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bookifiction 's review for:
Bird Summons
by Leila Aboulela
“They saw worldliness encroach upon the sacred, the secular triumphing over the religious, how this life became more important than the next.”
When I purchased Bird Summons a couple of weeks ago from London-based Arabic bookstore Al-Saqi, I had no plans to visit Scotland. If I had known at the time that I would shortly be enacting the very story myself, I would have certainly read it then and there. Call it fate or a routine impulse buy—I didn’t choose this book, this book chose me.
Centering on a bold expedition undertaken by three Muslimahs heading up north to the Scottish Highlands to visit the grave of Lady Evelyn Cobbold (Lady Zainab)—the first aristocratic British-born female convert to make Hajj in 1933, Bird Summons introduces us to a world that exists in spectacular dualities. A world that is mundane yet magical. A world that is utterly wretched yet extraordinarily blessed. A world in which good and bad coexist to provide humans with agency and freedom to make their own choices.
A world in which Muslim women are not a monolith.
I have never read a novel that so perfectly encapsulates this delightful reality.
Aboulela presents to us three unique women: Salma, a middle-aged masseuse of Egyptian heritage who married a Scottish convert, feeling somewhat disconnected from her children and husband; Iman, a thrice-divorced Syrian refugee in her twenties whose stunning visage enabled her to marry and flee the war; and Moni a Sudanese woman who gave up her job to dedicate her life to look after her disabled son while her husband is abroad. The three women are part of the Arabic Speaking Muslim Women’s Group, so despite the differences in age and ethnicity, they have both religion and the Arabic language as commonalities.
The journey the three women embarked on was not only a physical endeavor, but also a profoundly spiritual one. Aboulela’s exploration of faith, identity and purpose in the corporeal world, paired with the abstract metamorphosis that is spiritual progression made Bird Summons a heartwarming and enthralling read. I particularly enjoyed the mystical presence of the Hoopoe (‘hud-hud’ in the Qur’an), the bird that is mentioned in the story of Prophet Sulayman (AS) in Surah an-Naml. This was a beautiful addition to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed the wisdom the elegant bird imparted to Iman throughout the journey.
Aboulela’s writing is beautifully descriptive. As I read this on the train to Scotland, occasional glances at the picturesque landscape unfolding before me confirmed what was written on the pages in my hands; the rolling hills and fields were indeed lush and vibrant, and the glittering rocky streams were abundant and breathtaking. The dialogue between the characters also felt very natural and organic, as if reflecting the beauty of the Scottish landscape. I felt a deep admiration for each of the characters and appreciated Aboulela’s efforts in making her characters express their mutual faith through their everyday actions and habits.
Aspects of religion were woven seamlessly into each character’s life. There was never a moment where I felt the mention of ibadah or utterance in Arabic felt artificial or simply incorporated into the narrative to make a point. The struggles the characters had with their faith were incredibly relatable in some ways and wholly abstract in others. For instance, Iman’s yearning to be self-sufficient and to reclaim her identity as a twenty-something year old woman still navigating her identity felt quite personal, especially with societal expectations thrown into the mix. However, I have not experienced war nor the trauma of war or being divorced. Her choice to later renounce the hijab was interesting. I wasn’t sure how to perceive this bar a transient crisis of faith, which is understandable given her life experiences, trauma and ill treatment at the hands of both men and society. Her impassive, detached disposition was largely due to this latter mistreatment. Not sure how removing the hijab helps her situation though if I’m completely honest.
Towards Salma and Moni I felt slightly less of a connection—perhaps because I am neither married nor a mother—however, I could see in them the strength and fortitude of my own mother. The sacrificial, selfless nature that is part and parcel of motherhood were illustrated powerfully in Salma and Moni. However, as Aboulela demonstrates, mothers too have internal conflicts and desires they strive to combat to uphold and protect their families.
The element of magical realism was certainly surprising but definitely not unwelcome. This added an enchanting dimension to the story and I was captivated by the shift in narrative. If you’re not a fan of magical realism, you may not enjoy this, but for me it was wonderful and pivotal to the plot (refer to aforementioned metamorphosis).
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It ticked almost all my boxes when it comes to Muslim representation. The storyline was refreshing and unique, the characters felt personal and the writing was descriptive and eloquent.
