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Islam Quintet #4
Sultan u Palermu
Radnja četvrtog romana iz Islamskog kvinteta Tarika Alija odvija se u srednjovekovnom Palermu, muslimanskom gradu koji po lepoti i veličini ne zaostaje za Bagdadom ili Kordovom. Godina je 1153. Normani osvajaju Siciliju, ali na celom ostrvu i na dvoru dominiraju arapska kultura i jezik. Sultan Ruđeri (kralj Rožer) okružen je umnim muslimanima, naložnicama, kao i upravom koju predvode nadareni evnusi.
U ovom očaravajućem romanu Tarik Ali nam predstavlja život i ljubavi srednjovekovnog kartografa Muhameda al Idrisija. Rastrzan između sultana, koji mu je prisan prijatelj, i prijatelja koji napuštaju ostrvo ili kuju zavere da se odupru normanskoj vladavini, Idrisi traži privremenu utehu u naručju stare tajne ljubavi. Ali – nenadano će se naći u središtu ljubavi dve divne žene.
Sultan u Palermu je priča u kojoj se ponos, pohlepa i požuda prepliću sa otporom i uzvišenošću. To su odjeci prošlosti koji se i danas mogu čuti.
„Majstorski vođena i izvanredno ispripovedana uzbudljiva priča o pobuni i podmetanju, intrigama i ljubavi...“ Guardian
„Raskošno satkana tapiserija koja se i pre no što je završena može uporediti s Kairskom trilogijom Nagiba Mahfuza.“ Kirkus Review o Islamskom kvintetu
U ovom očaravajućem romanu Tarik Ali nam predstavlja život i ljubavi srednjovekovnog kartografa Muhameda al Idrisija. Rastrzan između sultana, koji mu je prisan prijatelj, i prijatelja koji napuštaju ostrvo ili kuju zavere da se odupru normanskoj vladavini, Idrisi traži privremenu utehu u naručju stare tajne ljubavi. Ali – nenadano će se naći u središtu ljubavi dve divne žene.
Sultan u Palermu je priča u kojoj se ponos, pohlepa i požuda prepliću sa otporom i uzvišenošću. To su odjeci prošlosti koji se i danas mogu čuti.
„Majstorski vođena i izvanredno ispripovedana uzbudljiva priča o pobuni i podmetanju, intrigama i ljubavi...“ Guardian
„Raskošno satkana tapiserija koja se i pre no što je završena može uporediti s Kairskom trilogijom Nagiba Mahfuza.“ Kirkus Review o Islamskom kvintetu
279 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
38 people are currently reading
1132 people want to read
About the author
Tariq Ali
137 books804 followersTariq Ali (Punjabi, Urdu: طارق علی) is a British-Pakistani historian, novelist, filmmaker, political campaigner, and commentator. He is a member of the editorial committee of the New Left Review and Sin Permiso, and regularly contributes to The Guardian, CounterPunch, and the London Review of Books.
He is the author of several books, including Can Pakistan Survive? The Death of a State (1991) , Pirates Of The Caribbean: Axis Of Hope (2006), Conversations with Edward Said (2005), Bush in Babylon (2003), and Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity (2002), A Banker for All Seasons (2007) and the recently published The Duel (2008).
He is the author of several books, including Can Pakistan Survive? The Death of a State (1991) , Pirates Of The Caribbean: Axis Of Hope (2006), Conversations with Edward Said (2005), Bush in Babylon (2003), and Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity (2002), A Banker for All Seasons (2007) and the recently published The Duel (2008).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 2, 2019
Each of the novels in this quintet stands on its own but the recurring theme is the historical relationships between religions. The fourth in the series is set in Siqilliya- Sicily - in the 12th century. It is ruled by King Roger II, Sultan Rujari, a Norman whose forebears conquered the previous Arab rulers of the island. The main character is Al-Idrisi, a cartographer and polymath who is close to the Sultan until the Barons take advantage of the Sultan’s ill health to undermine Arab influence on the island.
