Reviewer: Liza Perrat, author of The Bone Angel
trilogy (Spirit of Lost Angels, Wolfsangel, Blood Rose Angel) and new release, The Silent Kookaburra.
In the cold and foggy north of England, Beth
tries, unsuccessfully, to prevent the abduction and forced marriage of 16-year-old
Layla. She then defies her dominating and controlling husband, Duncan, and travels to Cairo.
In the vast necropolis called the City of the Dead, she finds, and helps, Leyla,
who is hiding from her abusive husband and inciting fellow Muslim women to
rebel against the oppression under which they exist.
The author immediately drew me into this
story of women battling the violence of men, both in the UK and Egypt, and
their fight against traditions, religion and oppression.
It shows us how women
the world over can develop strong kinships despite their religion, race or
upbringing. She also excellently evoked the political unrest in which Beth
becomes caught up in, as well as the heat, squalor and smells of Egypt.
The reader can’t help but cheer on the
well-drawn characters of Beth and Layla, and the other women in this story, in
their battle. The realisation, once again, is drummed home of how fortunate I am not to live under
such an oppressive regime.
This was the first novel I’d read by
Dianne Noble, and I’m really looking forward to reading her other books. Very entertaining and educational!
You’ll like this if you enjoy: contemporary women's
fiction set against exotic foreign backdrops.
Avoid if you don’t
like: violence and injustice against females.
Ideal accompaniments: mashed fava beans on pita bread, washed down with
mint tea.
