![]() ![]() Whilst it is refreshing to have a story focus on a character who wears a hijab, it can sometimes feel like the characters who surround her, as with her other novel ‘Bird Summons’, act as nothing more than caricatures (the arrogant brother, the naive, idealistic and love-struck young man) as they lack the depth which Aboulela is able to imbue Najwa with. In many ways her new career as a maid helps her to realise this, as she sees her old self reflected in the supercilious and superficial people she works for and is therefore able to more readily accept the loss of her superficial status for something far more substantial. The narrative frequently jumps back in time, which helps the reader steadily build a picture of her transformation from a confident, spoiled, rich Westernised young woman to somebody who has outlook on life has radically changed over time due to the hardships she has faced, who has found sustenance in a religious identity she has slowly discovered for herself. ![]() Minaret follows the story of Najwa, from her privileged youth in Sudan to her impoverished exile in England, where her life and world view is transformed not just by her loss of status, but also her spiritual awakening as she seeks solace in a world which has been deprived of all meaning for her. ![]()
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