Aisha

Author's name: Al-Bashir bin Salama

"The Passersby" is one of the most important novels in contemporary Tunisian literature. Its events take place in the century preceding Tunisia's independence. It explores the history of two Tunisian families, from whose members the author chose four characters, each of whom he named after. The order of publication was as follows: "Aisha" (1982), "Adel" (1991), "Ali" (1996), and "Al-Nasser" (1998). With its many heroes and characters, "The Passersby" is a fictional history of Tunisian society during that pivotal period in the country's history. Aisha was born to a father who had recently risen from poverty and weakness to wealth and power after his association with the Tunisian rulers. However, this soft, peaceful life was soon turned upside down when the French occupation attacked Tunisia, changing—first and foremost—people's psychology and relationships. Aisha herself fell in love with Salem, who took her virginity, leaving her hostage to that fear—which presents another facet of our societies—until the moment came to marry Khaled. In the novel "Aisha," we read about the female protagonist, the storyteller and creator of events, who usually hides behind men. Here, we see the father's face growing older, his weakness and power eclipsing his old age. In the background, there is Aisha and her siblings, who grow up before our eyes with time and storytelling.