Float: Amira Ben Saoud's debut novel about identity and loss

Float: Amira Ben Saoud's debut novel about identity and loss

Amira Ben Saoud published a provocative new contribution to dystopian literature on March 18, 2025 with her debut novel "Floating". In addition to the book title, the work is characterized by identity and the search for belonging in an increasingly complex society. The novel illuminates how young people can lose their own identities in the various roles they play in a dystopian future. This is done in an isolated settlement in which a woman replaces her lost caregivers against money, which represents a strong picture for the loss of humanity and connection, such as [Dolomitenstadt] (https://www.dolomitenstadt.at/2025/03/ueber-das-schweben-jeßeit-der-der- Leichtkeit/)

“floating” is not only a narrative about individual experiences, but also reflects social issues such as the climate crisis and patriarchal structures. The presentation of the term “floating” in Ben Saoud's work is ambivalent and is enriched with positive and negative connotations. It addresses the feeling of uncertainty and the loss of identity, with which today's generation is confronted, and calls on readers to think about their personal roles and social structures. Ben Saoud makes an arch to her own journalistic career, which she accompanied during her time as editor -in -chief of the pop culture magazine "The Gap" and which significantly shaped the topics of her novel.

a change to the literature

The transition from the role as a journalist to the writer was a challenge for Ben Saoud. Her writing process, which began from 2019, describes her as a "super inefficient", but also as a phase of personal growth. In the Dolomitenstadt podcast, she explains how her letter has changed over the years and how these changes should flow into the development of her second book. "Floating" encourages readers to deal with the consequences of human actions and the challenges that arise from technological control and environmental degradation, topics that are also treated in dystopal literature such as in George Orwell's "1984" or Margaret Atwood "Oryx and Crake", explains [The Gap] (https://thegap.at/schweben- between-den-amira-aoud-und-ihr-dystopian-debuetroman/).

In dystopian literature, social and political grievances are often brought into the light. Dystopias show dark future versions that suffer greatly from totalitarian regimes. Important topics are monitoring, censorship and the suppression of freedom of expression, aspects that also play a role in Ben Saoud's work. This type of literature serves as a warning of the possible consequences of human action and offers critical insights into future realities, which underlines das-wissen.de.

an appeal for self -reflection

Amira Ben Saoud's "floating" should not only entertain, but also encourage the readers to reflect. With her book to deal with her own identity and the social roles, which we take every day with her book. In their readings and discussions, they and the editorial team of Dolomitenstadt take up important topics that are important for young people, and also illuminate the development of reading culture in a rapidly changing world.