The Proof of the Honey Paperback – 28 Apr 2009

The nameless (and unreliable) narrator of The Proof of the Honey has studied the classical Arabic erotica of al-Suyuti and al-Nafzawi, as well the KAMA SUTRA and Western works by Casanova, Henry Miller, and Georges Bataille. She also at times claims to have taken numerous lovers of both genders. These then form the bases of her addictions to stories and beds.

Her eleven chapters are "gates" she leads us through in latter-day Scheherazade style. Instead of a thousand stories, she boasts as many sexual partners. She tells us tales of an ancient mercury bed (to assist physical union) and the legalities of the temporary Shiite "marriage of pleasure". She quotes Arab songs, verses, and folk wisdom (" 'There are two kinds of women --lettuce women and women of embers' "). In free-love fashion she declares, "Some people conjure spirits. I conjure bodies. I have no knowledge of my soul or the soul of others. I know only my body and theirs." And one body she repeatedly encounters as she passes through her gates is that of the Thinker, the man whose sexual prowess caused her public and secret lives to converge. However, the Thinker is an illusive entity, a concoction, on whom this woman desires to hang her feelings and her thoughts on sex in the Arab world at large...and her in own.

Syrian Salwa Al Neimi's novel (more correctly, novella) reportedly raised a sensation when it was published in Arabic. One can assume in Islamic culture it is a daring volume. One example: it's "Ninth Gate: Linguistics" dwells on a very course word for intercourse. The narrator's Arabic spell check program won't acknowledge the word, proving, she says, that it is "programmed for dissimulation." It has "castrated the language....castrated the computer....castrated me" she rants. Whether true freedom is dependent on the ability to spew the f-word at will is highly debatable, but it illustrates well that THE PROOF OF THE HONEY is intended as an Arab-circle provocation. It desires to poke the stick at the wasps' nest in a part of the world that remains relatively insular and circumspect about sexual matters. The author, through her narrator, propounds an extreme feminist view -- with curious spears of male chauvinism protruding in some passages. Using this short volume as a barometer, the sexual revolution that shook the Western world in the 1960's and '70's may be, for good or not, edging farther into the Muslim consciousness now.

The sensual cover suggests a novella of refined eroticism and lyricism. One cannot, upon finishing the book, be entirely satisfied, however, because the thin plot is really veneer for mini essays, the thoughts are often confused and partial, and, although sexual honey and seductive lower backs are embedded (pun intended) in certain passages, for the most part, one needn't fan oneself from embarrassment. Much original English-language erotic literature is arguably far more developed and arousing than this translation.

Despite its shortcomings as fiction, THE PROOF OF THE HONEY is a unique and intriguing historical and contemporary insight into Arab perspectives on sex (and this book may play a part in causing them to shift). (3.5 stars)

I wont go into the plot details since it is well described above. This is a sensuous book which explores a womans sexuality and discovery. It is not your typical novel with a plot and conversation. the style is more abstract and lyrical. its is evocative and bold. the writing is not crass or vulgar like some erotic fiction. i personally found this book meaningful because i come a sexually repressed nation especially for women. the love her writing and the book follows the tone of her personality and sexuality. I would read it. its a different experience.

"Some people conjure spirits. I conjure bodies. I have no knowledge of my soul or the souls of others. I know only my body and theirs. And I content myself with that."

The Proof of the Honey is a novel that explores traditional and modern notions of eroticism and sensuality in the Arab world. The unnamed narrator, like the author herself, was born in Damascus but later emigrated to France. She works in a research library in Paris but travels regularly to several Arab countries. She has found in her relationships with men that she can't feel or even understand romantic love, as Western culture expects her to feel it. To her, sex is only a matter of physical desire. She finds, however, common ground in the medieval erotic writings of a variety of Arab poets, physicians and philosophers. These writings, which are quoted throughout the novel, express a forthright delight in sexual pleasure unalloyed by notions of romantic attachment, possession or jealousy.

Admitting that today's Islam is anything but tolerant of promiscuity and outward sexual expression, the narrator shows how the traditions of frank sensuality remain alive within family and in various other physical activities such as bathing. She deplores, however, what she calls modern Arab dissimulation and hypocrisy in being unable to speak as directly and frankly about sex as their ancestors did. Language itself is an important part of the novel. "To talk about sex is to indulge in it," she maintains. "Words are a component of sexual energy."

The Proof of the Honey is not a book of a erotica, but rather a cultural exploration of eroticism. It does, however, contain--and insists upon--very explicit language. It is an eye-opening look at a surprisingly rich aspect of Arab literature, and an interesting story of how a woman used that literature to become comfortable with her body and her feelings.

When I read that this book was about “an Arab-French writer [who] explores in sensuous hindsight the life-changing nature of a passionate affair,” I had to buy the book. The Proof of the Honey turned out to be a bit more and a bit less than what I expected. It is classified as fiction, but it reads like a collection of biographical essays – all pertaining to sex. Sexuality of women and men, specifically within the Arab culture, and not simply regarding affairs (which is really what caught my interest). Since the plotlines are so light, I found myself analyzing my own sexuality and learning new things about myself.

I was not as blown away as other readers about her treatment of erotica, although Salwa Neimi surely does bring a surprisingly frankness to such a taboo topic. “Is the scandal in the act or the proclamation of the act?” The book is banned in many Arab nations but a best-seller in those that allow it. It’s a significant piece for dispelling myths and revealing the complexities of Arab culture, but this book just the tip of the iceberg. I immediately think about the hot and steamy passages of Arabian Nights: a collection of ancient folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age (8 AD – 1258). As Neimi says herself, “Arabic is the language of sex.”

Overall, this is a great, eye-opening novella. I highly suggest it!

I find this book, THE PROOF OF THE HONEY, to be very stimulating. It is classified as fiction, but it is more fact and closer to non-fiction. It is emotional, erotic and lustful, but in no way is it crude or filthy when compared with other fictional erotic writings.
As the author keeps on informing, sexual desire and the enjoyment of it is the ultimate in life. Sexual pleasure is above all - number one place of all enjoyment. It is both the GIVE and the TAKE. This PLEASURE is only achieved when both persons involved endeavour to give pleasure to the other. Treat the woman with respect and to what she expects, needs and deserves. Prolong sexual arousal, stimulating with all of the body. The one you desire for sexual pleasure must equally desire you for sexual pleasure. Be open with each other, agree on what will be really pleasurable to both bodies and accept that pleasure.
LOVE does not have to be part of the equation.
PLEASURE is the enjoyment of the book.
PLEASURE in the many words of wisdom within it.
PLEASURE is the taste of honey, and the proof of honey is honey.
This book tells what and how to sexually express oneself.
PLEASURE LASTS.