The Jewel of Medina (original 2008; edition 2008)

This is my new favorite aurther. People must read this book. ( )

This is the story of the birth of the Muslim religion told through the eyes of the Prophet Muhammad's child bride, A'isha. Excellent writing and very interesting to this reader who knew nothing about Islam. This is a love story but a very realistic one. Life was not easy in Arabia in the year 622. War and drought and lack of food were the only constants. Add into the mix the fact that Muhammad had many wives who lived in his "harem" and that A'isha was a very jealous wife, this created a lot of competition and drama. Most of the marriages involved politics and alliances in furtherance of Islam. I did feel the book tried to cover too much territory at the expense of character development, but it was still a good read. ( )

This was historical fiction telling the story of A'isha Bint Abi Bakr child bride of the Prophet Muhammad. It's set at the beginning of the of Islam, while it is a story of the beginnings of Islam it is more a story of A'ish and her life. It’s told in first person from A'isha's point of view, she was promised/engaged to Muhammad very young and married him when she was 9 years old. She was his third wife and after seeing her mother be a kind of slave to the head wife in her own home A'isha vows to be hatun or "Great Lady" and never be a slave to anyone.
A'isha is just a child when she marries Muhammad and has a quick tongue and a jealous streak that gets her in trouble alot, she can be rash and petty but she is also strong, independent and eventually very loyal to those she allows to love her.
I enjoyed this book I've read alot of historical fiction but never any set in this time and place so it was a new experience for me. It was interesting how Ms. Jones brings a humanity to Muhammad that maybe we non-Muslims didn't know about him like how he treated his wives he listened to their opinion and would never have beat them, which in that day and age no matter what religion was something different.
I will be reading the next book in this series to see what happens to everyone after the sadness at the end of this book.
I would say if you like historical fiction with a good love story try this book. ( )

I'm not really sure who this book would or was supposed to appeal to. If you're looking forward to learning a bit about the history of the Muslim faith while enjoying a nice fiction narrative (like I was), you will pick up a bit of 101 level knowledge but that's about it. For those well-versed in the faith and members of it- well many have found a lot to object to and may just become frustrated. If you're a romance fan- well, I just didn't find the situation at all romantic. There's a few light situations but no humor, and no real warmth. It's funny that this book claimed so much controversy- it's so light, unsubstantial and quickly forgettable that while it DESERVES to be published, I guess I don't see what the publisher did when they decided to pick this up. ( )

This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction. It is the story of the Prophet Muhammad second wife, his child bride A'isha. Through her eyes, we experience the struggle of being the young wife of Prophet Muhammad, growing up in the harim. We also get a taste of the birth of Islam and the politics of the day.

The writing is wonderful and quite descriptive without being overbearing. It sucked me into A'isha's world, a world so different from today's world. I only wished I could have known more about what happened to A'isha in her later years. Would she continue to be the same strong woman, ready to battle for the people and religion she loved? ( )

This is the story of The Prophet Muhammad's second wife, A'isha. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be elegantly descriptive--I felt like I could see, hear, and even smell exactly what A'isha was experiencing. I also enjoyed learning more about the birth of Islam as a religion. I was actually sad to see this book end--I finished it in 1 day! Throughout the read, I did have to keep reminding myself of A'isha's young age--she was known as Muhammad's child bride because she was married to him at age 9.

I highly recommend this book to Historical Fiction fans, those interested in the roots of Islam, and those who like to read books about strong, empowered women. ( )

This was an awesome book, the main character was one of Mohammad's wives. She was a child bride and this book chronicles her struggle to become a woman, and to find her place in life, and love. I would definately recommend this book to others and plan on reading the sequel as soon as it comes out. ( )

This is the story of Aisha, child-bride of Muhammad, told in a first person narrative. In my opinion, the book was contrived and unimpressive. Authenticity was lacking in the characters and their development. Aisha’s voice was not genuine. The writing was weak and lacked any kind of depth. I struggled to get through this book. ( )

A'isha was a fairly likeable heroine. She was strong willed and quick witted, and this was both a blessing and a curse. Her sharp tongue often caused her problems with her sister-wives and her husband. Her immaturity also came through, as it should, as she was quite young when she married Muhammad.

