Jokha Alharthi

Jokha Alharthi is an Omani novelist, short story writer, and academic whose work has brought contemporary Omani literature to an international audience. A scholar of classical Arabic literature, she combines a deep knowledge of literary tradition with a modern narrative voice, creating works that explore the complexities of family, memory, social change, and personal identity. She has also written children's literature, academic studies, and collections of short fiction.

Alharthi's fiction is known for its rich characterization, layered storytelling, and exploration of Oman's cultural and historical transformations. Her novels often examine the lives of women and families across generations, weaving together themes of love, loss, tradition, migration, and the tensions between the past and the present. Drawing on both literary experimentation and psychological insight, her work offers nuanced portraits of individuals navigating a rapidly changing society.

She gained international recognition when her novel Celestial Bodies, translated into English by Marilyn Booth, won the International Booker Prize, making her the first author writing in Arabic to receive the award. Her work has since been translated into numerous languages and has earned widespread acclaim for expanding global awareness of Omani literature and culture. Today, she is regarded as one of the most important contemporary voices in Arabic literature.