(Reviewed by JD Jung)
Author Egana Djabbarova shares a story about identity, illness, and cultural expectations in her novel, My Dreadful Body. Set between Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, it follows a Muslim woman who feels like she belongs nowhere—not in her country, not in her culture, and not even within her own family.
From a young age, she witnesses violence against Azeris in Russia, including attacks by skinheads. But the deeper conflict is internal. Living with dystonia—a painful neurological disorder where the muscles twist and contract, she is treated as “less than,” with relatives assuming no man will want to marry her. In a patriarchal society where marriage defines womanhood, her decision to remain single becomes an act of quiet resistance.
What makes this book especially powerful is its structure. Each chapter is named after a body part, a bold act of defiance in a culture where women are discouraged from speaking about their bodies at all. One example is her longing to puck her eyebrows—something forbidden to unmarried women. These intimate details make the story feel both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The writing itself is lyrical and immersive. The translated prose flows with a rhythm that mirrors the narrator’s emotional landscape—fragile, defiant, and searching. I was especially drawn to the candid portrayal of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia and the normalized misogyny that shapes generations of women.
This is more than a story about illness or cultural conflict—it’s a reflection on what it means to belong. Can a woman define herself outside of marriage and motherhood? And if she does, does she lose her place in her own history?
For readers interested in feminist literature, diaspora narratives, and stories of resilience, My Dreadful Body is a fascinating and unforgettable read. The author was forced to flee Russia in 2024 due to her LGBTQ activism and opposition to the war in Ukraine. I hope to read more translated works by her.