My Fellow Prisoner

Description

My Fellow Prisoner is a novel published by the Arab Institute for Studies and Publishing in Beirut in 2012. Spanning 344 pages, the novel recounts Ayman Al-Atoum’s experiences between 1996 and 1997. Its language is characterized by its poetic quality, interweaving different times and places, and delving into the depths of the human psyche. The novel sparked controversy upon its release, facing a ban by the Jordanian Department of Publications and Publishing due to its content. Its reputation spread throughout Jordanian political and cultural circles, and social media platforms began discussing the ban on its entry into Jordan.

After the ban on the novel was lifted, it spread throughout Jordan and enjoyed unprecedented popularity. Within two months, the first edition sold out in record time. The novel captivated Jordanian readers, as it recounts the author’s experiences in Jordanian intelligence prisons and other detention facilities, detailing the events that transpired. The novel also featured characters well-known in Jordanian political circles. It is worth noting that the novel was discussed 14 times in the author’s presence from its publication until June 2013. The third edition was published within a year of the first, and a seventh edition has been released to date.