Society & Class

Examinations of class, power, and the structures we live within.

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Cities of Salt

Abd al-Rahman Munif

Cities of Salt is the first novel in Abdul Rahman Munif’s celebrated quintet exploring the transformation of the Arabian Peninsula following the discovery of oil. Set in a fictional oasis community in the Arabian Gulf, the story begins when foreign oil companies arrive and begin exploiting the region’s natural resources. Their presence disrupts the traditional way of life, forcing local inhabitants to confront unfamiliar technologies, new economic structures, and the growing influence of foreign powers. Through the experiences of villagers, merchants, tribal leaders, and migrant workers, Munif portrays the profound social and cultural upheaval caused by rapid modernisation. As oil wealth transforms the landscape, longstanding relationships and communal traditions begin to fracture, while new hierarchies of power emerge. The novel examines the consequences of economic exploitation, environmental destruction, and political domination, revealing how entire communities can be reshaped by forces beyond their control. With its expansive narrative and collective cast of characters, Cities of Salt offers a powerful reflection on the human costs of oil-driven development and the disappearance of traditional ways of life.

Saudi Arabia 1984

The Trench

Abd al-Rahman Munif

The Trench is the second novel in Abdul Rahman Munif’s Cities of Salt quintet, which explores the transformation of the Arabian Peninsula following the discovery of oil. Set in the fictional emirate of Harran, the novel follows the growing power of the ruling elite as oil wealth reshapes society, politics, and everyday life. Foreign interests, local rulers, and emerging institutions compete for influence, while ordinary people struggle to understand and adapt to a rapidly changing world. Through vivid characters and a broad social panorama, Munif examines how economic modernization can deepen inequality, weaken traditional communities, and concentrate power in the hands of a privileged few. The novel offers a critical portrait of a society caught between inherited customs and the disruptive forces of global capitalism, exposing the human costs behind promises of progress.

Saudi Arabia 1991

About this theme

Books: 2
Countries: 54

Countries with this theme

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Congo, Democratic Republic

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Dominican Republic