Sunday, 05 September 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The Shining City by Joan Fallon is set in 10th century Spain, in the time of the Caliph and Moorish reign, it narrates a tragic tale of unrequited love and honour, with a bustling Madinat al Zahra in context.
A doomed romance between an artisan’s son, Omar and northern slave-girl, Isolde takes the centerstage. Things take a turn when she is sold to the Khalifa’s harem, becoming Caliph’s concubine. This ill-fated love rummages through the lives of their loved ones as it opens a Pandora box by unravelling his father, Qasim’s tumultuous past. Detailed accounts covering aspects from the sounds of people to the aroma of the city’s foods bring back the ghosts of a long-gone past.
The narrative animates the exotic history, culture, religion and even the day-to-day drill of the life under Moorish rule, striking a nostalgic nerve with readers. By personifying the ruined paths, broken tiles, archaic pillars and arches, The Shining City resurrects an insentient metropolis right from its graves.
