The Garden We Carry

The Garden We Carry

A brother and sister leave their mountain village carrying little more than memory, hope, and each other.

When Rashid and Rayya journey from the rugged highlands of Oman to the bustling port city of Muscat, they leave behind everything they have ever known. Far from home, they must navigate a world shaped by labour, power, and survival, while holding on to the land, traditions, and memories that continue to define them.

Winner of the 2025 Bait Alghasham DarArab International Translation Prize, The Garden We Carry is a luminous translated Arabic novel by acclaimed Omani writer Bushra Khalfan. Through the story of two ordinary lives, Khalfan explores migration, belonging, family, and the enduring bond between people and place.

Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, this unforgettable novel captures a changing Oman while asking timeless questions about home, identity, and what we carry with us when we leave everything behind.

Beautifully translated by Luke Leafgren, The Garden We Carry introduces English-language readers to one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Omani literature.