While I wish this book had more structure and the plot was more tangible, so it wouldn't feel repetitive, I enjoyed reading this story, told as an account of Aisha's memories of when she was the wife of Prophet Muhammad. Never before have I felt that men build on the backs of women than in this book. At times, it was really painful to read it, either because of what was happening, or because of what the women were thinking/saying. (Especially in part Three/Four). All painful truths of the time, but perhaps not exclusive to it. It made me reflect on how dificult it was to these women. The oppression of the society, the war, the danger... not knowing what tomorrow will be if their husbands lost the battles. Although on my book cover it's written "The loves of the East," and I started reading it with the thought of it being a love story, it turned out to be a revelation of women's hard work, struggles, dependency of men (not referring to emotional dependency here). So it was really interesting to see these characters, Aisha, Fatima, Umm Salama, Barrayara navigate this world and, in their own ways, walking in power. I only wish there was more character development for them.
By far my favourite character was Umm Salama, and I am really curious to read Fatima's book as well. Out of everyone, Fatima seemed to be the only woman who had the privilege and drive to be truly how she wanted: a fierce warrior. But there is no doubt she faced her own challenges with society and men.
I did enjoy the way the author wrote Aisha's story. In a world where the woman had one purpose, to serve her husband by creating children, she couldn't fulfill it. Instead of being mad at her and divorcing her, the Prophet tells Aisha that she has a different purpose in this world. That was an aspect of the story which I liked very much.
The author did a marvellous job reconstructing the world and historical context. I was unfamiliar with most of the elements I found in this book, but the writing made it very easy to catch onto things. I liked that the author was very real in his writing and presented both sides (those who followed Muhammad and those who followed the pagan religion), and also Aisha's character, without hiding the harsh truths and mistakes.