Enayat El Zayat : The Delicate and Typical Life {Tribute series}
Intro Disclaimer
No literary details will be tackled for interpretation or examination (unlike the former articles in this series). I will address my view on the human experience this writer had to encounter — the writer who later came to be recognized for her masterwork.
A Short Life Story Recap
Enayat al‑Zayyat was an introverted, clever girl who attended a German school, hoping to complete her studies and attend university to develop her writing skills. Proficient in German, and with Arabic as a foreign language, she was interested in Arabic literature. Then, as always, life just happened. Her hopes to get into university and complete her high school degree were at the door when, in the final year of her schooling, she faced a family‑arranged marriage to a man whose profile seemed “one in a lifetime”.
Later, the husband was found to be abusive — according to some book reviews, he had a record of beating and domestic violence, and issues in his attitude toward his wife. A divorce ensued, with custody initially awarded perhaps to her, but later transferred to the father on the basis of her psychiatric therapy history, and her son later did not identify her as his mother. Simultaneously, her first and only novel, Love and Silence (Arabic: al‑Ḥubb wa‑al‑Ṣamt) was rejected for publication. Her suicide coincided with the birthday party of her childhood best friend (the actress Nadia Lutfi) who discovered her absence and found her dead in her apartment. Wikipedia+1
Enayat al‑Zayyat often used her writing to express her sense of loneliness. I believe that loneliness is something many humans experience at some phase — perhaps even a universal feeling. She was described as delicate and emotionally sensitive — traits that can be strengths for great writers: the ability not to repress but to explore, and to not feel ashamed of sensitivity.
In her case, her sensitivity, emotional personality and delicacy are not the main “issue.” From my reading of her story, the main character in her tragedy is her high‑profile “good husband” (as arranged by the family) whose abusive behaviour and custody victory perhaps triggered her psychological collapse. She entered marriage with crushed educational hopes yet with the backing of parental guarantee of a good life. But life continued with loops of falls: she discovered she had been disappointed by everyone — even her only son, who once came from her body and shared her traits.
When she tried to work on her literary career and publish her novel, she was met with rejection. Perhaps she felt this was the only thing for her in life.
I want to stress a specific point that might be overlooked unconsciously: the psychiatric therapy history which caused her to lose custody of her son. Was she truly dangerous or unable? Meanwhile, her husband, abusive and sociopathic, was considered capable. Psychiatric therapy carried in that society a strong social shame.
Even though those who seek therapy are often the “safe” personalities and predators roam free, the court still preferred the husband. The son later did not identify his mother. This was the life of the introverted, delicate writer.
Yet, life is full of surprises and blessings that one might not notice. Maybe her pain at that point was unbearable. Perhaps she simply didn’t want to find out what might come next. Maybe she wanted to end her role in a life book that gave her endless misery.
Subjective Interpretation
I couldn’t help but think: Why didn’t you, Enayat, attend your best friend’s birthday?! She could have been your consolation in those hard times. She invited you. Your parents thought you had an overnight stay planned. Instead, perhaps your pain was too deep for sharing, your body simply couldn’t accept the fact of going somewhere. You chose suicide in silence — just like your story.
Why couldn’t you tell your friend what was happening?! Of course, no one can fully understand all suicidal acts in detail. But there could have been a decline in your mental health, particularly after losing your son, the custody shame, the societal stigma. And yes, psychiatric therapy stigma can take lives — and society should be held accountable for its role.
Even if you discontinued therapy out of stigma, this indicates why society should punish and campaign against its predators. In a sick society obsessed with looking “healthy”, the ignorant educated class should be taught or punished. I still cannot understand why therapy is stigmatised while predatory actors roam free.
After the suicide, your best friend Nadia Lutfi wanted to publish your story, which she successfully did. A famous Egyptian writer, Mustafa Mahmoud, introduced the work, and you gained literary recognition from known writers like Anis Mansour. Although the novel wasn’t a commercial hit (due to Egypt’s situation in 1967), you were acclaimed for your style. The novel was even turned into a film starring Nour El‑Sherif and Nelly — albeit not a blockbuster. Ahram Online+1
Beyond Expectations
Yet your story was not over. A writer (Iman Mersal) found your novel in the cheap second‑hand book stalls in Cairo’s Al‑Azbakeya quarter, read it and felt a deep connection. She went on to interview relatives, collect data, and publish Traces of Enayat (original Arabic: Fi Athar Enayat al‑Zayyat) in 2019 — a book that became a sensation among readers and culturally influential figures.
That’s why I too am writing my view on your story — even though I did not read that book, I encountered your biography and story through widely published sources.
References
“Enayat al‑Zayyat.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia+1
Mersal, Iman. Traces of Enayat (English translation). And Other Stories, 2023. Shakespeare and Company+1
“On the Trail of Enayat al‑Zayyat.” Al Majalla. 29 May 2021. Almajalla
“Sheikh Zayed Book Award 2021.” The National. 2021. The National+1
“Book Review – Love and Silence: An incomplete novel.” Ahram Online. Ahram Online
Comments
Post a Comment