Abdullah Al-Samti

The well-known novelist Abdo Khal published a question on his Twitter page regarding changing the title of his new novel (Umbilical Cord) published by Dar Al-Saqi in London after discovering that the title had been used before.

Khal tweeted: "When I named my novel (Umbilical Cord), I was not aware that the name had been used, and I found six novels published with the same name, with my certainty that each novel is different, they met in the name only."

Abdo Khal added in his tweet: "I see that the novel should have a name that no one shares with it."

And for those who loved and love me, what is your opinion on changing the name of the novel, or should I keep it as it is? He who seeks advice is never disappointed.

Comments flooded in on the writer's request, reaching more than 320 comments.

Most opinions called for changing the title, while a few called for keeping it, including the opinion of the critic Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghadami:

If I were in your place, I would stick to my first desire. Our first desires are the conversation of the soul with the soul, and it is not fitting for us to break them. As for the text itself.. its argument is in it and not in its title."

The well-known novelist Khaled Khalifa wrote: "My opinion is to change it if there is a possibility."

And the poet Asia Al-Ammari stated: "Your stance on this matter is commendable, Mr. Abdo. In my opinion, as long as the book has not been offered for sale yet, it is better for the title to be changed a lot or a little, or to add a subtitle to it. And congratulations on the work, which I wish all the success."

The Egyptian novelist Ibrahim Abdel Meguid commented by saying: "Changing the title is better and counts for you. Try with the publisher as long as it is still under printing."

Among the requests and those requesting to change the title: Ibrahim Farghali, Youssef Al-Mohaimeed, Abdul Daim Al-Salami, Hind Al-Qathami, Nasser Al-Adeeli and others, while Abdullah Bajubeir and Hamoud Abu Talib saw keeping the title.

It is noteworthy that among the novels carrying the same title are those of the Syrian Maha Hassan, the Sudanese Muhammad al-Tayyeb, and the Egyptian Basma al-Ahwani.

And Abdo Khal is a prominent Saudi novelist who has published several novels, most notably: Fusuq, Clay, Throwing Sparks, Cities Eating Grass, and his novels won several awards, most notably the Booker.