'Habibi' is a complex and unapologetic work of fantasy - no idle

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The room is bathed in soft light, the air quiet but full of possibility. Jack is seated on the couch, a book in his hands, his eyes fixed on the pages. The light from the window creates a calming atmosphere, but his expression suggests deep focus, as though the world around him is momentarily suspended. Jeeny stands near the bookshelf, her fingers lightly brushing the spines of various books. The scent of old paper and leather fills the air, blending with the sense of quiet anticipation in the room.

After a moment, Jack places the book down, his voice breaking the silence.

Character Descriptions

Jack: Male, around 35, tall and lean but strong. Sharp-featured face, grey eyes, low, husky voice. Pragmatic, logical, skeptical, often cynical. Speaks sharply, sometimes sarcastic, but carries hidden pain and loneliness.

Jeeny: Female, around 30, small frame, long black hair, deep brown eyes. Soft-spoken and emotional, yet fierce when defending her beliefs. Represents morality, empathy, and the power of the heart. Speaks poetically and with conviction.

Host: The narrator, an objective observer. Describes scenery, atmosphere, lighting, movements, inner emotions, and the rhythm of tension. Has a cinematic voice — like a camera lens observing the story.

Main Debate

Jack: “‘Habibi is a complex and unapologetic work of fantasy - no idle undertaking for readers of any faith or no faith at all, but one well worth the trouble.’ G. Willow Wilson wasn’t kidding. It’s not an easy read, but it’s definitely one that sticks with you. It’s this beautiful mess of storytelling, religious themes, and a deep dive into the human condition. It’s a book that challenges you, makes you uncomfortable at times, but in a way that forces you to think. I guess that's what makes it worth the trouble.”

Jeeny: She looks over at Jack, her expression thoughtful. “I agree, Jack. But don’t you think that complexity is part of the problem for some readers? When a book asks you to confront so many different ideas, sometimes it can be overwhelming. Wilson doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, but it can also make it harder for some to engage with the story. It’s almost like the book demands more from its readers than they might be willing to give.”

Host: The light in the room flickers as their conversation deepens. Jeeny’s words hang in the air, challenging Jack’s admiration of the book’s complexity. The contrast between their perspectives builds a gentle tension in the room, as if both are beginning to understand the different ways in which we engage with challenging narratives. Jack sits back slightly, processing Jeeny’s point, while she stands still, her gaze steady, offering her perspective.

Jack: “True, I get that. But don’t you think that’s part of the beauty of it? Literature should push you, shouldn’t it? If a book is too easy, too straightforward, then it doesn’t make you question anything. It doesn’t make you think. ‘Habibi’ isn’t here to provide easy answers. It’s about finding meaning in ambiguity, about looking at a world that’s messy and full of contradictions. Maybe that’s why it’s so powerful. It’s not about giving you comfort, it’s about challenging your ideas, forcing you to confront your beliefs, whether you like it or not.”

Jeeny: “I agree that literature should push boundaries, but not every reader is ready for that level of discomfort. Some people read to escape, to find comfort in stories, not to be challenged so much that they feel alienated. Habibi is unapologetic, and maybe that’s what makes it powerful, but it’s also what makes it hard to connect with for some. The themes it touches on are complex, sure, but they also demand a certain level of openness, a willingness to engage in hard conversations about faith, identity, and society. Not everyone is prepared for that.”

Host: The conversation continues, the weight of their differing perspectives pressing gently against each other. Jack turns his gaze back to the book in his hands, while Jeeny moves closer to the window, her fingers tracing the edge of the glass. The rain outside begins to soften, the rhythm of the drops adding to the growing sense of reflection in the room.

Jack: “Yeah, maybe. But I don’t think books like this are meant for everyone. Habibi asks a lot of its readers, but maybe it’s supposed to. Maybe not all stories are meant to be easy to digest. It’s like taking a hard look at the world and saying, ‘This is how it is. Deal with it.’ It forces you to confront the things you don’t want to think about — the things that make you uncomfortable. And that’s where its power lies. You can’t just skip over it. You have to think about what it’s saying, how it challenges everything you might have believed.”

Jeeny: “I don’t disagree, Jack. It’s just that not everyone wants to go through that process. Some people would rather read something that makes them feel good, something that offers hope, not just discomfort. Habibi doesn’t give you that comfort, and I think that’s what makes it so divisive. But maybe that’s the point, right? Some books are meant to stir us up, to make us uncomfortable, because they show us parts of ourselves that we’d rather ignore.”

Host: The room feels warmer now, the shift in the conversation moving toward a mutual recognition of the complexity and purpose behind the book. Jeeny's words have softened, as has Jack’s approach. They both understand that Habibi is not just a book, but a challenge — a call to face uncomfortable truths. The rain outside has slowed to a soft murmur, adding a sense of closure to their exchange.

Jack: “I guess we’re both saying the same thing. It’s about confronting the hard stuff, even if it’s uncomfortable. Habibi isn’t just a fantasy — it’s a way to open up dialogue about things we might not want to face. It makes you think, even when you don’t want to.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And that’s what makes it important. It doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, but it also demands that we engage with them. It’s a book that asks for more from its readers, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.”

Host: As the evening grows deeper, the world outside continues its quiet rhythm, while inside, Jack and Jeeny sit in a shared understanding. Habibi, with all its complexity and challenge, has brought them to a place of reflection — that literature, at its best, doesn’t just entertain, but challenges, disrupts, and forces us to reconsider our beliefs. They sit in a quiet appreciation for the power of stories that ask the hard questions, that require more from us, that demand we think. The light in the room fades gently as the conversation reaches its natural close, both recognizing that some stories are meant to make us uncomfortable, for it is in that discomfort that we find the opportunity to grow.