Much of the book is about al-Idrisi’s personal life and other reviewers have slated that. All of the books are in the same format though. Through the life of someone close to the seat of power, Ali explores the shortcomings of each religion, Muslim, Christian and Jewish, equally and often mercilessly. Rather than being an annoying distraction, al-Idrisi’s complicated family life is light relief to the backdrop of massacres and turmoil.
3 stars. I’m enjoying this series. I’m not blown away by it but the political, social, and religious history is interesting.
Much of the book is about al-Idrisi’s personal life and other reviewers have slated that. All of the books are in the same format though. Through the life of someone close to the seat of power, Ali explores the shortcomings of each religion, Muslim, Christian and Jewish, equally and often mercilessly. Rather than being an annoying distraction, al-Idrisi’s complicated family life is light relief to the backdrop of massacres and turmoil.
3 stars. I’m enjoying this series. I’m not blown away by it but the political, social, and religious history is interesting.
January 20, 2022
This is somewhere between a 3 and 4 stars for me. The book narrates the life of medieval cartographer Muhammad al-Idrisi in King Roger/Sultan Rajari era Palermo. I enjoyed the historical setting of the novel and its exploration of political and religious relations in 12th century Sicily from a Muslim perspective. However, the second half of the book took a nosedive for me as the story started focusing more and more on Idrisi's personal life. I would have enjoyed it much more if Ali had continued to focus the story on the politics of the time.
November 2, 2018
Ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο που αναφέρεται στην Σικελία του 12ου αιώνα και στην βασιλεία του Ρογήρου ΙΙ, ο οποίος έδειξε ανοχή στα διάφορα θρησκευτικά πιστεύω και συγκέντρωσε στην αυλή του διακεκριμένους άντρες διαφόρων φυλών, μεταξύ των οποίων και τον Άραβα γεωγράφο Muhammad al Idrisi, κεντρικό πρόσωπο στο ιστορικό αυτό μυθιστόρημα.
September 17, 2012
Sigh. I know there's a fifth book, but at the time I bought these, it was actually still a quartet, so I'm going to pretend it's still a quartet and call it a day.
I liked the historical context and the politics. I wish Ali would stick to history and politics. Instead, we spend most of our time with the palace geographer and intimate of the Sultan in Palermo (c. 1153). The political crisis is interesting: the Christian Sultan, whose reign has been more or less tolerant toward Muslims, is dying. He's getting pressure from his Christian advisors to burn a trusted Muslim advisor, and the people are restless. Should they rebel now, or wait until the Sultan is dead?
Unfortunately, we don't get much more than that. About 3 quarters of the story consists of Idrisi, the geographer, having lots of sex and fathering children. All of the books tend to get a bit...earthy...at times, but geez, this one was just a little too much. I would have been much more interested in the mapmaking adventures, as well as some background on the political pressures that are coming to bear. Nope: we get to read a lot about Idrisi's "seed." Hey, if you're into that....
I liked the historical context and the politics. I wish Ali would stick to history and politics. Instead, we spend most of our time with the palace geographer and intimate of the Sultan in Palermo (c. 1153). The political crisis is interesting: the Christian Sultan, whose reign has been more or less tolerant toward Muslims, is dying. He's getting pressure from his Christian advisors to burn a trusted Muslim advisor, and the people are restless. Should they rebel now, or wait until the Sultan is dead?
Unfortunately, we don't get much more than that. About 3 quarters of the story consists of Idrisi, the geographer, having lots of sex and fathering children. All of the books tend to get a bit...earthy...at times, but geez, this one was just a little too much. I would have been much more interested in the mapmaking adventures, as well as some background on the political pressures that are coming to bear. Nope: we get to read a lot about Idrisi's "seed." Hey, if you're into that....
November 13, 2012
Sultan in Palermo is set in the Middle Ages Sicily, at the time when Arabs, having already lost control of the island live alongside the ruling Normans (who are Christians). The main characters are two major historical figures, Sultan Rujeri of Sicily (otherwise known, King Roger II of Sicily) and his protégé, Muhammad al-Idrisi, a cartographer. A mostly peaceful co-existence, however, the tension and fear of persecution are ever present among the minority Arab population. The historical and cultural backgrounds were fascinating, unfortuneately the story quickly lost its focus and too involved with the romantic and erotic interests of the protagonist Muhammad al-Idrisi. A disappointing distraction to the historical plot.
