Hayati, My Love

Amani Al-mehsen

Original title: Hayati, rakkaani

Author: Amani Al-mehsen

Published: 2025

Publisher: Otava

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 298

Reading material:

English sample + draft translation

English synopsis

Finnish edition

“Stories live longer than people.” A heart-wrenching tale of a journey from the sun-scented Middle East to the silent, snow-covered North.

Amal is born in Iraq in 1962 and grows up among sisters, in the shadow of brothers. At university, she meets her great love—but war comes between them. Her husband turns out to be a different man. Amal walks to a refugee camp alone with her children. In Finland, she buys a winter coat and runs in front of a car.

Inspired by the breathtaking life of the author’s mother—the first recipient of Finland’s Refugee Woman of the Year award—this debut novel captivates readers. It is a story of friendship and love, of a woman who never gives up, who believes in goodness and fights her way to freedom.

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Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

About author

Amani Al-mehsen

Amani Al-mehsen (born 1995) is an acclaimed columnist, journalist, and human rights expert. She was born into a refugee family in Kuopio and now lives in Helsinki.  Al-mehsen has built an impressive career advocating and specialising in fighting for the rights of those who are marginalised and often silenced. She travels around Finland and the world, speaking, consulting and educating on equity, equality and human rights. As a fearless spokesperson for women's rights and equality, she was elected the first ever Iraqi Finn president of the historical Women's rights association in Finland, Naisasialiitto unioni. Her columns in the National Broadcasting Media Yle and the largest Finnish women's media Me Naiset, have stirred societal conversation, empathy and unique insight into the lives, challenges and dreams of many diverse Finns. Al-Mehsen's writings deal with humanity in its most beautiful and most terrible forms. Hayati, My Love (2025) is her debut novel.

Bibliography


2025, Literary Fiction

Amani Al-mehsen

Hayati, My Love