Book Recommendations
The Hand of Fatima
By Ildefonso Falcones, Ildefonso Falcones de Sierra
Fiction, Historical, General, Family Life | 896 pages
1 recommendation
1564, the Kingdom of Granada. After years of Christian oppression, the Moors take arms against their masters and daub the white houses of Sierra Nevada with the blood of their victims. Amidst the conflict is young Hernando, the son of an Arab woman and the Christian priest who raped her. Despised by the townsfolk and by his own stepfather for his 'tainted' heritage, he is banished to live in the stables. When Hernando meets Fatima, a beautiful girl with black eyes, she becomes the love of his life. But his stepfather accuses Hernando of Christian sympathies and condemns him to slavery. In despair, Hernando hatches a plan to unite the two warring faiths - and the two halves of his identity.
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Sandra Hicks
"The history of Spain peeps out at you wherever you are meandering in this richly complex and fascinating country. And especially in this book. Vivid descriptions bring to life the Moorish arches, the cathedrals, churches and mosques. White towns nestling on hilltops. The origins of the names of the pueblos and places. Like Al...Al-hambra....
The Hand of Fatima is an incredible tale that weaves magic with tragedy as it brings to life the challenges and traumas faced by lives blended by religion.
The book describes the powerful forces of complex ideologies that shaped yet deformed the simple way of life that should be on offer to every child. An angry sky of Christian and Moorish clouds on a boy's horizon.
Set in turbulent times, the story describes one boy's path from rags to riches, and his search for love all with the incredible backdrop of Granada.
It is a beautiful book that really vibrates with the passionate emotions of the peoples who rightly (and wrongly) have shaped the lives of so many who live in this dramatic province of mountain peaks, gilded cities and dramatic plains. I couldn't put it down. A book to read on holiday here where I really got to understand 'la historia de la vida' of old españa."
The Hand of Fatima is an incredible tale that weaves magic with tragedy as it brings to life the challenges and traumas faced by lives blended by religion.
The book describes the powerful forces of complex ideologies that shaped yet deformed the simple way of life that should be on offer to every child. An angry sky of Christian and Moorish clouds on a boy's horizon.
Set in turbulent times, the story describes one boy's path from rags to riches, and his search for love all with the incredible backdrop of Granada.
It is a beautiful book that really vibrates with the passionate emotions of the peoples who rightly (and wrongly) have shaped the lives of so many who live in this dramatic province of mountain peaks, gilded cities and dramatic plains. I couldn't put it down. A book to read on holiday here where I really got to understand 'la historia de la vida' of old españa."