August 8, 2014
As with the previous 3 novels in the quintet, “A Sultan in Palermo” stands on its own. Set in Sicily in 1153 when it was ruled by the Christian Sultan/King Hauteville (Roger II) rather earlier when it was ruled by the Muslims, Ali focuses not on military and political power, but on the co-mingling of religious cultures (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Olympian) and all that was lost when the religions pulled violently apart from one another.
His books attempt to undermine the orthodoxies of both the West and the Muslim worlds; a kind of double-bladed heresy, cutting against Western ignorance on the one hand, and Muslim pieties on the other.
His books attempt to undermine the orthodoxies of both the West and the Muslim worlds; a kind of double-bladed heresy, cutting against Western ignorance on the one hand, and Muslim pieties on the other.
October 27, 2020
After reading the first three books in The Islam Quintet, I'm disappointed with the fourth. I had hoped to read A Sultan In Palermo, a work of historical fiction that told of the real and imagined lives of people in mid-12th century as a means to examine how Sicily transformed from a Muslim yet multicultural society into a more uniform Christian one. Instead I read A Geographer In Her Pants: Women Want Him, Men Want To Be Him, a romance style novel so eye rollingly awful it overwhelms anything of interest. Unfortunately, it's not possible to convey the dime novel trashiness of this book without spoilers. Suffice it to say the cover art should have had a male model with a woman on either side, each vying to rip his clothes off. After reading this, I'm not sure I'll finish the series. 1 star because there was some potential for an interesting story.
May 5, 2007
It's a historian's book inasmuch as it offers a great glimpse into what was Arab Sicily (Siqilliya) in the middle 12th century. One never would have assumed the flourishing of Muslim and Arab culture so close to the stronghold of the Vatican, but several assumptions can be demolished when one reds this book. But I guess Tariq Ali thought he could do what Umberto Eco did -- try to transcend being a scholar to being a writer. The writing is bad, the story is non-existent and the plots are quite specious. Bad literature, good glimpse into history.
July 6, 2013
My favorite and also my first of the Islam Quintet. I love these books-- they should be required reading as they show the marvelous and the sad history of the Islamic people the world order. But mostly they show the incredible amount of diversity and acceptance classic Islam had, and will again.
May 22, 2016
Με αυτό το βιβλίο έγινε η γνωριμία μου με τον Tariq Ali το καλοκαίρι του 2015, μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ (δεν ήθελα να τελειώσει) κι έτσι ξεκίνησα για τα υπόλοιπα 4 βιβλία της 5λογίας του ισλάμ.
March 5, 2020
A rather lackluster dab into the history of - King Roger and El Idrisi (the Moorish map-maker)of Palermo in the 11th Century at the sunset of the Moorish civilization in Sicily. Expected much better from Tariq Ali. I fear, sufficient research was not done in order to breathe life to these two illustrious characters. Tariq Ali apparently tried to hide this shortcoming by spicing it up with sex, his favorite condiment. But in this case, those attempts were abrupt, out of place, and unrealistic, showing his poor understanding of the human mind. I'm sure, the original "Book of Roger" by El Idrissi is far more appealing than this work of fiction.
Disappointed:(
Disappointed:(
March 7, 2022
This is the first novel I read from the quintet and I would like to say that it is good even as a stand alone.
October 21, 2023
A period in history that I knew little about - the Muslim rule over Europe, all the way to Italy. This tiny island serves as a reflection of the troubles that are facing much of Europe at the time. The start of the Crusades, the rise of England as a power, and the decline of Muslim cultural influence. An intriguing story with many complex characters.
January 31, 2025
Тарик Али има едноставен, но истовремено и живописен начин на проповед.
Нема да му ги простам неколкуте избрзани описи, онаму каде најмногу очекував да дознам што се случило...
Во секој случај - освежувачко, ништо повеќе.
Нема да му ги простам неколкуте избрзани описи, онаму каде најмногу очекував да дознам што се случило...
Во секој случај - освежувачко, ништо повеќе.