One critic of the book called it "soft-core pornography", and I found that to be grossly exaggerated. The writing was a bit flowery for my taste, but not even remotely explicit. I believe that the criticism of the book was based on the fact that Muhammad was not always written in the most flattering light. For example, there are a couple of scenarios in the book where A'isha thought Muhammad's love of power was greater than his love of God.

My favorite part of the book was the interaction between the sister-wives. This gave a sense of the times they lived in and also highlighted how most women were treated. Muhammad was an exception in that he seemed to listen to and value the opinion of his wives.

For me, good historical fiction makes you want to read and learn more about the time period the book was set in. The Jewel of Medina introduced me to an interesting time, and I would like to learn more. ( )

A fictionalized account of the life of the presumed favorite wife of the Prophet Muhammad, nine-year old Aisha bint Abu Bakr. Though I know very little about the subject presented and thus cannot verify its historical accuracy, it did ring true to what little I do know of the period. Many might think that Aisha's attitudes seem far too modern but this is the woman who fought for Islam after the death of her husband.

This is an engaging story and well told. I predict it will be a big hit among women with both an interest in the subject and a penchant for stories with a romantic bent. ( )

A’isha is a 6 year old girl who, after her parents betrothed her to Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, was required to remain in her family home until she had her first menstrual period. For an adventurous girl such as herself, she is tortured by the limitations placed on her simply because she was betrothed. She dreamed of escaping to freedom with the Bedouins with Safwan, her childhood friend during the entire length of her purdah. When she witnesses a woman from her clan dragged away by a man who would disgrace her as well, A’isha can barely contain herself from taking up a sword and defending her neighbor herself. She may have been young and she may have been a girl, but she had the heart of a warrior. It was this spirit which caught the eye of Muhammad and changed her destiny.

I first heard about this novel in August when it was reported that Random House was pulling its publication for fear of angering Muslims and perhaps inciting violence. This reminded me of the events surrounding Salmon Rushdie and The Satanic Verses. I found the decision disappointing. Self-censorship out of fear of what might happen is in some ways worse than forcible censorship because it isn’t always as visible. How many other books have never been published out of fear? Thankfully, it was finally published by Beaufort Books in the United States. When I snagged a copy of this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program, I was very curious to see just what it was that caused such a large publisher to back down. This is a novelization of a portion of Muhammad’s life through the eyes of his most notorious wife. Still, he was portrayed with warmth and empathy. His charisma and love of Allah are obvious, but so is his humanity. While I suppose any fictionalization of Muhammad may anger some Muslims, no offense was intended. Canceling this publication was much ado about nothing.

As most established religions have struggled against the treatment of women and their roles in society, A’isha’s character is especially interesting as (to Western eyes) Muslim women seemed to be the most imprisoned by their faith, family, and spouse. The only issue I had with this novel was the story line surrounding the way in which the rules surrounding facial covering became part of Muslim life. Making a vision seem convenient to Muhammad felt like an “easy out” that was not at all in line with his character. I do not know exactly how this came to be part of the Islam faith, but it seems to have sprang more from the existing culture than from Allah.

The Jewel of Medina is a fast paced and engrossing look at the beginnings of Islam through the eyes of a young girl who eventually becomes the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad. At the beginning I was reminded of The 19th Wife because of the common themes of plural marriage and being married to a prophet. The 19th Wife and The Jewel of Medina are both ambitious novels attempting to provide insight on the origins of world religions through the stories of the women involved. Interesting that both novels would be published this year. For me, Jones’ novel worked where Ebershoff’s did not. From the moment that A’isha is married to the much older Muhammad, I could not put the book down. This novel’s insights into living among sister-wives were more compelling and, as there is only one voice telling the story, the reader is always fully aware of the opinions coloring the story. While we can’t truly understand today without knowledge of the past, by leaving the modern out of The Jewel of Medina Sherry Jones brought early Arabic culture and the roots of Islam to life without much of the cynicism of today.

