Granada: A Novel (Middle East Literature In Translation)

Radwa Ashour's novel skillfully weaves a history of Granadan rule and an Arabic world, evoking cultural loss and the disappearance of a vanquished population. The narrative follows the family of Abu Jaafar the bookbinder, including his wife, widowed daughter-in-law, her two children, and his two apprentices, as they witness Christopher Columbus and his entourage in a triumphant parade featuring exotic plants, animals, and human captives from the New World. Embedded within the story is the preparation for the marriage of Saad, one of the apprentices, and Saleema, Abu Jaafar's granddaughter, which is elegantly revealed through a series 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 forcing Christian conversions and Muslim uprisings. This tale is both vigorous and heartbreaking, appealing to general readers of Spanish and Arabic literature, as well as anyone interested in Christian-Muslim relations.

The novel's skillful blending of Granadan history and the Arabic world creates a poignant narrative that explores the cultural loss and the disappearance of a vanquished population. Through the lens of Abu Jaafar's family, the reader witnesses the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his entourage, with their exotic displays of plants, animals, and human captives from the New World. Intertwined with this historical event is the preparation for the marriage of Saad, one of the apprentices, and Saleema, Abu Jaafar's granddaughter, which is elegantly revealed through a series of parallel scenes.

As the new Christian rulers of Granada tighten their grip, they confiscate books and burn the collected volumes. In response, Abu Jaafur secretly moves his rich library out of town, a symbolic act of resistance against the cultural suppression. The narrative also explores the persecuted Muslims' struggle to form an independent government, but the increasing economic and cultural pressures on the Arabs of Spain, coupled with the actions of the Christian rulers, ultimately lead to forced Christian conversions and Muslim uprisings.

Radwa Ashour's novel is a powerful and moving tale that will appeal to a wide range of readers, from those interested in Spanish and Arabic literature to those fascinated by the complex relationship between Christians and Muslims. The story's vigorous and heartbreaking nature captures the essence of a cultural clash, where the loss of a once-thriving civilization is poignantly portrayed through the experiences of Abu Jaafar's family and the broader societal upheaval.

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