January 13, 2024
U ovoj knjizi mi se dopada historija, koja je i glavna radnja, kako su muslimani izglubili vlast i bili protjerani i ubijani na Siciliji. Nisam ni znala da su oko 1150 godine bili vecinsko stanovnistvo. Ono sto mi se ne dopada je glavni lik ove knjige, koji je pisac i moreplovac Idrisi i njegov odnos prema porodici, zenama i uopce. Kao ni likovi sestara Maye i Belkise. Ali naucila sam nesto novo o istoriji o kojoj nisam nista znala, kroz ipak zanimljivu pricu.
October 24, 2008
buku ini saya baca dalam translasi bahasa indonesia. entah kenapa, buat saya sepertiga awal dari buku ini cukup sulit diikuti. Percobaan membaca ketiga baru saya dapat memahami jalan pikiran penulis. Tetapi, begitu kecepatan jalan ceritanya meningkat - khususnya setengah terakhir, cerita cukup dapat dinikmati. meskipun bab terakhir terasa dipercepat (mungkin karena sultan rujarinya sudah mati, kali ya??)
yang pasti, memahami muhammad al idrisi sang amir al kitab - sang tokoh utama, menjadi pengalaman penuh penolakan. idrisi tokoh yang memakai berlapis topeng yang ditujukan bukan untuk menyenangkan orang lain, tetapi lebih untuk menyelamatkan batang lehernya. meskipun kematian rujari dan mayya (khususnya)- menjadi cambuk penyadaran tersendiri buatnya.
agama untuk hampir semua tokoh dalam buku - kecuali buat philip al mahdi, dapat disemukan garis batasnya untuk menyelamatkan nyawa masing-masing. dari gelombang peristiwa yang naik turun sepanjang membaca buku, dapat diasumsikan bahwa agama (apapun agama yang dianut masing tokoh-tokoh pembangun cerita) hanya sepuhan emas. tidak mencapai inti manusianya.
meskipun mengambil latar keruntuhan kekhalifahan islam di wilayah sisilia, sentilan yang diberikan tariq ali menyentuh kehidupan sekarang. untuk sebagian besar orang, tampilan agamis menjadi sepuhan emas pribadi seseorang. diluar itu, perintah-perintah yang terkandung didalamnya hanya menjadi bahan lelucon.
satu contoh, dari cerita idrisi pada selingkuhannya balkis (bahan lelucon sexy yang dipelesetkan dari perintah shalat lima kali sehari) :
'benarkah bahwa abu nuwas pernah menulis tentang sebuah agama yang sempurna di mana kewajiban penganutnya adalah bersanggama lima kali sehari dan bukannya melakukan salat lima waktu?'
yang pasti, memahami muhammad al idrisi sang amir al kitab - sang tokoh utama, menjadi pengalaman penuh penolakan. idrisi tokoh yang memakai berlapis topeng yang ditujukan bukan untuk menyenangkan orang lain, tetapi lebih untuk menyelamatkan batang lehernya. meskipun kematian rujari dan mayya (khususnya)- menjadi cambuk penyadaran tersendiri buatnya.
agama untuk hampir semua tokoh dalam buku - kecuali buat philip al mahdi, dapat disemukan garis batasnya untuk menyelamatkan nyawa masing-masing. dari gelombang peristiwa yang naik turun sepanjang membaca buku, dapat diasumsikan bahwa agama (apapun agama yang dianut masing tokoh-tokoh pembangun cerita) hanya sepuhan emas. tidak mencapai inti manusianya.
meskipun mengambil latar keruntuhan kekhalifahan islam di wilayah sisilia, sentilan yang diberikan tariq ali menyentuh kehidupan sekarang. untuk sebagian besar orang, tampilan agamis menjadi sepuhan emas pribadi seseorang. diluar itu, perintah-perintah yang terkandung didalamnya hanya menjadi bahan lelucon.
satu contoh, dari cerita idrisi pada selingkuhannya balkis (bahan lelucon sexy yang dipelesetkan dari perintah shalat lima kali sehari) :
'benarkah bahwa abu nuwas pernah menulis tentang sebuah agama yang sempurna di mana kewajiban penganutnya adalah bersanggama lima kali sehari dan bukannya melakukan salat lima waktu?'
