Summary

In Chapter 8, “Motherhood,” Mayya is quite busy with the tasks of taking care of her newborn daughter. Due to expected gender roles, she must bear all of the responsibilities herself, and she is tired all of the time. Asma talks about how motherhood must be the best feeling in the world. Mayya, irritated, ignores Asma. Mayya eventually gave birth to two more children: sons Salim and Muhammad. Mayya thinks of her brother Hamad, who died when he was young. The narration states that when London is an adult, there will be much tension between her and Mayya, as Mayya will view London as entitled and disrespectful. In Chapter 9, “Abdallah” (IV), after the death of his father Sulayman, Abdallah moves his family to the city of Muscat, where Abdallah does business. When Sulayman was alive, he would not allow Abdallah to move, as Sulayman viewed...