“it is travel which lifts up the curtain
hiding people’s characters.”
- Imam Ghazali
4.5/5
When I purchased Bird Summons a couple of weeks ago from London-based Arabic bookstore Al-Saqi, I had no plans to visit Scotland. If I had known at the time that I would shortly be enacting the very story myself, I would have certainly read it then and there. Call it fate or a routine impulse buy—I didn’t choose this book, this book chose me.
Centering on a bold expedition undertaken by three Muslimahs heading up north to the Scottish Highlands to visit the grave of Lady Evelyn Cobbold (Lady Zainab)—the first aristocratic British-born female convert to make Hajj in 1933, Bird Summons introduces us to a world that exists in spectacular dualities. A world that is mundane yet magical. A world that is utterly wretched yet extraordinarily blessed. A world in which good and bad coexist to provide humans with agency and freedom to make their own choices.
A world in which Muslim women are not a monolith.
I have never read a novel that so perfectly encapsulates this delightful reality.
Aboulela presents to us three unique women: Salma, a middle-aged masseuse of Egyptian heritage who married a Scottish convert, feeling somewhat disconnected from her children and husband; Iman, a thrice-divorced Syrian refugee in her twenties whose stunning visage enabled her to marry and flee the war; and Moni a Sudanese woman who gave up her job to dedicate her life to look after her disabled son while her husband is abroad. The three women are part of the Arabic Speaking Muslim Women’s Group, so despite the differences in age and ethnicity, they have both religion and the Arabic language as commonalities.
The journey the three women embarked on was not only a physical endeavor, but also a profoundly spiritual one. Aboulela’s exploration of faith, identity and purpose in the corporeal world, paired with the abstract metamorphosis that is spiritual progression made Bird Summons a heartwarming and enthralling read. I particularly enjoyed the mystical presence of the Hoopoe (‘hud-hud’ in the Qur’an), the bird that is mentioned in the story of Prophet Sulayman (AS) in Surah an-Naml. This was a beautiful addition to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed the wisdom the elegant bird imparted to Iman throughout the journey.
Aboulela’s writing is beautifully descriptive. As I read this on the train to Scotland, occasional glances at the picturesque landscape unfolding before me confirmed what was written on the pages in my hands; the rolling hills and fields were indeed lush and vibrant, and the glittering rocky streams were abundant and breathtaking. The dialogue between the characters also felt very natural and organic, as if reflecting the beauty of the Scottish landscape. I felt a deep admiration for each of the characters and appreciated Aboulela’s efforts in making her characters express their mutual faith through their everyday actions and habits.
Aspects of religion were woven seamlessly into each character’s life. There was never a moment where I felt the mention of ibadah or utterance in Arabic felt artificial or simply incorporated into the narrative to make a point. The struggles the characters had with their faith were incredibly relatable in some ways and wholly abstract in others. For instance, Iman’s yearning to be self-sufficient and to reclaim her identity as a twenty-something year old woman still navigating her identity felt quite personal, especially with societal expectations thrown into the mix. However, I have not experienced war nor the trauma of war or being divorced. Her choice to later renounce the hijab was interesting. I wasn’t sure how to perceive this bar a transient crisis of faith, which is understandable given her life experiences, trauma and ill treatment at the hands of both men and society. Her impassive, detached disposition was largely due to this latter mistreatment. Not sure how removing the hijab helps her situation though if I’m completely honest.
Towards Salma and Moni I felt slightly less of a connection—perhaps because I am neither married nor a mother—however, I could see in them the strength and fortitude of my own mother. The sacrificial, selfless nature that is part and parcel of motherhood were illustrated powerfully in Salma and Moni. However, as Aboulela demonstrates, mothers too have internal conflicts and desires they strive to combat to uphold and protect their families.
The element of magical realism was certainly surprising but definitely not unwelcome. This added an enchanting dimension to the story and I was captivated by the shift in narrative. If you’re not a fan of magical realism, you may not enjoy this, but for me it was wonderful and pivotal to the plot (refer to aforementioned metamorphosis).
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It ticked almost all my boxes when it comes to Muslim representation. The storyline was refreshing and unique, the characters felt personal and the writing was descriptive and eloquent.
“it is travel which lifts up the curtain
hiding people’s characters.”
- Imam Ghazali
4.5/5