AUTHOR-TRANSLATOR’S NOTE:

It was never my intention to write a novel. But there I was, stuck at home in the middle of a pandemic, running low on conversation topics with mom, sick of playing fetch with my dog and watching my cats sleep. Meanwhile, my friend Youssef was planning the launch of a brand new publishing house, and complaining, not about the economic crisis, or the fact that he’d have to have the launch party online due to the strict health measures, but rather about the lack of good manuscripts to publish. So I thought, “Why not write a novel for him?” Just so I don’t come off as a complete megalomaniac, I had written stuff before; a short story here, an article there … and based on the enthusiastic feedback those had gotten, I knew that I was a decent writer. And so it began. I don’t remember how I got the idea for “Sama – Best Detective Novel Ever!”, but I remember writing the ending first. The only two certainties I had, were that I wanted to make something dark, but light at the same time, so my sarcastic sense of humor was finally put to good use; and that I wanted my protagonist to be aloof and whacky – qualities that I had not so secretly been nurturing all my adult life, and which came in handy. I started writing, and I didn’t stop. I would wake up at dawn, flooded with the sound of paragraph after paragraph being recited in my brain, and I would grab my cell phone and furiously type away for hours. I would jokingly tell Youssef (who I had the courtesy of warning beforehand that I was writing a tailormade novel for his eyes only) that someone was writing this novel through me, since I was completely overtaken by the words, with no sense of control over what was being written or where things were headed. I just kept writing, spurred on by my friend (and personal cheerleader) Roubina’s zealous encouragements, and by Youssef’s creative feedback. Three weeks later, it was done. I never even read back what I had been writing (which is very unprofessional, I know. But I did it out of insecurity, not cockiness, if that helps.) 
Then it was on to the French version. Being a native French speaker, I couldn’t let someone else translate my work for me, even though my relationship with my “mother tongue” has been tumultuous over the years. I realized right away that a simple translation wouldn’t work, because I think and joke differently in French, so I opted for an adaptation instead. It turned out to be a less painful process than expected; since French brings out my pragmatic side, it fit well with Remi’s reserved and unexpressive personality.
Once it was over, I could only hope that I had made something funny. And to that effect, I had an arsenal of incongruous incidents to draw from personally, like that time I hit on myself in a bar, before realizing that I was sparking a conversation with my reflection in the mirror. (In my defense, I was rather inebriated at the time.) I also prayed my story wouldn’t be too predictable, hoping that the endless hours I spent watching true crime mysteries over the years had paid off. Looking back now though, I think ultimately, even without realizing it, I just wanted to prove, to myself first, that there really is a special someone out there for everyone; even psychotic, emotionally stunted people like Remi.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

When Eukalypto began collaborating with Patricia as a publishing consultant, translator, and editor, I had already read some of her work. I had no doubt she was a talented author. However, I wasn’t expecting her to send me the first pages of the novel she had started writing. Instantly, I fell in love with Remi, the main protagonist and the unique, unforgettable narrator of this out-of-the-box “murder” mystery.
In some aspects, “Sama” is one of the most unconventional books I have ever read. It’s entirely dictated by its narrator, Remi, who disregards genres, logic, and even the truth. An unreliable narrator, she fascinates us with her disdain for everything that does not revolve around her or is directly intended for her, and one can’t resist being pulled into her inner world.

Another noteworthy aspect of this novel is its uniqueness: “Sama” is, to our knowledge, the first openly lesbian novel written by an Arab woman. While the LGBT aspect isn’t the main plot, we at Eukalypto take pride in being a place where taboos can be challenged, and where every minority has an opportunity to be heard.