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January 16, 2011Konon, jika ingin mengetahui budaya suatu bangsa, bacalah melalui novel-novelnya.
Tariq Ali salah satu novelist identik dengan tema sejarah terutama berlatar timur tengah.
Ini buku kedua yang kubaca setelah perempuan batu.
Tapi ya..ciri khas Tariq Ali, memadu intrik politik, dan skandal percintaan. Apa memang dua hal ini tak bisa dilepaskan yaa??
Buku ini sendiri bercerita tentang Islam di Palermo, sebuah pulau di selatan Italy. Diceritakan dari kehidupan Muhammad al-Idrisi, seorang pembuat peta, sahabat kesayangan raja Roger II/rujary. Awalnya pulau sisily di dominasi Muslim, namum di perintah oleh seorang raja beragama Kristen. Hidup berdampingan dengan damai, sampai akhirnya harus terpengaruh dengan dinamika pilitik di sekitarnya. Islam pun terusir dari palermo.
bagian yang kusuka dari buku ini, ya cuma peta , di bagian belakang buku ini..
sayang sekali, bagaimana proses sipembuat peta tak begitu banyak diuraikan dalam buku ini. Buku ini memang lebih menonjolkan kisah persahabat yang unik/aneh antara Muhammad al-Idrisi dan Rujary.
Tariq Ali salah satu novelist identik dengan tema sejarah terutama berlatar timur tengah.
Ini buku kedua yang kubaca setelah perempuan batu.
Tapi ya..ciri khas Tariq Ali, memadu intrik politik, dan skandal percintaan. Apa memang dua hal ini tak bisa dilepaskan yaa??
Buku ini sendiri bercerita tentang Islam di Palermo, sebuah pulau di selatan Italy. Diceritakan dari kehidupan Muhammad al-Idrisi, seorang pembuat peta, sahabat kesayangan raja Roger II/rujary. Awalnya pulau sisily di dominasi Muslim, namum di perintah oleh seorang raja beragama Kristen. Hidup berdampingan dengan damai, sampai akhirnya harus terpengaruh dengan dinamika pilitik di sekitarnya. Islam pun terusir dari palermo.
bagian yang kusuka dari buku ini, ya cuma peta , di bagian belakang buku ini..
sayang sekali, bagaimana proses sipembuat peta tak begitu banyak diuraikan dalam buku ini. Buku ini memang lebih menonjolkan kisah persahabat yang unik/aneh antara Muhammad al-Idrisi dan Rujary.
April 23, 2014
If you think Islam beats out Christianity for brutality, you will think again after reading this historically accurate novel by British-Pakistani historian/novelist Tariq Ali. It takes place around 1150 in Sicily during the period when the Normans had accomplished a "peaceful" takeover of power from the Arabs. But the Vatican politics and thirst for power stopped at no form of inhumanity. Ah, but you already knew that, right? I always appreciate a historical perspective on current events. Ali gives a very nuanced picture --- this is no good guy vs. bad guys story. He spices up the plot with a few juicy sex scenes.
April 28, 2014
Ali is once again very skillful in humanising the historical record through depicting the motivations underlying (in)famous acts.
Ali's portrayal of Muslim life in Italy and Spain is a welcome alternative to the 'history written by the victors' that colours most understandings of the era.
Ali's portrayal of Muslim life in Italy and Spain is a welcome alternative to the 'history written by the victors' that colours most understandings of the era.
March 7, 2009
Interesting as a look into the dying days of a golden age of culture in which the three religions of the book lived together in harmony, but the quality of the writing is horrible.
April 14, 2024
In the 12th century, Siqilliya (Sicily) was a kingdom ruled by an Islam-leaning, Nazarene (Christian) ruler, in the shadow of Rome and its bishops. Their actions in the Sultan of Palermo make me despise my Catholic roots.
The Siqilliyans Tariq Ali described were often wise, with Idrisi, Sultan of Palermo’s central character, a widely-read and traveled consultant to the sultan, who wrote widely on geography and medicine. With the sultan’s death, however, Believers were either massacred or forced underground and into hiding.
