The One Book program at Northwestern University in Qatar has selected Shubeik Lubeik, a graphic novel by Egyptian author and illustrator Deena Mohamed, as its 2024 reading.
Known for its vibrant art and imaginative storytelling, Shubeik Lubeik takes readers to an alternate Cairo where wishes are bought and sold, exploring the power and complexity of human desires. It follows the stories of three characters whose lives intersect as they navigate the moral, financial, and emotional ramifications of a world where wishes can be purchased.
Mohamed’s award-winning graphic novel provides insight into universal themes of ambition, empathy, and resilience. Since its publication, Shubeik Lubeik has gained international acclaim, earning the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation and nominations for both the Eisner and Hugo Awards.
“This year’s selection is both thrilling and thought-provoking,” said Sam Meekings, associate professor and chair of the One Book committee at Northwestern Qatar. “Through its unique premise and stunning visual storytelling, Shubeik Lubeik opens up avenues for discussion on aspirations, identity, and ethical choices, allowing our community to engage with themes that resonate on both personal and societal levels.”
“This year’s selection is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Through its unique premise and stunning visual storytelling, Shubeik Lubeik opens up avenues for discussion on aspirations, identity, and ethical choices, allowing our community to engage with themes that resonate on both personal and societal levels.”
The One Book program at Northwestern Qatar, inspired by the Evanston campus’s One Book One Northwestern initiative, is an integral part of the university’s commitment to intellectual engagement and community-building. Each year, the committee selects a book with themes relevant to the curriculum, aiming to create connections among students, faculty, and staff through a shared reading experience. The program also reflects the school’s role in advancing dialogues that extend beyond the classroom and connect to the broader global context.
As part of the One Book program, Northwestern Qatar will host a series of events, panels, and interactive discussions throughout the academic year, providing students and faculty with opportunities to explore Shubeik Lubeik’s themes. These events will encourage the community to explore the cultural, ethical, and social implications of wishes, dreams, and the struggles of Mohamed’s complex characters.
For the culminating event, Deena Mohamed is expected to participate in a community-wide discussion in the spring semester, offering students, faculty, and staff the unique opportunity to engage directly with the author. This dialogue will allow participants to gain deeper insight into Mohamed’s creative process, her inspiration for the novel, and her perspective on the power of storytelling in addressing social issues.
