A powerful novel of life in the mixed culture that existed in
Southern Spain before the expulsion of the Arabs and Jews. Radwa
Ashour skillfully weaves a history of Granadan rule and an Arabic
world into a novel that evokes cultural loss and the disappearance
of a vanquished population. The novel follows the family of Abu
Jaafar, the bookbinder--his wife, widowed daughter-in-law, her two
children, and his two apprentices--as they witness Christopher
Columbus and his entourage in a triumphant parade featuring exotic
plants and animals, and human captives from the New World. Embedded
in the narrative is the preparation for the marriage of Saad, one
of the apprentices, and Saleema, Abu Jaafar's granddaughter--a
scenario that is elegantly revealed in a number of parallel scenes.
As the new rulers of Granada confiscate books, and officials burn
the collected volumes, Abu Jaafur quietly moves his rich library
out of town. Persecuted Muslims fight to form an independent
government, but increasing economic and cultural pressures on the
Arabs of Spain and Christian rulers culminate in Christian
conversions and Muslim uprisings. A tale that is both vigorous and
heartbreaking, this novel will appeal to general readers of Spanish
and Arabic literature as well as anyone interested in
Christian-Muslim relations.
General
Imprint: |
Syracuse University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Series: |
Middle East Literature In Translation |
Release date: |
October 2003 |
First published: |
November 2003 |
Authors: |
Radwa Ashour
|
Dimensions: |
223 x 148 x 22mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover
|
Pages: |
229 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-8156-0765-6 |
Categories: |
Books >
Fiction >
Genre fiction >
Historical fiction
|
LSN: |
0-8156-0765-2 |
Barcode: |
9780815607656 |
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