Sultan of Palermo is the fourth book of Ali’s quintet that I’ve read ( Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree , The Book of Saladin , and The Stone Woman ), although I read the first three five years ago.
Like Ali's first three books, sex plays a major role in the story. There are several extramarital affairs, children fathered by one man and knowingly raised by another, many farting jokes, and many, many double entendres. I wondered, though, whether I would have enjoyed Sultan of Palermo more if I were Muslim or more historically knowledgeable. I was probably appalled in the right places (e.g., some bloody killings and massacres that took place, mostly off-stage).
"Extremely annoyed by what the Pope had done, he responded in the time-honoured tradition of the Siqilliyan side of his family. He farted." (Kindle 16691)
The Siqilliyans Tariq Ali described were often wise, with Idrisi, Sultan of Palermo’s central character, a widely-read and traveled consultant to the sultan, who wrote widely on geography and medicine. With the sultan’s death, however, Believers were either massacred or forced underground and into hiding.
Sultan of Palermo is the fourth book of Ali’s quintet that I’ve read ( Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree , The Book of Saladin , and The Stone Woman ), although I read the first three five years ago.
Like Ali's first three books, sex plays a major role in the story. There are several extramarital affairs, children fathered by one man and knowingly raised by another, many farting jokes, and many, many double entendres. I wondered, though, whether I would have enjoyed Sultan of Palermo more if I were Muslim or more historically knowledgeable. I was probably appalled in the right places (e.g., some bloody killings and massacres that took place, mostly off-stage).
"Extremely annoyed by what the Pope had done, he responded in the time-honoured tradition of the Siqilliyan side of his family. He farted." (Kindle 16691)
August 6, 2024
Book: A Sultan in Palermo
Author: Tariq Ali
Published: 2005
About the Author: Tariq Ali, born in Lahore in 1943, is a prominent British-Pakistani writer, historian, and political activist. Known for his critical insights into historical and contemporary issues, Ali’s works include The Islam Quintet series and The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power. His novels and essays explore themes of politics, culture, and power with depth and engagement. 🌟
Review: Just finished A Sultan in Palermo by Tariq Ali, and it’s an enthralling read! Set in 12th-century Sicily, the novel explores the life of the Muslim ruler who conquered Palermo. Ali weaves historical facts with a compelling narrative, delving into themes of power, culture, and identity. His vivid storytelling and rich historical detail create an immersive experience, bringing this fascinating period to life. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with authenticity and depth. 💫
Summary: The novel follows the story of the Muslim ruler Roger II of Sicily, who aims to create a diverse and tolerant society in medieval Palermo. As he navigates political intrigue, cultural conflicts, and personal ambitions, the book provides a rich exploration of the interplay between different cultures and religions in Sicily. Tariq Ali’s narrative captures the vibrancy and complexities of this historical period, offering readers an engaging look at a significant era.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Goodreads: Reading Lately
#readinglately #latelyreading #ASultanInPalermo #TariqAli #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #BookRecommendations #Bookstagram #syedfarqaleet
Author: Tariq Ali
Published: 2005
About the Author: Tariq Ali, born in Lahore in 1943, is a prominent British-Pakistani writer, historian, and political activist. Known for his critical insights into historical and contemporary issues, Ali’s works include The Islam Quintet series and The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power. His novels and essays explore themes of politics, culture, and power with depth and engagement. 🌟
Review: Just finished A Sultan in Palermo by Tariq Ali, and it’s an enthralling read! Set in 12th-century Sicily, the novel explores the life of the Muslim ruler who conquered Palermo. Ali weaves historical facts with a compelling narrative, delving into themes of power, culture, and identity. His vivid storytelling and rich historical detail create an immersive experience, bringing this fascinating period to life. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with authenticity and depth. 💫
Summary: The novel follows the story of the Muslim ruler Roger II of Sicily, who aims to create a diverse and tolerant society in medieval Palermo. As he navigates political intrigue, cultural conflicts, and personal ambitions, the book provides a rich exploration of the interplay between different cultures and religions in Sicily. Tariq Ali’s narrative captures the vibrancy and complexities of this historical period, offering readers an engaging look at a significant era.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Goodreads: Reading Lately
#readinglately #latelyreading #ASultanInPalermo #TariqAli #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #BookRecommendations #Bookstagram #syedfarqaleet
May 7, 2025
Siempre que viajo intento leer algo ambientado o que trate sobre el destino al que físicamente voy a ir para poder adelantarme con la imaginación y las letras. Para ir a Sicilia di por casualidad con este autor del que desconocía todo y del que he descubierto este quinteto del Islam que podría haber usado para visitar también Estambul donde estuve recientemente. Y qué maravilloso descubrimiento.
