I finally got the chance to read Sherry Jones's controversial novel The Jewel of Medina, the fictional account of Aisha, one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. I've mentioned the controversy before, but Wikipedia has a good summary of the events surrounding the book's publication. The reviews of the book have been pretty scathing. Aside from the complaints of its historical inaccuracy, it has been called soft-core pornography, a "second-rate bodice ripper" and a version of chick lit. The reviewer from the New York Times referred to Jones as inexperienced and untalented, and the prose as lamentable. Ayaan Hirsi Ali (author of Infidel and co-creator of the documentary of Muslim women that resulted in the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh) says that the novel is too easy on Muhammad and doesn't inspire young Muslim women to imagine that there is a reality beyond subjugation.
My impressions? This is simply another mediocre historical fiction novel. As far as accuracy, I know nothing about Aisha or Muhammad or about that time period, so I have no way of judging. But that's why it's historical FICTION. I'm guessing that the number of historical fiction novels that are completely accurate is quite small. If you don't like that, then get a biography of Aisha. Accuracy is a plus in historical fiction, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. I think the novel is successful when it inspires you to get the facts; read a biography. Was that the case here? Eh. Not so much. As for the novel being a bodice-ripper and soft-core pornography, I'd say that's a bit of an exaggeration. There are some low-key sex scenes, but nothing close to a bodice-ripper. It barely made me blush. As for the lamentable prose, that is, unfortunately, right on. She refers to sex as the "sting of the scorpion's tail" and an embrace with her father as "a coffee-and-cardamom embrace." Ugh. It was a little off-putting. The description of life in Medina, the language, customs, etc. was so-so. But Aisha is an interesting character and the story was engaging and entertaining. Bottom line: entertaining but not exceptional.
1 comment:
My review wasn't scathing. While The Jewel of Medina is not a literary novel, I found it enjoyable to read, and I think a lot of other readers would feel the same way. As you say, its value is in encouraging readers to think and become interested in the history behind the novel. A quick web search turned up some sources that the author seems to have followed fairly closely - though no two historians will ever agree 100% on interpretation, especially when a religious figure like Muhammad is involved. My review is at www.HistoricalNovels.info.
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