I cannot recommend this novel enough. It is a wonderful way to learn about the origins of Islam through the eyes of a complex and strong young girl and then woman. A’isha does not conform to my ideas of a typical Muslim woman anymore than she did during her day and age. She had to fight for her place in Muhammad’s harim and for the place of women in her society. Being so much younger than her husband, A’isha’s story does not end upon Muhammad’s death and I am eagerly waiting for the sequel. The Jewel of Medina, like all of the historical fiction I’ve enjoyed, has peaked my interest in Islam, Muhammad and his wives. I absolutely enjoyed the adventure and I’m sure you will, too.

http://literatehousewife.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/131-the-jewel-of-medina/ ( )

When A’isha is nine and Islam in its infancy, she marries the prophet Muhammad and would go on to become one of the great women in Islamic history. Despite her youth, A’isha finds herself the favored wife, advising and supporting her husband, while simultaneously doing her own maturing, discovering her own strengths and combating her weaknesses.

Although it was interesting to see how the author chose to pin a personality onto such a huge historic figure, I didn’t feel the reader was given enough meaningful glimpses into Muhammad and A’isha’s relationship to understand why she was so favored. A’isha’s actions and thought processes seem at some times to be beyond her years, and at others very typically reflecting her tender age. I enjoyed the opportunity to read about a culture and time period I was fairly unfamiliar with, and it would be interesting to read other historical fiction from the same era. ( )

A'isha bint Abi Bakr has known the prophet Muhammad all her life; in fact, he was present at her birth. When her father, a close ally to Muhammad, decides to cement his loyalty and friendship to the prophet by betrothing A'isha to him when she is just 6 years old, her fate as his "child-bride" begins. Though A'isha will not be married to Muhammad for three years, her betrothal to the prophet brings many unusual changes into the life of the young girl. Beginning with an unusually early purdah (forced segregation from the opposite sex), A'isha discovers that life as Muhammad's favored wife will not be an easy task. Not only must she give up her freedom and taste for adventure, she must navigate a path to her husband's heart among a plethora of other women who also call Muhammad "husband," and forsake the man who is her true heart's desire. As A'isha grows from child to woman, the new religion of Islam, under Muhammad's care, grows with her. The Jewel of Medina is the little-known story of the woman behind Allah's chosen messenger; Here are A'isha bint Bakr's desires, disappointments and dreams for all to see, woven amongst the inception of one of the worlds most formidable and misunderstood religions.

After hearing all the hype surrounding this book, I was expecting a tome filled with controversy. I wasn't sure what it would deliver. Would it be a blasphemous portrayal of the foremost man of Islam? Would it be slanderous or rife with sexual impropriety? What could possibly be so contentious about this book? So, I read it, and what I found was a bit disappointing. The book, although interesting and timely, was a bit heavy-handed and trite. It seems that the elements that were most upsetting must have been Muhammad's taking so many wives. His appetite for women and marriage seemed at times almost comic and unbelievable. If a new woman was described in the narrative, chances are that in a few pages Muhammad would take her as a wife. This portrayal made Muhammad seem like an unscrupulous and lewd old man. I believe that was one of the reasons it was so hard for me to see this character as a great leader to many people. I just couldn't believe a man who had such tremendous sexual appetites was a holy and revered man. In a way, this depiction made Muhammad look manipulative and crafty. For example, when he heard the voice of God commanding him to take more wives, he claimed his need for more women only had to do with strategic alliances for Islam. But tied up in these protestations was the story of a lusty man amassing a harem of women. Which brings me to my next point: This unabashed parade of new wives seemed to be the center of the story.

Instead of character or story development, it seemed that the story was about many women fighting over one man. The story had no other underlying plot than the jealousies and competitions of A'isha and the rest of the women. Instead of relating the story of one woman's love and relationship with a charismatic leader, what I got instead was a novel full of infighting, insecurity and envy. When I realized that this book was not going to be the serious piece of semi-history that I had hoped for, I was able to take it for what it was and begin to enjoy the ride. As far as historical romance goes, this wasn't a bad book. The problem is that with all the attention surrounding this book, readers may be expecting a more factual or enlightening interpretation of Islam and it's first lady, when in fact this is more of a book filled with unrequited romantic intrigue.

I also felt that the book contained a weak interpretation of Muhammad. As a reader, I never saw him as a forceful personal leader. In fact, he seemed a bit wishy-washy and irresolute. Without belaboring the point, the fact was that he was so busy with all of his wives that he was never seen in any other capacity. Another thing that I noticed was that the book also had almost no atmospheric touches, so it seemed that there was a scarcity of historical or cultural flavor in the narrative. The effect of this void was that it made the story more bland and forgettable than other historical novels that I have read.

