Jordanian Village's Evolution Chronicled in Al-Zayoud's Novel 'Es'eid'

The novel "Es'eid" by Jordanian author Mohammed Abdel Karim Al-Zayoud, published in 2025, chronicles the transformation of a Jordanian village from its nomadic origins to a modern city. The reviewer notes that the novel, Al-Zayoud's first work they have read, initially seemed autobiographical but evolved into a narrative about the development of the village of Es'eid. This evolution, spanning three decades from the early 1950s to 1980, saw the village grow from a collection of families living a Bedouin lifestyle into a town, and later a city named Al-Hashemiyah after the establishment of a petroleum refinery.

The reviewer draws parallels between the novel's depiction of Es'eid and their own village, Al-Sawahra, near Jerusalem, referencing Mahmoud Shukair's literary trilogy. The novel "Es'eid" is seen as representative of Jordanian, Palestinian, and Levantine villages, highlighting shared experiences over the 1950-1980 period. The protagonist, Qassem Al-Saleh, represents the children of that era who worked from a young age to support their families, while his sister Fadha was forced to leave school early and marry young. Their younger brother, Awad, received a secondary education and began university in Beirut but did not complete his studies due to the Lebanese Civil War.

The narrative details the establishment of a two-room school and the significant impact of the petroleum refinery and the electricity company, which acquired large tracts of village land and caused pollution. The novel also touches upon the strong bond between the Jordanian and Palestinian peoples, referencing Jordanian participation in battles in Palestine and the 1967 Israeli air raids on eastern Jordan. The Battle of Al-Karameh in March 1968 is also mentioned, with the death of Karim Al-Alian, a resident of Es'eid.

As Es'eid became Al-Hashemiyah, residents found employment in the refinery and electricity company, leading to a decline in agriculture. The village experienced widespread construction, the opening of shops including supermarkets, and a shift away from farming and animal husbandry towards urban life, with many villagers migrating to cities. The novel also mentions surrounding villages and their connections to Zarqa and Amman, ultimately portraying the social evolution from nomadic life to village and city existence with engaging storytelling.