Fatima and the Sons of Abraham

by Val Bonacci

Paolo Giobatti is the first Major League Baseball star from the Italian League. He's nursing an ailing back along the shores of the Mediterranean when, thanks to modern technology, both he and his archrival, Eli Kohn, half the world away in Cleveland, witness a stunning moment at the hands of Darius Salamah, a Syrian refugee struggling for survival. In the time it takes for a dove to flap its wings, each of their lives becomes irrevocably entwined forever. Thus begins the journey of three young a Catholic, a Muslim, and a Jew, from Italy's southernmost beaches and America's baseball diamonds to the beating heart of Jerusalem. The trio dance a bitter tango for the sake of advancing their careers until the fearless heart of a woman named Fatima reshapes their individual destinies in a way none had thought possible.

FATIMA AND THE SONS OF ABRAHAM is an allegorical tale based on a curious interpretation of the mysterious supernatural events that took place in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. One hundred years later, author Val Bonacci has reimagined those events, taking you on a ride from hollow darkness into a cacophony of light at autobahn speed, in a story that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for her characters to the finish line. It's a thoroughly modern tale of the clash of cultures at a time when the stakes for peace-building have never been higher. Not since you first heard John Lennon's voice sing IMAGINE, has a writer so passionately strummed the chords of the human spirit, but in a new, more provocative way.

258 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2017

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Muslim, a Catholic and a Jew all in the same American baseball team. What could possibly go wrong? Val Bonacci’s "Fatima and the Sons of Abraham" is not as implausible as you might think. Darius Salamah’s mother was Shi’ite Iranian, his father Sunni Palestinian. Overwhelmed by events in Syria, he becomes one of the 4.8 million refugees displaced externally by the war, securing a ride on a rickety boat which deposits him on Italy’s southern coast. While there, he meets Fatima Giobatti who is assisting a nun, Sister Colleen tending to the needs of the thousands of refugees who have wound up in their neighbourhood. Later, when he throws — or rather pitches — a rock at a wild boar and kills it he is seen by Fatima’s brother Paolo, an American professional baseball player recuperating from a back injury at his mother’s Sicilian home. Darius and Paolo become friends but not for any altruistic reasons on Paolo’s part — he sees potential in this extraordinary pitcher even though he has his sights set on becoming a doctor. Eli Kohn is a team mate of Paolo’s who learns of Darius’ existence during a phone call with Fatima at a time when he too is suffering from a baseball injury. He is bemused by Fatima’s enthusiasm for this Arab refugee and it is not long before the two see each other as rivals for Fatima’s attention. Eventually Darius sees baseball as a potential source of wealth which will enable him to study medicine, and, succumbing to pressure from Paolo and Eli, he joins the team. As the unusual trio set off with their squad for various points of call around America and beyond, their complicated lives begin to untangle until they find they are not quite as diverse as they first thought.

It is hard to believe that "Fatima and the Sons of Abraham" is a self-published novel. Not only is the editing perfect — not even a comma out of place — the story itself is engaging. Extraordinary even. From the heartfelt dedication to a real priest, Italian Jesuit Fr Paolo Dall’Oglio through to the emotional ending I was spellbound — and I have no interest in baseball! Val Bonacci knows her stuff or has undertaken a ridiculous amount of research to write a novel of this calibre. The author has an incredible knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs, as well as the world of baseball, which provides an intriguing and imaginative setting to the tale. The story is character driven, seen through the eyes of four individuals, every element of it topical. I was particularly touched by this passage, as though narrated by the refugee: My priest friend called me ‘son’ on numerous occasions. Now this Jew does the same. Isn’t this what my parents would have wanted for me? — to live in a world where people with strongly held differences care for one another, regardless? Most everyone at the event tonight could not have been more thoughtful…These signs should give me hope.

Quite.

Whether your interest is baseball, Middle Eastern affairs, inter-faith understanding or you just love a damn good story, don’t let this book pass you by. I can’t wait for the movie.