Ambientada en una época de mezcolanza donde cristianos y musulmanes conviven en una calma tensa donde cualquier error en la convivencia puede hacer saltar por los aires el polvorín que era Sicilia y el Mediterráneo en aquella época (s. XII) donde las dos religiones monoteístas luchaban sangrientamente por su dominio global. Entre Palermo y Siracusa, por mar y por tierra, entre palacios y palacetes y calles populares, con sexo y pasión, con guerra, muerte, justicia e injusticias. Tariq Ali arma una novela histórica que se lee sola, interesante y apasionante, que transporta espaciotemporalmente a una Sicilia extinta en un tiempo convulso que sirve como marco para conocer la historia de esa gran isla clásica mediterránea.
Ambientada en una época de mezcolanza donde cristianos y musulmanes conviven en una calma tensa donde cualquier error en la convivencia puede hacer saltar por los aires el polvorín que era Sicilia y el Mediterráneo en aquella época (s. XII) donde las dos religiones monoteístas luchaban sangrientamente por su dominio global. Entre Palermo y Siracusa, por mar y por tierra, entre palacios y palacetes y calles populares, con sexo y pasión, con guerra, muerte, justicia e injusticias. Tariq Ali arma una novela histórica que se lee sola, interesante y apasionante, que transporta espaciotemporalmente a una Sicilia extinta en un tiempo convulso que sirve como marco para conocer la historia de esa gran isla clásica mediterránea.
November 21, 2022
This book goes back in time to an era when there was Islamic influence in Europe. I had no idea there were Muslim communities in Sicily and Syracuse and those areas. So that was cool to learn about. But I really did not like the story of the protagonist. Or the protagonist himself. To make matters worse, I couldn't follow any of the political intrigue. I only followed what was going on in his personal life, and that stuff was not great.
The characters do face consequences for their choices and actions, so I can't really hate on the book or the author for these choices and actions. But I also don't know what the point of it all was?
Also, the author's habit of naming chapters with a one-sentence summary of the chapter is getting old.
The characters do face consequences for their choices and actions, so I can't really hate on the book or the author for these choices and actions. But I also don't know what the point of it all was?
Also, the author's habit of naming chapters with a one-sentence summary of the chapter is getting old.
February 14, 2025
This novel, fourth in the Islam Quintet, is set in mid 12th century Sicily, at the end of King Roger II's reign. The story follows cartographer Muhammed al-Idrisi as he navigates both his personal and public lives in the midst of simmering tensions between the Muslim population and the Norman rulers.
Idrisi is a smart and complex man who is reflective and compassionate. He is largely driven by his personal relationships, where ties of love and respect are his strongest motivators. At his core, he cares deeply about his family and friends and harbors a number of regrets in how he has handled some of his relationships. Idrisi's family was full of great characters - I especially liked the two loves of his life, sister Baklis and Mayya. They are both smart passionate women who deftly navigated their own webs of relationships. Idrisi's family also contains a mingling of Muslims and Christians that mirrors the political situation in Sicily. Ali does a really good job of looking at a man trying to steer himself and his family through a volatile situation.
Idrisi is a smart and complex man who is reflective and compassionate. He is largely driven by his personal relationships, where ties of love and respect are his strongest motivators. At his core, he cares deeply about his family and friends and harbors a number of regrets in how he has handled some of his relationships. Idrisi's family was full of great characters - I especially liked the two loves of his life, sister Baklis and Mayya. They are both smart passionate women who deftly navigated their own webs of relationships. Idrisi's family also contains a mingling of Muslims and Christians that mirrors the political situation in Sicily. Ali does a really good job of looking at a man trying to steer himself and his family through a volatile situation.
