From MTV to Mecca
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £2.05
Trade in From MTV to Mecca for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £2.05, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Adam Ball
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this book with interest as someone who remembered seeing the author on MTV when I was a teenager. The transformation from an MTV presenter to a practising Muslim woman sounds acute, but the book shows a natural progression over the years along a journey which has led to a series of interesting twists and turns through a host of well known people. But it is not the celebrity aspect which makes the book interesting, it is the spiritual journey which clearly continues to be taken by so many western educated, female professionals. The book sheds light on what draws women to a faith which continues to get consistently bad press. The book seperates facts about Islam from fiction and it offers a profound insight into its spiritual attraction.
18 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This isn't a gentile stroll through a life mapped out in the luxury of certainty, but of a courageous leap of conviction into a journey unknown. The highs and lows of a life during and post an MTV heyday are depicted in detail, living amongst a host of islamic scholars and close friends, but whilst also among the regulatory stellar stars of the music industry showbiz.
As a literary wordsmith the writer isn't a novice (leaning on her journalistic experiences) and possesses sufficient tools in her locker to depict colourful recreations of meetings, people's reactions, exotic locations, architectural and environmental observations in the East, Middle East, North Africa and Europe; all entertainingly contrasted, and well supplemented with authentic quotes from Quran, Hadith and poetry from mystics and philosophers. The conclusions to each decision are logically argued with clear thought processes.
Whether misunderstood, sometimes wronged or taken advantage of, her eyes and heart are never diverted from observing the higher acts of human kindness and reciprocation that she observed throughout the muslim world. For established muslims this is a refreshing path of discovery of a known world by new eyes and new muslims will find the unearthing of a great deal of relevant information helpful and a source of encouragement from a bright mind. In this time of mass misinformation on Islam the non-muslim reader will gain a much needed insight to this incredible faith's practicalities and philosophies in the modern world; throughout this serious business, however, this book will also entertain with a cool sense of (rare Anglo-German) humour.
As a literary wordsmith the writer isn't a novice (leaning on her journalistic experiences) and possesses sufficient tools in her locker to depict colourful recreations of meetings, people's reactions, exotic locations, architectural and environmental observations in the East, Middle East, North Africa and Europe; all entertainingly contrasted, and well supplemented with authentic quotes from Quran, Hadith and poetry from mystics and philosophers. The conclusions to each decision are logically argued with clear thought processes.
Whether misunderstood, sometimes wronged or taken advantage of, her eyes and heart are never diverted from observing the higher acts of human kindness and reciprocation that she observed throughout the muslim world. For established muslims this is a refreshing path of discovery of a known world by new eyes and new muslims will find the unearthing of a great deal of relevant information helpful and a source of encouragement from a bright mind. In this time of mass misinformation on Islam the non-muslim reader will gain a much needed insight to this incredible faith's practicalities and philosophies in the modern world; throughout this serious business, however, this book will also entertain with a cool sense of (rare Anglo-German) humour.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am deeply sceptical of both celebrity biographies in general and celebrity books on spritual matters in particular. But on coming across this book I recalled an article some years ago in the Evening Standard about Ms Backer and her embrace of Islam. It was an engaging article, and as someone of the same faith; I thought I would give the book a go. I am very glad I did.
This is a surprisingly affecting book. Thought provoking throughout and deeply emotional in parts. The impact is all the greater due to the writing style : it is not only accessible; but is understated, open and sincere. There is no melodrama in this memoir. There is no sense at all of Kristiane Backer being a "victim" - or any element of misery in fact (devices which are, unfortunately, often used in memoirs to gain sympathy and shift a few extra units). It is just a story of what seems to be a fundamentally happy and decent person learning about life and striving to understand its meaning. That ought to make for a pretty anodyne read, and yet this book has something about it that gets under the skin and encircles the heart.
As far as Kristiane's views on Islam in British and European society are concerned; they are perceptive and sensible. I could not disagree with any of them.
The late and must missed Gai Eaton (who makes the occasional appearance in this memoir) I'm sure would be very proud of the progress Kristiane has made over the past two decades.
In the entertainment industry there is the concept of a "sleeper hit" - a film or song which achieves great and enduring popularity through word of mouth rather than through extensive promotion. I rather think that this book may well be a sleeper hit. It certainly deserves to be.
This is a surprisingly affecting book. Thought provoking throughout and deeply emotional in parts. The impact is all the greater due to the writing style : it is not only accessible; but is understated, open and sincere. There is no melodrama in this memoir. There is no sense at all of Kristiane Backer being a "victim" - or any element of misery in fact (devices which are, unfortunately, often used in memoirs to gain sympathy and shift a few extra units). It is just a story of what seems to be a fundamentally happy and decent person learning about life and striving to understand its meaning. That ought to make for a pretty anodyne read, and yet this book has something about it that gets under the skin and encircles the heart.
As far as Kristiane's views on Islam in British and European society are concerned; they are perceptive and sensible. I could not disagree with any of them.
The late and must missed Gai Eaton (who makes the occasional appearance in this memoir) I'm sure would be very proud of the progress Kristiane has made over the past two decades.
In the entertainment industry there is the concept of a "sleeper hit" - a film or song which achieves great and enduring popularity through word of mouth rather than through extensive promotion. I rather think that this book may well be a sleeper hit. It certainly deserves to be.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Ended to suddenly but interesting reading and well written. Would have liked to know what happened to her and if she ever got married again.
Published 1 day ago by Jenny-Lee Du Preez
3.0 out of 5 stars
From MTV to Mecca.
I did enjoy her journey but found it hard going at times. It was very well written and informative though.
Published 1 day ago by Ange
3.0 out of 5 stars
MTV to mecca
Explanation for violence across the world would have been a useful end note. However. An enjoyable read and as always confirms the link between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Published 4 days ago by mrsf1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
Truly inspiring to read any convert story. But when you are Muslim and read another's journey it sets the heart ablaze.
Published 2 months ago by Claire Saddiq
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enchanting journey
Well written in an absorbing style that makes it difficult to put down with coloured and vivid descriptions of scenes and travels, and those she has crossed who have moved her and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Shahriar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative and will question stereotypes
The book is well organised and a lot of thought must have gone into it. When reading it, you can sense that she is genuinely talking to you about how she is feeling. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Razwan Ul-haq
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read
This book is very well written from a personal experience which makes it a captivating read. Answers a lot of misconceptions about Islam which have been printed in the press and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Catherine Hasnaoui
5.0 out of 5 stars
Peace be upon those who follow guidance
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
This book is a living proof that God exist and guides whomever he wants to his straight path. Read more
This book is a living proof that God exist and guides whomever he wants to his straight path. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ibn Rushd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely book. Well worth a read. Inspiring.
This a delightfully written book describing Kristiane's spiritual journey to redefining herself and being much happier and content with her life and choices. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shakeel
5.0 out of 5 stars
book
its such a well written book. very matter a fact, honest and inspiring. you don't have to be a muslim to enjoy it.
Published 7 months ago by gul
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
