New Books Network Fadi Zaghmout, "The Man of Middling Height" (Syracuse UP, 2025)
Jul 8, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Fadi Zaghmout, a Jordanian author and advocate for sexual freedoms and body rights, delves into his latest work, exploring the intriguing concept of height as a measure of social status. He discusses the complexities of translating his novel from Arabic to English, shedding light on the narrative’s feminist themes. Zaghmout also reflects on the challenges of censorship in Jordanian literature and the role of storytelling in promoting discussions about identity and inclusion.
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From Blog to Novelist
- Fadi Zaghmout began writing in 2006 through a blog focused on sexual freedoms and body rights.
- He transitioned from blogging to novels to reach a wider audience, publishing his first novel in 2012.
Height as a Gender Allegory
- Zaghmout imagined a society where height, not sex, determines gender and social division.
- He explored how relationships and identities would be reshaped under height-based discrimination.
Publishing Challenges in Arabic
- Publishing the novel in Arabic faced delays due to COVID and logistical issues.
- Zaghmout initially resorted to self-publishing via print-on-demand before securing a Jordanian publisher.
