A Smile on His Lips by Yusuf Al-Sibai
1. Overview
2. Historical Context
The novel was written in the aftermath of the Six-Day War of 1967, during a period of deep crisis in the Arab world. It exposes the massacres carried out in Palestinian villages, the harsh realities of life under occupation, and the paralysis of Arab politics at the time.
The atmosphere it captures lies between the despair following 1967 and the renewed spirit of resistance leading up to 1973. While shadowed by grief, the novel also holds onto the possibility of defiance and dignity.
3. Main Characters
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Ammar: The central figure. As a child, he loses his family in a massacre and with them, his ability to smile. He grows into a young man burdened by grief and helplessness, until he finds a way to reclaim both his dignity and his smile—through resistance.
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Mai: A strong, idealized female character who symbolizes sacrifice and devotion. Her heroic act immortalizes the Palestinian cause.
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Abdel-Salam: A Palestinian father who offers his dearest possession—his son—for the sake of his homeland, refusing to yield to despair.
4. Plot Summary
The story follows Ammar, who, as a boy, watches his family and home destroyed by occupying forces. The trauma robs him of his childhood smile and plants in him a deep sense of injustice.
Years later, as an adult, he makes his choice: he takes up a rifle and joins the resistance. His fight is not only for revenge, but for self-respect, identity, and the assertion of existence itself.
One powerful passage captures this:
“All he possesses is to seize his rifle and fire until he falls… and in the sound of his shot, a warning to the enemy: that he exists… that he is Palestinian… alive… determined to return.”
The novel is not just Ammar’s story, but a collective portrait of a people erased from their land and struggling to endure. Characters like Mai—who sacrifices herself in an attack on an Israeli patrol—invite reflection on the many forms resistance can take.
The novel ends with Ammar’s martyrdom. Yet Yusuf Al-Sibai frames his death not as defeat, but as triumph. His final act becomes “a guiding light,” a signal shot that charts the road ahead. And in that last moment, Ammar’s lost smile returns—a symbol of victory of the spirit and fulfillment of purpose.
5. Style and Themes
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Romantic Realism: Al-Sibai weaves his trademark romanticism into the stark realism of occupation, balancing tenderness of feeling with the brutality of events.
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Symbolism: The smile in the title is a recurring symbol of hope, dignity, and unbroken will, even under oppression.
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Critical Tone: The novel sharply critiques hollow political rhetoric and false promises. A famous line reads: “Truth is troubling to those who have repeated lies until they themselves believe them.”
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Human Dimension: More than politics or war strategy, the novel highlights the human and moral essence of the Palestinian struggle.
6. Reception
Readers have praised the book for its emotional intensity, its vivid portrayal of Palestinian suffering, and its ability to move audiences through its characters. On platforms like Goodreads, it holds high ratings (with 39% of reviewers awarding it five stars).
Some critics, however, note that Al-Sibai’s emphasis on sentiment and romantic imagery sometimes overshadows the depth of his political and social critique.
7. About the Author
Yusuf Al-Sibai (1917–1978): A prominent Egyptian writer, soldier, and Minister of Culture. Famous for his romantic style, he was assassinated in Cyprus in 1978.
Other notable works: Azrael’s Deputy, Land of Hypocrisy, I Shall Depart, and Among the Ruins.
Personal Note
This was the very first novel I ever read.
For the original summary in Arabic
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