Although this review paints a somewhat bleak picture, The Jewel of Medina was not a terrible book. At times it was entertaining and exciting, if only to answer the questions of the romantic quandaries in the story. The book also had a nice flow, with little to no awkwardness in the elements of the storytelling. Though I felt that the story was a little common and corny, I also thought that it was executed fairly well. While I did end up somewhat enjoying it, that was only after a huge adjustment in my expectations. The main problem was that I just couldn't lose myself in the story because it seemed farcical and unimportant. I thought the book would be inspirational and moving, but in the end it wasn't. I think that is one of the problems with books that are just so hyped: there is bound to be disappointment unless the book is absolutely brilliant. After all this, I would still recommend this book to those who like historical romance and wouldn't mind taking a chance on a first time author. ( )

Earlier this year, in an attempt to learn more about Islam, I spent some time trying to find a fictionalized account of Muhammad’s life. At the time, I felt this would be a starting point for learning more about the foundations of Islam. Though my search was certainly not exhaustive, it was purposeful, but in the end I didn’t find any historical fiction about early Islam. I remembered thinking this seemed odd; a completely unmet literary niche. But since I had no plans to write such a book myself, I settled instead for a couple of nonfiction books by Karen Armstrong, which were highly recommended as primers about Muhammad and Islam.
By the time Sherry Jones’ book “The Jewel of Medina” became an LT ER option, I’d forgotten about my earlier quest to find historical Islamic fiction. Consequently, I neglected to realize that “The Jewel of Medina” is actually something of an extraordinary undertaking. It wasn’t until I was well over half way through the book that I learned about its controversial publication.
“The Jewel of Medina” tells the story of A’isha, who was married to Muhammad at a very young age (nine?). Her story explores the unique perspective of not only being a child bride, but also of being one of many wives. A’isha’s life occurs during a significant historical crossroads; she was witness to the birth of one of the world’s great religions, and all the bumps that attended that birth. It is also a story about love and friendship, communication and trust. It illustrates A’isha’s journey towards finding peace with oneself and one’s lot in life. While Muhammad is certainly a central character, this is a book about women, and its plotline is driven by their actions and feelings.
From a strictly literary standpoint, the book is mediocre. It is a moderately engaging story; neither difficult book to put down or difficult to pick up. Jones spends most of her time drawing the female characters and fleshing them out (specifically from A’isha’s perspective; the book is written in the first person). There is little room given to the sights, smells, and atmosphere of being in 7th Century Middle East. Consequently, that place to which the reader longs to step into is disappointingly blank. Little of the imagery lingers; there is little sensory stimulation. This was disappointment for me, because the aspect of historical fiction I most enjoy is to be transported to another place and time.
Authors are supposed to write what they know, and though Jones is certainly a woman and writes about women’s issues, she isn’t Muslim. Jones’ characters seem to be drawn heavily from a 20th Century perspective. There is a chasm of character-intuition that is self-defeating. This is a book more about feminism, 7th Century-style, and less about Islam itself.
Furthermore, I kept encountering the fatal flaw of a lot of historical fiction: how much of the story can be trusted as factual? For me, and a lot of my reading friends, this is a significant question. When this question comes between me and my ability to absorb the story, there is a problem. Especially when the story in unfamiliar territory. Jones’ novel is relationally-driven, rather than driven by historical fact.
For a story about the origins of one of history’s most influential and significant religions, the book is notably void of spirituality. This may be part of the inherent problem with writing about another person’s faith. The lack of Muhammad’s poetic revelations is notable. Everyone in the story seems to be paying lip service to “al-Lah”, but there seems to be no real “showing it” examples of the characters being molded and shaped by God. There is no sense of any character – Muhammad included – having a genuine encounter with God.
On the plus side, what Jones does right is to make her characters fully human. Despite their historical importance, they make mistakes; they are driven by lust, greed, and selfishness. In this sense, they are real and accessible. Even if it is from a 20th Century Western feminist perspective, there were times when I had to pause reading the book and imagine myself in a similar culture and time.
Is it possible for a non-Muslim, Western woman to tell this story? This question nagged at me from the get-go. And clearly, this seems to underlay many of my comments. Certainly, it is a story that should be written, as should many other stories about Islam. And if Muslim men and women won’t do it, who then is left?
Turning the question around, could a book about Jesus Christ written by an atheist be relevant? As a Christian, my answer to that question is: yes. If only to understand how someone outside of my belief system views its foundation and founder, yes, such a book would be very valuable. (And many such books – both respectful and scathing - have been written.) It is also likely there would be parts that would seem to “misunderstand” my faith, and perhaps even be offensive. But in a pluralistic society it is a hopeful sign when people of different worldviews and cultural contexts deeply try to respectfully understand and honor each other.
This is certainly what Sherry Jones has tried to do. No, she’s didn’t get everything right, but who of us ever does? Readers who enjoy Philippa Gregory’s books, and Anita Diamant’s “The Red Tent,” might enjoy “The Jewel of Medina.” ( )

