After studying at the University of Birzeit, in the Palestinian occupied territories, she received a Fulbright Scholarship and went to continue her studies in the United States. She got an Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Doctor of Philosophy in Women"s Studies from the University of Iowa before returning to Palestine in 1988.
She is considered one of the most prominent Palestinian writers. One of her best-known works is the novel Wild Thorns (1976). An excerpt reads as follows:
"Halt!" The order came from a soldier sitting in front of the wooden walkway.
Usama stopped, his heart pounding.
"Open your suitcase!" The Israeli stretched out his hand and rifled the contents. "What"s this?" "Librium." "Yeah, you people are crazy about that stuff.".
