Translated by Peter Clark and based on the author's own family story.

Found this quite interesting with its description of exactly what's involved in the pilgrimmage to Mecca. I'd never heard of Daghestan (currently a Russian republic - one of the ones that hasn't yet become independent again) and had to look it up on a map to see where it was.

In this book, a mother repeats her grandfather's story to her children in the same episodic style he once used. Salih is a young boy living in Damascus with his father and hoping to be reunited with his mother who is still living in Daghestan. While on a pilgrimmage to Mecca with his father, Salih learns that his mother will not be joining them after all. The story continues as Salih grows up and works towards his reunion with his mother.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book went to lunch at Town (on Waialae Avenue) and went home with someone else! Hope you like it.

Gratefully received at today's TOC luncheon. Thanks!

a fine book. I feel such a conflict between the Islamic literature I read and the insanity in the papers.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

on a table by Jack in the Box