December 7, 2020
The fourth book in the Islam Quintet, A Sultan in Palermo returns to the period just before the second book, the middle of the twelfth century, in Siqilliya (Sicily). The main character is a historical person, although one about whom not a lot is known: the cartographer and geographer Muhammed al-Idrisi, who made one of the most accurate world maps before the modern period, and accompanied it with a descriptive geography. He is completing the writing of his books at the court of the dying King Roger, also known as the Sultan Rujari, a descendant of the Normans who conquered the island from the Moslems. In the same style as the earlier novels of the Quintet, the loves and domestic affairs of al-Idrisi take place against the background of the conflict between the Moslem population and the Christian barbarian overlords.
May 11, 2021
As the story opens Idrisi, a scholar and mapmaker, is on a sea voyage putting the finishing touches on his world map and readying to return to Palermo and turn the completed work over to the Sultan Rujari. Though most of the population of the island of Siqilliya (Sicily) are Muslim, Rujari (Roger II) is Christian, and and Idrisi feels torn between his friendship of many years with the sultan, and the indignities and violence carried out on the locals by Christian authorities, resulting in a simmering unrest. To add to his heartache, the woman he's loved for decades is a permanent member of the sultan's harem.
Though I am a fan of Ali's writing, this novel is probably my least favorite of the four I've so far read in his Islam Quintet (I'd rank them 1, 3, 2, 4). I am looking forward to rounding out the series with the final installment soon.
Though I am a fan of Ali's writing, this novel is probably my least favorite of the four I've so far read in his Islam Quintet (I'd rank them 1, 3, 2, 4). I am looking forward to rounding out the series with the final installment soon.
January 20, 2018
I tend to agree with the negative criticisms of this book. The historical context, taking place during the fall of Arab Sicily, was interesting and new for me, but the novel otherwise fell short. First, the characters were completely unbelievable as human beings. Second, the plot was boring, riddled with "dramatic" plot-twists that served no function. And third, the writing was bad. I give this 2 stars rather that a single star only because there were a few enjoyable passages, especially in the first 100 pages. I would not recommend, but I did love the Shadow of the Pomegranate Tree (the first of his Islam Quintets).
November 26, 2020
First, it has its great point because it tells the story of al-Idrisi, and since I am an admirer of al-Idrisi while at the same time I couldn't find much from other sources about him so I like the novel so much.
Second, having read two other novels of the Islamic Quintet I have became more and more familiar with Tariq Ali's writing style, so to some extent there are some "I knew what would happen" during the time of reading it. Not so much, fortunately.
History in Tariq Ali's novels is not a hagiography but a story of common people. It means that even if he tells the story of public figures, the famous persons in history, but they are presented as firstly human. That makes the history as a fresh story of life which becomes better and better when it is cooked by an experienced storyteller.
Second, having read two other novels of the Islamic Quintet I have became more and more familiar with Tariq Ali's writing style, so to some extent there are some "I knew what would happen" during the time of reading it. Not so much, fortunately.
History in Tariq Ali's novels is not a hagiography but a story of common people. It means that even if he tells the story of public figures, the famous persons in history, but they are presented as firstly human. That makes the history as a fresh story of life which becomes better and better when it is cooked by an experienced storyteller.
November 16, 2023
It's a historical novel which gives a portrayal of life in 12th century Sicily/Siqilliya. Tariq Ali gives an account of political tensions arising out of differences in religious faith (Christianity vs Islam) that plague this medieval city. One some level, this period seems to share a lot of similarities to the present world.
Tariq Ali, being a historian, seems to have presented an accurate account as far as historical figures are concerned. There seems to be a research paper written about the main events in this novel - 'The Case of Philip of Mahdiyya: A Medieval Murder Mystery, Joshua C. Birk'. I will have to check it out.
Tariq Ali, being a historian, seems to have presented an accurate account as far as historical figures are concerned. There seems to be a research paper written about the main events in this novel - 'The Case of Philip of Mahdiyya: A Medieval Murder Mystery, Joshua C. Birk'. I will have to check it out.
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