Sammar is a young Sudanese widow, working as an Arabic translator at a British university. Following the sudden death of her husband, and estranged from her young son, she drifts, grieving and isolated. Life takes a positive turn when she finds herself falling in love with Rae, a Scottish academic. To Sammar, he seems to come from another world and another culture, yet they are drawn to each other. 'The Translator' is a story about love, both human and divine. Leila Aboulela's first novel, first published in 1999, was longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and the IMPAC Dublin Award, and was shortlisted for the Saltire Prize. It has subsequently appeared in editions worldwide.
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'A story of love and faith all the more moving for the restraint with which it is written' --J.M. Coetzee
'A lyrical journey about exile, loss and love... poetry in motion' --The Sunday Times
'She pulls you into her world as she refracts British life, its smells and sounds, its advertisements and turns of phrase.' --The Independent
'A lyrical journey about exile, loss and love... poetry in motion' --The Sunday Times
'She pulls you into her world as she refracts British life, its smells and sounds, its advertisements and turns of phrase.' --The Independent
About the Author
Leila Aboulela was born in 1964, grew up in Khartoum and moved to the UK in her twenties to study at the London School of Economics. In 1992, while living in Aberdeen with two young children and a husband working offshore, Leila found comfort through writing about her home city. She attended creative-writing workshops which helped to broaden her reading and introduced her to Scottish writers. Her last novel 'Minaret', published by Bloomsbury, was short-listed for the Orange Prize. Leila Aboulela now lives in Abu Dhabi and is currently working on her third novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As an Egyptian woman who lived for a long time in Khartoum (Sudan) and sometime in Aberdeen, I read Aboulela's novel with great interest. The author did not describe the two cities and their people in a conventional style. Instead, she has exposed many complex hidden human feelings that are built inside people who live in a certain geographical location. She has also cleverly exposed differences in the way of thinking between followers of different religions and philosophies. This ability is very rare and should be encouraged in a world of growing cultural integration. I congratulate the publishers for their positive contribution to the growing demand for cross-cultural perspectives.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sammar is a Sudanese woman, living in Aberdeen. She works as a translator, helping a professor named Rae. She is still suffering after the death of her husband, living in a shell, barely aware of the human world. Piece by piece, Rae draws her out and she begins to live again. But Rae is not a muslim, how can she follow her dreams to be with him?
The story is touching, if a little soppy at times. Sammar's thoughts are very revealing, the very personification of islamic philosophy and ethos. Her faith is simply her way of life, without being drawn into life or death struggles or politics. Her comments and observations on people's way of life here and in Sudan fill the book. Rae is an intriguing figure, he captivates her and the reader. Both characters are quiet and yet irresistably draw your interest. An excellent introduction for what is to many readers, another world. The ending is a little too pat, but that is a small criticism.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By BookWorm
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
In simplistic terms, 'The Translator' is a love story. The heroine, a Muslim widow working in Aberdeen as a translator, falls in love with a Scottish man, but is unable to have a relationship with him unless he converts to Islam. However, don't expect a fluffy, rom-com style novel - you won't get it.
The best way I can describe the writing in this novel is 'intense'. In parts it borders on being hard work to read. However, Aboulela is a good writer and I don't dislike her style - just sometimes find it a bit over the top. It's a good 'intellectual' story, not afraid of exploring complex issues in detail even sometimes slightly at the expense of the plot.
One of the things I like best about Aboulela's novels is the way they make Islam accessible and appealing to Western readers. Her books are unashamedly Islamic - perhaps in a way that would be jarring if it were Christianity being 'talked up' in the same way - but in a world where Islam is subject to constant analysis and dry debate, it's good to read about it from the perspective of someone who simply believes, and who finds their religion a comfort and a joy. As a non-religious person myself, I like to be brought closer to understanding the feelings of those who truly believe in and find happiness with any faith.
Overall, this is a good first novel from a talented writer. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Islam or Muslim countries. Her second novel, which I preferred, is also good, and I'll be interested to read the third if it's forthcoming.
The best way I can describe the writing in this novel is 'intense'. In parts it borders on being hard work to read. However, Aboulela is a good writer and I don't dislike her style - just sometimes find it a bit over the top. It's a good 'intellectual' story, not afraid of exploring complex issues in detail even sometimes slightly at the expense of the plot.
One of the things I like best about Aboulela's novels is the way they make Islam accessible and appealing to Western readers. Her books are unashamedly Islamic - perhaps in a way that would be jarring if it were Christianity being 'talked up' in the same way - but in a world where Islam is subject to constant analysis and dry debate, it's good to read about it from the perspective of someone who simply believes, and who finds their religion a comfort and a joy. As a non-religious person myself, I like to be brought closer to understanding the feelings of those who truly believe in and find happiness with any faith.
Overall, this is a good first novel from a talented writer. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Islam or Muslim countries. Her second novel, which I preferred, is also good, and I'll be interested to read the third if it's forthcoming.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Translator
On the whole I enjoyed the book. Met the author and enjoyed discussing it with her. I did pass it on and recommended it to others.
Published 1 month ago by Mary Spetses
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story of Muslim life in the UK
I love being able to read stories from and about Muslim life in the UK, something that is quite difficult to find in the English language. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sk2011
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Delicate Tale of Love and Faith
A poised and well-written story about love and about religious faith. Sammar, a Sudanese Muslim, has lost her husband Tarig in a car accident. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kate Hopkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read it! A love story - not a sex story
I loved ths book - after reading Leila Abulela's other two novels, Mineret and Lyrics Alley, I was thrilled to find this one (her first actually) and enjoyed it immensely. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mari Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deceptive Simplicity
A deeply moving, unusual, at times painfully truthful and sensitive exploration of human loneliness, grief, faith of all kinds, and recovery. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2010 by Owlette2008
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book
I loved this book because it was poignantly written. I am from the same religious background as the main character and really felt I could relate to her, which is rare with me and... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by CeeBee
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Deeper than happiness...?"
Aberdeen, Scotland and Khartoum, Sudan, cities more dissimilar than one could imagine, form the backdrop to this finely crafted, tender cross-cultural love story. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2009 by Friederike Knabe
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