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September 8, 2008

Rejecting "The Jewel of Medina"

Is the romance novel about Muhammad a religion story?

Susan Wunderink

When Random House dropped the The Jewel of Medina, a romance novel about Muhammad and his child bride, they said it was because it "could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment." Were they talking about literary critics?

A Wall Street Journal op-ed quotes the professor who, according to the article, sparked fears of violent retribution, saying the novel was "a very ugly, stupid piece of work. . . . You can't play with a sacred history and turn it into soft core pornography."

NPR posted an excerpt of the prologue of the book, now to be published by Beaufort Books: "Scandal blew in on the errant wind when I rode into Medina clutching Safwan's waist. My neighbors rushed into the street like storm waters flooding a wadi." Ugh.

Further down in the passage, Muhammad is reverently and sympathetically portrayed. But kind intentions and literary mediocrity didn't render the book passable in Serbia, where a publisher pulled the book and apologized to an Islamic society that was getting ready to protest. It remains to be seen how "small, radical segments" will react this year when the book is published in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Macedonia, Brazil and Germany.

Beaufort Books also published HarperCollins/Regan Books castoff If I Did It by O.J. Simpson.

posted by Susan Wunderink | Comments (3)

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This information is not accurate. It would be ideal if you would do more research before posting rumors as facts. This novel was not withdrawn in Serbia, the publisher is being supported by not only the Serbian people and government but also the Muftis of Bosnia and Serbia. Further, this bridge building book is actually building bridges there with Christians and Muslims communicating about the issues of free speech, censorship and the respect for each other's religions. You comment on 'literary mediocrity' having not read the book. Perhaps review commentary could wait until you do. Keep in mind that this was a Book of the Month Club selection and a major release for Random House, not the hallmark of mediocrity. If you had read it, you would realise that Prof Spellberg's characterization is absurd-- there are no sex scenes portrayed in this book and certainly not with Muhammad. I hope you will read it when it is available in a few weeks and draw conclusions based on that rather than unfounded rumors.

Posted By: Natasha Kern | September 9, 2008 12:35 PM

Anything that puts the Mohammedans on notice that the West does things its own way is a salutary enterprise. And as for "literary mediocrity," if another "very ugly, stupid piece of work," the Koran, could find a publisher, then there's hope for all!

Posted By: GJ Tryon | October 1, 2008 10:19 PM

I have just read the Jewel of Medina and it is an inspiring, well written adventure that brings the early days of the Muslim religion to life. This is my first exposure to the Muslim culture and it is a very positive experience.

Posted By: r4i sdhc | February 25, 2010 6:23 AM