A01=Radwa Ashour
Arabic literature
Author_Radwa Ashour
Category=FV
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eq_fiction
eq_historical-fiction
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fiction
literature in translation
Middle East studies
Spanish history
women in translation
Product details
- ISBN 9780815607656
- Weight: 416g
- Dimensions: 150 x 228mm
- Publication Date: 01 Oct 2003
- Publisher: Syracuse University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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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 bookbinderdashhis wife, widowed daughter-in-law, her two children, and his two apprenticesdashas 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 granddaughterdasha 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.
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.