After all the hype over this book (would it or would it not be published), I was anxious to read it to see what all the fuss was about. That said, this is not going to become a classic of the 21st Century. It's historical fiction/romance - and accepting that it's a fair read.

I read for pleasure and enjoyed this book. I tend towards historical fiction because I like learning about different times and places - and while historical fiction may not always be accurate, it usually serves as a stepping stone for me to delve into history books about a person, place or era.

I liked getting a peek at the infancy of Islam and learning who A'isha was. Both she and the era were new to me. I'm most definitely interested in learning more about her. If Sherry Jones achieved anything with her novel, she's driven me to a new section of the library. ( )

The Jewel of Medina
Sherry Jones

The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones is set in the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad’s harim and the plot consists of the battle to win his favor. The story is told entirely from the point of view of A’isha, Muhammad’s most beloved bride amongst a bevy of beautiful wives. Married at nine she is affectionately called “child bride”, and as such her position in the harim is constantly undermined. As she navigates the politics of Muhammad’s harim, she is embroiled in controversies, intrigues and betrayals. As she comes of age, A’isha tests the concepts of faith and love.

A book for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike, Jones’ subject matter is absorbing. A’isha is a strong central heroine who you can’t help but root for. For example, I’ve never rooted so hard for a pre-teen to consummate her marriage (as disturbing as that is). Jones’ admits some liberties, but also educates genuinely educates her reader about Muhammad’s times and the origins of Islam.

Though billed as historical fiction, the language leans a little flowery, and at times the story’s tension will remind you of a romance novel. And beware--some readers will find some of the subject matter offensive. But if you’re a fan of the “histomance” genre, this book is definitely recommended. But do be prepared for a cliff hanger ending, and the anticipation of Jones’ second book in the series. ( )

Summary: This book is essentially a love story set amidst the early days of Islam. It's told from the point of view of A'isha bint Abi Bakr, the child bride of the Prophet Muhammad. Betrothed at six, married at nine, and widowed at nineteen, A'isha wanted nothing more than to be a warrior, fighting to protect her loved ones and her infant religion against the rival tribes that want to destroy it. However, in a time and society where women were treated as property, A'isha chafed against the restrictions put on her due to her gender, struggled to maintain her position as head wife as Muhammad's harem increased in size, and ultimately used her independent spirit to become Muhammad's favorite, as well as his political advisor and confidant.

Review: There has been a mighty kerfluffle surrounding publication of this book (if you haven't heard about it, there's a pretty good summary of things on Wikipedia), but after having read it, I kind of fail to see what the hubbub is all about. Granted, I am not Muslim, but from an outsider's point of view, I think that Sherry Jones was actually very respectful towards early Islam, and towards Muhammad in particular. Muhammad is painted very clearly as a man, with a man's weaknesses and vices, which means that while he's certainly portrayed as being wise and holy, he's also shown to be flawed and fallible - human, in other words. Secondly, A'isha is a relatively important and contentious figure in the Sunni/Shi'ite split, so this book's sympathetic portrayal of her automatically alienates a large chunk of the potential readership. I can't say whether either of these things are technically blasphemous under the tenets of Islam, but I certainly don't think either of them are meant to be disrespectful - quite the contrary, in fact.

I also don't think the book itself is worthy of so much kerfluffle as novels go. It was a pretty standard historical romance: seemingly mis-matched man and woman overcoming obstacles and temptations, with true love winning out in the end, etc., etc. There was an interesting story to be told here about women and women's rights, love and duty and freedom, but I felt like it never quite reached its potential, getting lost instead in a seemingly never-ending stream of jealous bickering and brattishness. The language, too, worked against the story, with somewhat stilted dialogue, an overreliance on internal monologuing, and an overabundance of florid metaphors.

