Return Tickets is a contemporary literary novel that follows the life of Abdullah Al-Musaed, a Saudi diplomat transferred to Uganda after serving in Pakistan. The novel moves between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, blending personal memory, political commentary, social critique, and emotional introspection.
Through Abdullah's experiences in Kampala - his encounters with diplomats, Islamic charity institutions, expatriates, African poverty, and political tensions - the novel explores identity, exile, cultural displacement, and moral ambiguity. Parallel to his diplomatic life, the narrative delves deeply into his complicated marriage, his emotional relationship with Farah, and the ideological tensions shaping Saudi society, especially the influence of religious movements such as Al-Sahwa.
The story shifts between present events in Africa and past memories of childhood, trauma, family conflict, social conservatism, migration, and the transformation of coastal Saudi communities. The novel combines political realism, psychological depth, social criticism, and lyrical prose. Themes of belonging, religious authority, sexuality, corruption, diaspora life, and emotional fragmentation are central.
It is a layered narrative that reflects on personal wounds, societal contradictions, and the tension between faith, power, love, and freedom.
