Helpful Score: 8
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.
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.
After all the hype over this book (would it or would it not be published), I was anxious to read it to see what all the fuss was about.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.
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.
Helpful Score: 1
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?
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?
Helpful Score: 1
I love novels based on historical events, and there are many which enable us to experience ancient and medieval times and places, through vigorous research and elegant language. This was not one. The writing was leaden, cliche ridden, and sorely in need of editing. Into the first third of the book, I stopped listing the errors of time, place, customs and language ( checking with Google, Wikopedia, God's War, A History of God, and others). Many of the events, practices, and expressions came into being long after Muhammed's time on earth and Aisha's bratty, impetuous personna seemed more suitable for a Disney heroine. As a matter of curiosity, I wonder how likely it would be for the 7th century Arab harem of Muhammed's 10 wives, one would have fiery red hair(Aisha) and another, blonde hair and blue eyes(Maryam)...in Mecca and Medina? I would not recommend this book to a serious reader.