Despite the less-than-stellar writing and plotting, I did enjoy the setting of the novel. I knew very little (almost nothing, in truth) about the foundation of Islam, and this book was a pretty palatable way to learn some religious history. While it certainly wasn't a terrible read, neither was it a great one, and that unexceptional-ness was its downfall; it could have (and should have) been much more than it was. On the whole, though, I think this book is going to sell way more copies based on the controversy surrounding it than it ever would on the strength of its own merit. 3 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Worth reading if you want to know what the controversy's all about... but I'd get it from the library instead of the bookstore. ( )

The Quick Synopsis:
The Jewel of Medina is a historical fiction novel about A'isha bint Abu Bakr, one of the Prophet Muhammad's numerous wives and, according to Muslim history, his favorite. The story is told in first person and covers A'isha's life from childhood to young adulthood (she was 18 years old when Muhammad died.)

The Tempest in a Teapot:
Much controversy has surrounded this debut novel from Sherry Jones. It was originally picked up by Random House in a two-book, $100,000 deal in 2007. Prior to scheduled publication in August of 2008, galleys were sent out and a subsequent firestorm erupted when a University of Texas Professor by the name of Denise Spellberg decided to warn Random House that the book could incite violence from radical Muslim groups, calling the book "an ugly, stupid piece of work" and "soft-core pornography."

Random House dropped the book like a hot potato. Some people screamed "censorship!". Others screamed "heresy!". The publishing world was in an uproar. Enter British publisher Gibson Square, who picked up the rights and published the book. A short time later, Gibson Square headquarters were set on fire in an apparently related arson case.

Long story short, Beaufort Books, a small American publishing house who apparently knows a cash-cow when they see one, picked up the rights here in the U.S. and that's how it ended up in my reading pile.

The Literary Criticism
While I wouldn't go so far as to call it "an ugly, stupid piece of work," as Ms. Spellberg did, it's not going to be nominated for any literary awards in the near future. I found the novel to be something of a missed opportunity. Jones writes the novel from A'isha's viewpoint, but rather than exploring the thoughts and actions of a 7th-century Middle Eastern girl caught up in the birth of a major new faith that will change the course of history, she instead gives us a fluffy historical romance novel.

Now there's nothing wrong with a good romance novel, in my elevated opinion. (The Thornbirds, anyone?) Unfortunately, The Jewel of Medina doesn't even make a good romance novel. Jones tries to use the ol' tried-n-true romance formula:

1. Girl yearns for freedom to be an independant, free spirit who transcends the gender limitations of her era.
2. Somewhere along the way she falls in love with the perfect man.
3. They clash.
4. They overcome the obstacle.
5. They live Happily Ever After.

The reason this formula works in a historical romance novel is because modern-day women identify with the protagonists goals, which are quite attainable in the 21st-century. But it is a formula and an overused one, at that.

The problem with this formula in The Jewel of Medina is that A'isha was but six years old when Muhammad asked for her hand in marriage and only nine years old when the marriage was consummated. By modern day standards this would be considered the rape of a child. Jones tries to gloss over this by delaying consummation of the marriage until A'isha is a teenager and at the same time presenting A'isha as much more mature than a child could possibly be. She is given thoughts and dialogue more consistent with a much older girl. Except she plays with toy horses. Alot. With Muhammad (which only makes him look creepier. I can see why this might offend some people.)

Jones never seems to reconcile exactly how she wants to paint the Prophet Muhammad. She seems to go out of her way to emphasize his compassion and enlightened (at least by 7th-century standards) views of women. Yet when it comes to his acquisition of wives, which was common for the time, she ends up giving us a lecherous old man. Perhaps a dichotomy was intended, but it only reads as inconsistency instead.

Similes abound and are so heavy that they sometimes illicit an unintended chuckle:

"That evening I stepped into the courtyard to see the moon. It dangled like an ornament from the bejeweled sky, dipped in gold and looming so close it beckoned my fingers to reach out and pluck it."

Dialogue doesn't fare much better. The act of sex is continually referred to as the "scorpion's sting." Ouch. I'll leave it at that.

