Religious Fiction

The Book of Saladin is the fictional memoir of Saladin, the Kurdish liberator of Jerusalem, as dictated to a Jewish scribe, Ibn Yakub. Saladin grants Ibn Yakub permission to talk to his wife and retainers so that he might present a full portrait in the Sultan’s memoirs. A series of interconnected stories follows, tales brimming with warmth, earthy humor and passions in which ideals clash with realities and dreams are confounded by desires. At the heart of the novel is an affecting love affair between the Sultan’s favored wife, Jamila, and Halina, a later addition to the harem. The novel charts the rise of Saladin as Sultan of Egypt and Syria and follows him as he prepares, in alliance with his Jewish and Christian subjects, to take Jerusalem back from the Crusaders. This is a medieval story, but much of it will be uncannily familiar to those who follow events in contemporary Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad. Betrayed hopes, disillusioned soldiers and unrealistic alliances form the backdrop to The Book of Saladin.

This book could be a good read for someone who is seeking a deeply personal and heartfelt coming-out story. "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" beautifully explores the struggles and triumphs of the narrator, Jeanette, as she navigates her identity amidst the rigid beliefs of her religious household. It is this delicate balance between faith and self-discovery that makes this book truly remarkable and relatable. Be prepared to be moved by the captivating storytelling and the raw emotions that unfold throughout the pages.