These Bodies of Water: Notes on the British Empire, the Middle East and Where We All Meet

by Sabrina Mahfouz

Are you not made of Suez silt?
How do we know you won't
shore our boats
by making yourself bigger
than we made you?

Sabrina Mahfouz once sat in a Whitehall interview room and was interrogated about everything from her political leanings to her private life. It was ostensibly a job interview, but implicit in their demands was the unspoken question: as a woman of Middle Eastern heritage, could she really be trusted?

Years later, Sabrina found herself confronting the meaning behind this interrogation, and how it was specifically informed by the British Empire's historical dominance in the Middle East. These Bodies of Water investigates this history through the Middle Eastern coastlines and waterways that were so vital to the Empire's hold. Interwoven with her own personal experiences, Sabrina combines history, politics, myth and poetry in a devastating examination of this unacknowledged part of Britain's colonial past.

Part history, part polemic and part intimate memoir, These Bodies of Water is a tapestry of writing that tells the story of Britain's relationship with the Middle East in the most revealing terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Essays, Politics

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2022

Reviews

[Jungian.Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meditation on the overpowering and brutal influence of British Imperialism and Colonialism in the Middle East and current day politics that still leads to deaths forged by capitalism.

I have got to say that I have never thought about how much influence the British has in promoting wars and capitalism, especially through the water ways, from the Nile to the Suez canal

This book chronicles a series of job interview questions that Sabrina was posed with, where her identity as a woman of Middle Eastern heritage was a signpost of distrust. This actually speaks to a larger conversation on how the lens with which we view people of Middle Eastern heritage was shaped solely by the British need to hide and reshape their past and even present.

I loved how self-aware Sabrina was. She touched on white passing and code switching, the disadvantages, without hesitating to highlight the privileges it has afforded her. I enjoyed her side-line take on a lot of the political conflicts, highlighting how different political conversations are had in the homes of people in diaspora.

This was a great history lesson for me and I will be checking out her poetry and plays. She writes so beautifully, which made it easy for me to read this book, considering that I tend to struggle a lot with semi non-fiction books like this.

Thanks to Tinder Press for sending an ARC of this book to me.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might honestly end up being my favourite book of the year.

I don't know what more I can say apart from everyone needs to read this book. It was eye-opening and provocative. I felt deeply connected to the intertwining history and semi-fictional narrative. It felt like a breeze to read but somehow it will leave an imprint on me like a storm.

Overall the book explores how British colonialism has had horrendous impacts on the Middle East, and still is today. So much need-to-know history in a very easy to read, engaging book.

There was one passage which I really related to about being a white presenting woman who is in fact half middle eastern. I have never been able to quite understand or express myself in that context, so thank you so much Sabrina Mahfouz for bringing me words that represent lifetime feelings. I will definitely be following you and your work.

[Shreyas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like the rough draft of Ayad Akhtar’s Homeland Elegies. It is powerful, moving and adeptly weaves in striking imagery with bloody historical facts. Even so, something feels missing. It presents the weight of 200 years of world shaping history delivered with all the research quality and vocabulary of an earnest college sophomore considering a writing career.

[chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars — both a memoir & a polemic, it never quite succeeds at either, with the fictionalised interrogation more distracting than anything. some strong parts at points (the Palestine chapter & Jordan chapter for example) but let down by how broad it was

[Annkathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mahfouz uses snippets from her Developed Vetting interview at the MOD as starting points to take the reader on a pinball journey across and between different Arab nations and the UK, exploring the history and water-bound motives of the British Empire in the region, and how its colonial aftermath affects these places today.

She blends this geopolitical and cultural polemic with deeply personal recollections and impressions as a person whose heritage is inextricably tied to that empire, and she speaks of her resentment, empowerment, and exploitation in frank and refreshing ways.

As someone who has studied in Cairo, worked in Dubai, and trained with the MOD, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these places, organizations and experiences, and the complicated, messy, discreditable facets of their character through Mahfouz's eyes.

As I read, her voice and convictions felt at times visceral, raw, resolute and defiant, and at times vulnerable, conflicted, and mindful. She is comfortable in her complexity and invites the reader to challenge preconceived narratives by laying her own, convoluted personal journey bare.

[Inaas Slimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressively witty and creative approach to narrating a painful and often misunderstood history and present of the Middle East by looking at identity and water. Sabrina Mahfouz effortlessly intertwines her experience existing in the country that so brutally colonised the countries of her family (Guyana and Egypt) with the apparent implications of England’s ruling over the bodies of water in the Middle East. History, politics and identity combined in a practical way to make sense of today’s reality in many countries in the region.

[Megan Studdert-kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a mix of history with personal account and fiction, this book is a reflection of the British Empire in the Middle East. It made me think about so many different things - but mainly empire and water. A must read

[Lauren010 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting premise, really interesting person and life-story, middling execution

[Naman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts poetry, autobiography and a clear-eyed perspective on water crises in the Middle East, this book is a must-read for anyone living in or belonging to the region as well as anyone who has wondered why the MENA region is perpetually in such a state of upheaval. Ms Mahfouz also makes abold statement that an intersection between arts and sciences is not just viable but necessary to dive into such a complex subject, with her beautiful poetry and her own fascinating life story.

