Jordanian writer Samir Al-Qudah presented his third novel, “The Devil’s Last Hours,” at Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum yesterday evening. The book, recently published by Al-Ahliya Publishing and Distribution, was introduced by Dr. Jamal Maqableh and novelist Jalal Barjes, and presented by writer Haya Saleh.

The novel traces the life of a rural boy who struggles against virtue and morality, driven by a traumatic event he witnessed at the age of ten, and using it as a  justification for his destructive actions, and letting no one escape his hatred and animosity. The story highlights the long-term psychological impact of a father’s absence, and the lack of communication between him and his children, especially as the family transitions from village life to the city.

The novel sets off in the village of Umm Balluta in northern Jordan, and then shifts to Munich and Istanbul, delving into the deep-seated scars of childhood neglect that fester especially when parents rarely pay attention to it and transforms the child into a human consumed by doubt, selfishness, and hatred, where he ultimately loses himself and the people around him. 

Dr. Maqableh emphasized that the novel touches on various themes, including social and political issues among other issues, and noted Al-Qudah’s skill in blending reality with fiction, making it challenging for readers, and leaving critics to evaluate how well he was able to blend fiction with reality. Barjes praised the novel for its bold portrayal of Jordanian society, particularly the military’s relationship with civilians, and its vivid depiction of a village youth enamored with urban life.

He noted that novelist Al-Qudah addresses Gaza, ISIS, and cities such as Istanbul, Munich, and Cairo, describing this as “an attempt to expand the narrative space in a way that would require an encyclopedia rather than a single novel.”

Novelist Jalal Barjes expressed his admiration for the novel, noting that it introduces readers to Jordanian society, the military in Jordan, and the relationship between the military and society. He explained that the novel engages with Jordanian society with a refreshing boldness, portraying the relationship of a dream-filled village youth passionately drawn to life in the city with all its complexities.

Barjes also pointed out that Samir Al-Qudah is a poet who descended from the heights of poetry into the realm of the novel, observing that the narrative carries a poetic quality in its events on which the novel relies. He emphasized that the novel fulfills the most essential condition of reading: enjoyment.

For his part, Al-Qudah remarked that a poet is a perpetual wanderer, and that writing poetry allows for a quicker ascent to emotional climax, especially when the poet fully controls the poem, as the task is relatively brief. Writing a novel, by contrast, requires full dedication and sustained discipline. He explained that one of the best moments for both poet and novelist during the writing of a novel is when a poem unexpectedly emerges, granting a period of poetic creativity filled with rhythm and musicality before returning to the novel. He noted that while each literary genre has its own distinct approach, they intersect through language.

At the opening of the book launch, writer Haya Saleh pointed out that “The Devil’s Last Hours” is distributed across multiple voices and characters, each contributing to a panoramic portrayal of a generation, events, and intertwined social relationships. She explained that the novel is a complex work blending autobiography, fictional narrative, and psychological, social, and political dimensions, offering a harsh and shocking depiction of a generation living on the edge, torn between the desire for salvation and surrender to the abyss.

It is worth noting that Samir Saeed Al-Qudah is a Jordanian poet and novelist, born in Ajloun in 1970. He studied civil engineering at the University of Jordan and is a member of the Jordan Engineers Association, the Construction Contractors Association, and the Jordanian Writers Association. His novels include “The Blue Fig City” (2023) and “Ayn al-Tays” (2022), in addition to poetry collections such as “A Woman Who Does Not Arouse Envy” (2003), “Naked” (2021), and “How Sweet the Taste of Freedom” (2007).