Salim Bachi

Okay, let's be honest: if this was a book about one of the many Prophets of monotheism who didn't get anyone to follow him, it would never have been written, let alone published, let alone read. But the subject is interesting, and you'll learn some things about Mohammed's life if you do read it.

As a work of literature, though, it's a bit meh. Bachi uses four narrators: Mohammed's first wife, Khadija; the first Caliph, Abu Bakr; the general Kalid ibn al-Walid; and Mohammed's 'controversial' (controversial only if you believe that everyone throughout history should abide by the moral norms of late twentieth century East coast America) young wife, Aisha. Okay, fine--I'm no expert, but I suspect that adopting a third person narrative voice, or a narrative from the Prophet's perspective, might look a lot like idolatry, so this approach makes sense. But since their voices are all identical, the effect of choosing real people as narrators is lost. And since Aisha, in particular, seems to have nothing to say other than 'I'm so much prettier than the other wives', it's hard to see what that third narrative is even doing in the book. The first three are interesting, if a bit clunky. 'Aisha', whom I assume is in heaven somewhere, is probably pissed that Bachi makes her sound like an unbearable little tish.

So, this is exactly what it looks like: a novel that's intended to teach its readers facts about history, rather than one that's intended to interest you with its art. Caveat Lector.… (more)