I fully believe that Jones holds A'isha and the Prophet in the highest regard. She clearly had the best of intentions with this novel. But we all know what the road to heck is paved with, don't we? I was looking forward to a novel full of insight into the birth of Islam and the role the Prophet's wives played. I was looking for a glimpse into the mind and life of a Middle Eastern woman in 7th-century Saudi Arabia. I was looking for...something different than what I got, I suppose.

And for those Muslims who were so worried that us Westerners would believe such things about Muhammad? Give us a little credit, please.

The Recommendation:
If you want to weigh in on the controversy by all means go ahead and buy the book, just don't have high expectations for an enlightening, engaging read. Better yet, go buy a copy of The Thorn Birds. ( )

Even before its publication, The Jewel of Medina angered some people, made some very nervous, and rallied others who resent being told what they may or may not read. The book’s first publisher bailed out on it’s deal to publish the novel and its British publisher, after being firebombed, is yet to publish the book. Thankfully, the publication and marketing of this Sherry Jones debut novel in the United States has been accomplished without violence and with little, if any, real protest from those who would like to see Jones silenced.
The Jewel of Medina is not a great novel. But, of course, it is not that simple.

Any fictional account written today about the relationship between the Prophet Muhammad and his nine wives and four concubines, even as sympathetic an account as this one, will be controversial. But, more particularly, The Jewel of Medina is especially prone to controversy since it is told from the point-of-view of Muhammad’s “child bride,” A’isha bint Abi Bakr, who was betrothed to Muhammad when she was six years old and he was fifty.

A’isha, as portrayed by Jones, is an independent and willful little girl, a free spirit who sees herself as the equal of any male she encounters. She is especially close to one of the little boys, Safwan, she plays with every day and his continuing presence in her life will at times tempt her to break her marriage vows to Muhammad.

A’isha’s world changes forever on the day that her mother calls her away from her friends to tell her that she is to immediately begin purdah, confinement to her home, where she will remain until her husband comes to claim her on her wedding day. That is shock enough for a little girl like A’isha, but the even bigger shock is that the future husband to whom she was betrothed at birth, Safwan, is out of the picture. Instead, her husband-to-be is a man even older than her father, the Prohphet Muhammad.

Rebellious, though she might be, A’isha remains confined to the home of her parents for the next three years and, by the time she is nine years old and Muhammad comes for her, she is desperate for a change of scenery despite her fears about what marriage will be like. Much to her relief, the marriage between A’isha and her new husband is not actually consummated until several more years pass and she has matured into womanhood.

Ironically, as imagined by Jones, A’isha eventually becomes much more anxious to consummate the marriage than Muhammad is because of the competition she faces within Muhammad’s harem for its leadership role. She realizes that her image as “child bride” is not one to convey the status and respect required for her to assume the role of “Great Lady of the harem.” The A’isha of The Jewel of Medina, much like the historical A’isha, grows into a strong woman, very much a Joan of Arc of her times, a woman who becomes a trusted advisor to Muhammad and who leads troops into battle against the enemies of Islam. In fact, although it is not covered in the book, the historical A’isha played a key role in the initial Islamic civil war that produced the split between the Sunni and Shi’ite factions that is still causing problems for the religion today.

The Jewel of Medina is historical fiction, “fiction,” being the key word. It is not anti-Islam and, to the contrary, it reads as a very pro-Islam look at the religion and its founder, the Prophet Muhammad. It places the religion’s origins into the context of its times, a time when war among different tribes and alliances was more the norm than the exception, when leaders had to literally fight for the survival of their own, a time when polygamous marriages were often entered into as a means of building political alliances.

More importantly, it is a reminder that Muhammad was a human being, something of which he himself often took great pains to remind his followers.

I said earlier that The Jewel of Medina is not a great novel. Its style is a little stilted, especially the dialogue, and that makes it easier to take in doses of a chapter or two at a time rather than in longer stretches. But even though it focuses largely on the relationships between, and internal struggles for dominance, among Muhammad’s wives, there is much to learn from the novel. Most readers, in fact, will come away from the book with a better understanding of, and more compassion for, the religion of Islam than with which they began the book.

I, for one, am thankful that the author and publisher had the courage to get this one into my hands. It was not a wasted effort on any of our parts.

Rated at: 3.5 ( )