In her Muslim hijab, with her down-turned gaze, Najwa is invisible to most eyes, especially to the rich London families whose houses she cleans. But twenty years earlier, it was a different story. Najwa was at university in Khartoum and, as an upper-class westernized Sudanese, and her dreams were to marry well and raise a family. However, those days of innocence came to an abrupt end and tough years followed. Now Najwa finds solace in her visits to the Mosque, the companionship of the Muslims she meets there, and in the hijab she adopts. Her dreams may have shattered, but her awakening to Islam has given her a different peace. Then Najwa meets a younger man and slowly they begin to fall in love.
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Review
‘A novel that unpacks complex emotional baggage with deceptive sleight of hand’ -- Independent
‘Timely, well-written and, in the end, asks us to think seriously and sympathetically about Muslim identity’ -- Observer
‘Written with sensitivity and grace, Minaret is an unsensational but gripping story of one woman’s spiritual awakening’ -- Image
‘Timely, well-written and, in the end, asks us to think seriously and sympathetically about Muslim identity’ -- Observer
‘Written with sensitivity and grace, Minaret is an unsensational but gripping story of one woman’s spiritual awakening’ -- Image
About the Author
Leila Aboulela was born in 1964 and grew up in Khartoum. She is the author of two books: a novel, The Translator which was published to critical acclaim in 1999 and a book of short stories, Coloured Lights published in 2000. Leila Aboulela lives between Jakarta and Aberdeen.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By napata
Format:Hardcover
Once again Leila Aboulela manages to masterfully delve ever so delicately into the emotional innards of a woman throughout the varied ups and downs of her life. From a life of privelege in Khartoum to the drugery and changes of political asylum in the UK, our trip with Najwa (the main protagonist) not only familiarises her to the readership, it also sheds light on many aspects of Khartoum's societal life during various phases.
The transformation and changes that accompany the active practice of the Islamic faith by Najwa in exile, and the role that Islam plays in the life of Tamer (a protagonist)are both explored against a constant backdrop of human and cultural discord. Leila Aboulela communicates this in a genuine and almost tactile manner that few other authors of this genre manage.
Minaret takes its readers on a voyage to Khartoum and London. It also takes its readers on a universal trip that is insightful, emotional and beautifully human.
The transformation and changes that accompany the active practice of the Islamic faith by Najwa in exile, and the role that Islam plays in the life of Tamer (a protagonist)are both explored against a constant backdrop of human and cultural discord. Leila Aboulela communicates this in a genuine and almost tactile manner that few other authors of this genre manage.
Minaret takes its readers on a voyage to Khartoum and London. It also takes its readers on a universal trip that is insightful, emotional and beautifully human.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
An excellent novel.
She writes about muslims in the west in such an honest way that is lacking in other novels. She speaks about practicing and non- practicing muslims in a way that is neither degrading nor glorifying. She speaks about them simply as humans. She talks about their struggles, their sins, and their desires.
She describes the details of the place, time, heart, and mind to a degree that makes you feel that you are touching, hearing, seeing, and smelling and not just reading.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Minaret is a very interesting and engaging narrative of a girl who loses the creature comforts of her former life but gains a new perspective as she enters into the Muslim faith. It is refreshingly written - whilst the author is descriptive, she is not overly so with the result that the novel has a very honest tone and seems to be written from real-life experience. For someone like me who is very uneducated in the ways of the Muslim community it was interesting to be presented with a view of quite a different way of life and to see Britain from someone else's perspective.
Aboulela has crafted a highly readable novel which centres around one girl's journey and which is thought provoking and original in it's execution. I'd highly recommend it.
Aboulela has crafted a highly readable novel which centres around one girl's journey and which is thought provoking and original in it's execution. I'd highly recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Minaret
This book is a real treat, great writing, easy to read and full of information and insight into the life of a woman who awakens to the peace and tranquility of the Islamic... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Don
4.0 out of 5 stars
I read "The Translator" before "The Minaret"
...and I feel that "The Translator" was a beautiful piece of work so coming to "The Minaret" I didnt enjoy it as much but it was good nevertheless. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2011 by CeeBee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Life through the eyes of a Muslim woman
The story is written from the perspective of a Muslim woman. This is the first book I have read where the reader is given such an insight. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Farouq Taj
3.0 out of 5 stars
depends what you like!
An okay read. Interesting perspective on recent Sudanese history but I just didn't care about the main character. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2009 by mandicat2005
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable holiday read
Enjoyable read, good description and insight into what it is like in Britain for someone from a different culture. Read more
Published on 28 July 2009 by dreamer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Competent but dreary
Drama in literature often comes about through the exploration of human failings. Sadly, in attempting to provide readers with something 'moral', Aboulela delivers a slow boat... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by F. S. Harte
1.0 out of 5 stars
one of the worst books I have ever read
I hated this book, it is awful. it supposedly shows the "good" side of islam, but to me this all just came across as pathetic. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2008 by T-bone
5.0 out of 5 stars
The positive side of religion - and a great read
It's so refreshing to find a book that shows the positive side of religion - and that's coming from a non-religous person - especially when that religion is Islam. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by BookWorm
4.0 out of 5 stars
a wonderful calming book
I've read two of Leila Aboulela's books and both were refreshing to read. The book is writen in a style that I hadn't encountered before. Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2007 by Ms. N.Aden
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but challenging
A really interesting story about a young girl who moves from a wealthy, priviledged life in Sudan, to an impoverished and lonely life in London. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2007 by Jaybird
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