Of course, it is a sharp dissection of UK's colonial and post-colonial soft power around water and the Middle East, so if you are one with fond memories of "the good ol' days when everyone knew their place," this might cut deep, but for the rest of us, it is a necessary deep dive into why a mostly desertified region continues to be such a hotbed for conflict, despite all the 'aid' flowing to the region.

My one nit-pick would be the way the US is portrayed as a background puppet master (instead of the director and producer in the regional military theatre) and how countries like Oman, Algeria, Turkey and Libya get a footnote mention, but honestly, I do understand that Ms Mahfouz chooses to write what she knows and explores a lesser known narrative.

I also appreciate that she tries to end on a positive note amidst such a complex and grief-entrenched topic, even if it does ring a bit hollow seeing the latest geopolitical developments.

Her poetry is the gem in all of this and her use of imagery and abstraction is absolutely beautiful. I'd also strongly suggest the audiobook experience to really hear her words come to life.

[Emily Dillistone · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Bodies of Water will make you laugh, cry, nod, and drop your jaw. Sabrina Mahfouz provides the history we were denied in schools while simultaneously humanising sex work. I feel grateful to have discovered this book.

Books that weave together different genres are so beautiful. This book is a patchwork of memoir, journalism, poetry, interview transcripts, and mythology. These Bodies of Water really tickles the mind in an intellectually nourishing way.

Sabrina Mahfouz invites her reader into a tender level of intimacy, often addressing us when making jokes about the civil service interviewer or the toxic people in her life. Every word she writes feels real and significant.

I’ve recently been enjoying “political journalism filled with statistics and interspersed memoir written in a witty, accessible way by people of colour”. Other books like this: Natives by Akala; Africa is Not a Country by Dipo Faloyin; Consumed by Aja Barber.

[Noura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. It was a quick read, and it include a lot of politics about the Middle East, and I think it’s a good starter - If you’re trying to get into that material, the author uses some personal narratives and metaphors. And a lot of this was relatable being Arab myself living in a Western imperialistic country.

While many think that the Middle East is valued for its oil, the author delves deeper into how it was actually the bodies of water that started Britain’s imperialism.

I found the writing style sometimes a little confusing and lacking details when I needed it. But nevertheless it was great and inspired me to learn more.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute gem of a book. This book is part memoir and part reflection of the historical involvement of Britain in the Middle East. The author used to be a civil servant and the book is inspired by questioning she had to undergo to get higher security clerance. Via these questions she reveals things about her life and self and then thematically links something the British did in the Middle East. Theoughout she also inserts poems and aabsolutely beautiful language. The theme of water and control is constant throughout the book. FANTASTIC!!

[Jen Loong-Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise using waterways as foundation of the boom to connect author’s experience/POV about Britain’s colonialism and the rest of the world. Chapters about Jordan and UAE were kept interesting for me. Equal parts storytelling and well researched facts - no east feat.

Surprised to not see India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and so many other regions discussed in this book - pity!

At times, the stories read a bit dragging on; but other than that, very enjoyable read all around.

[alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

the author interestingly uses water as a focal point for both examining britain’s colonial and imperial presence in the middle east, as well as her own identity as a british arab.

whilst i liked the way that the author uses a fictionalised version of her own MOD interview to explore these topics, i generally struggled with the format of this book which was part memoir, part history, part poetry. it also felt too broad in scope.

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book. Only reason for the 4, is because of the use of “Persian Gulf” instead of the “Arabian Gulf”, and because the UAE chapter disappointed. Had so much potential to talk about the role of the British in the Buraimi dispute (a water source), or the Arabian Gulf, rather she spent pages talking about desalination and future projects rather than connecting it to colonial involvement.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic account of the history of the British Empire in the Middle East and the impact of colonialism, told through the unique lens of focusing on the area's waters. This is told alongside the author's personal experience of these places.

"Just as we have to change the way water is consumed, managed and recycled, so we have to change the way we drink in the words."

[Dániel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a non-fiction reader but this book caught my eye.

Eyeopening exploration of the MoD and a damning picture exploring ongoing institutional racism, colonialism, islamophobia and the subte deniability of it.

It is so obvious spelled out like this, and yet it is shocking.

[Maddy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the way Mahfouz used her interview at the MOD to tell the story of the British empire in the Middle East, important book covering important details about England (and much of Frances) involvement in Palestine, Jordan, U&E and Bahrain

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some relevant historical facts and storytelling, however I strongly disliked the writing and structure of this book. The writing lacks maturity and there are fragments of personal memoirs and other stories which aren’t cohesive, there is a lot of ‘fluff’ that just doesn’t work for me.

[Afowler94925 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written, fascinating to the end.

[Nick Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good anecdotes, combined with facts and fab reading list!

[Kiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murky writing but maybe that’s the point

[Hanane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, informative and easy. The chapter on Palestine is particularly devastating and prescient.