Middle East/North African Lit discussion

Anyone reading books by Leila Aboulela, please share thoughts here!

I am reading Minaret. The story is about a young woman from the upper class in Sudan who is forced into political exile in London and the changes in her worldview.

I see why some say this is more of a Young Adult novel than an adult one because of its simple style and at times it seems a bit lacking in depth when facing complex topics, but it is a pleasant and quick read, so I will stay with it.

Samy wrote: "I am reading Minaret. The story is about a young woman from the upper class in Sudan who is forced into political exile in London and the changes in her worldview.

I see why some s..."

I read this a long time ago...I hope some others join you and jog my memory! :D

The Translator was very good! I have a copy of The Kindness of Enemies and will start as soon as I finish what I'm reading now!

I also enjoyed The Translator and want to read all Aboulela's books. I can't decide which one to go for next...

Oh, I also saw her speak at the Bare Lit Festival in London last month! = )

I am currently reading The Kindness of Enemies and loving it. I think if I had the time I would just read it all day until I finished! It's very different from The Translator which I also loved. The Kindness of Enemies takes part in present time and part in the 19th century.

I want to read it too but might not be able to right now. We'll see. Enjoy!

It's so, so good! It's one of those books where you just feel like telling everyone to read it!

Ooh :-)

I just placed a hold at my library. i was hoping they would have an e-book for me to borrow immediately, but nope. it's okay though because i am about to go to my basement and find one of two other books i am planning to read for this challenge!

Books in the basement haha

Lol I know! We have a very small house and someday the basement will be a nice living space but right now it's just a place for books and other things we have never managed to fully unpack since moving here. :/
Very disorganized!!

Books anywhere is a good thing :-)

Haha yes but basement does sound creepy! I need more shelves upstairs :)

I live in London where many folks live in the basement, so it doesn't sound creepy to me. However, when i went travelling i put some boxes of books in my parents' attic, and i was so pleased to see them when i came to get them back, so i feel you!

Here's a recent review of Kindness of Enemies:

http://www.muslimahmediawatch.org/201...

Thanks for drawing attention to this website, Melanie :-)

Jalilah wrote: "The Translator was very good! I have a copy of The Kindness of Enemies and will start as soon as I finish what I'm reading now!"

Yes, I enjoyed reading The Translator very much; I gave my copy to my mum and she liked it too.

I gave The Kindness of Enemies 4 stars. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished reading The Kindness of Enemies, and I agree with Carol's review. I had hoped that I would like the contemporary portion since I read and enjoyed The Translator. However, I found the historical portion far more interesting. I think the novel as a whole does an excellent job of showing how the official alliances and hostilities of national politics do a poor job of explaining or representing the values of individuals and small communities.

I enjoyed both stories, the present day and the 19th century. In general I loved the novel, so gave it 5 stars.
Here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jalilah - so glad you enjoyed it! It remains the best book I've read in 2016. My weekend's work is to find a copy of The Translator!

Thank you Jalilah for sharing your thoughts, and for the video in your review. I learned of this video of Chechen zikr a few months ago. You might like to see it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx6dw...

I've read Minaret this year (before the challenge). I agree with Samy, it seems to be not so in-dept and more of a lecture for young adults. I would have loved the book more if the author would have gone more in-dept with the main character change from non-religious to religious. I've missed that part while reading.

Martina wrote: "I've read Minaret this year (before the challenge). I agree with Samy, it seems to be not so in-dept and more of a lecture for young adults. I would have loved the book more if the author would hav..."

I was planning on reading Minaret. I hope it won't be a letdown after The Translator and especially The Kindness of Enemies.

Colored lights remains my favorite and lyrics alley. Haven't read the kindness of enemies and definitely didn't like Minaret

Carol wrote: "Jalilah - so glad you enjoyed it! It remains the best book I've read in 2016. My weekend's work is to find a copy of The Translator!"
My copy of Minaret has just arrived so I will start reading it at the weekend. I read The Translator and thought it so good that I passed it on to my mum. Carol, if I can get it back from her (if she hasn't passed on to someone else) you can have my copy. I would be very glad to pass it on to you.

Anne wrote: "Carol wrote: "Jalilah - so glad you enjoyed it! It remains the best book I've read in 2016. My weekend's work is to find a copy of The Translator!"
My copy of Minaret has just arrived..."

I'd love it - thanks so much!

I must admit I am having reservations about reading Minaret. The Kindness of Enemies was just so good that I don't want to be disappointed by this author!

Martina wrote: "I've read Minaret this year (before the challenge). I agree with Samy, it seems to be not so in-dept and more of a lecture for young adults. I would have loved the book more if the author would hav..."

Samy wrote: "I am reading Minaret. The story is about a young woman from the upper class in Sudan who is forced into political exile in London and the changes in her worldview.

I see why some s..."

I just started Minaret today. After reading The Kindness of Enemies it really does seem very simple, like a YA novel. Having also read the Translator I can see how her writing style has grown. Regardless there is something way she writes, even in Minaret that is really enjoyable and makes me just want to read on!

Good news for fans of or for those who wanted to read it for the challenge but didn't get to it: Kindness of Enemies will be a regular group read June 1 through July 15!

I've just finished reading Minaret. I found it an enjoyable read, just right for holiday reading .