A UAE newspaper has said that the first nomination for an Emirati novel in the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction, IPAF, provides a significant fillip to this country’s literary scene.

In an editorial on Sunday, the English language daily, The National, said, "'One Room is Not Enough' by Sultan Al Ameemi has been longlisted for the 10th edition of the prize, along with 15 other novels from nine other countries.

"The book contains both depth and mystery. Its plot concerns a character who finds himself locked in a room and whose only contact with the outside world is through a keyhole to observe the daily life of the writer who created him and who, coincidentally, looks exactly like him. Al Ameemi chooses the keyhole as a metaphor for looking into the self and into the lives of other people, which, he says, is what everyone does.

"The nomination marks a milestone for Emirati literature. Naturally, we hope that Al Ameemi progresses to the short list and towards a shot at the prize itself. Even if he doesn’t, his example should serve to inspire the next generation of Emirati novelists," concluded the Abu Dhabi-based daily.