuwait and having lived in the US, Tunisia, and Greece before settling in Dubai, she has gained a unique perspective on global identities and the commonality of human experience. “Reading is the best way to build empathy,” she says. “It offers direct insight into the thoughts of a character, so you live life through their eyes.” Hamdan’s travels have reinforced her belief that despite cultural differences, people are more alike than they often realize—and that love, in its many forms, is universal.
With What Will People Think?, Hamdan has created a debut that blends humor, history, and heartfelt storytelling, inviting readers to laugh, reflect, and embrace the complexities of identity and cultural expectations.
