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La Mano Di Fatima (2009)

by Ildefonso Falcones(Favorite Author)

3.78 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

8830427225 (ISBN13: 9788830427228)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Longanesi

review 1: The Hand of Fatima is a great summer read if you like historical novels and do not mind reading close to 1,000 pages. We follow the unique destiny of a young Moor in 16th century Christian-dominated Spain, getting immersed into the local beliefs and religious, cultural and social conflicts of the time, not only between Christians and Muslims, but also among each of these groups. The historical context is described in depth and with many actual historical references, the author even being a bit too didactic at times.I especially enjoyed the first and last parts of the book, which has a solid plot and interesting twists. I found the "middle part" of the book less captivating as I felt it harder to sympathise with the main character, Hernando, when he starts acting against hi... mores own beliefs (committing adultery with the wife of a Christian noble), without even acknowledging it. Some important transition events in the middle of the book are a bit abrupt and could maybe have been better developed, such as the change in Hernando's objectives (from armed conflict to a reconciliation tactics) and Brahim's death (which could have been described in an emotionally intense scene, but is instead summarised very briefly).That said, I did not distance myself too long from the main characters and I thought the end of the book was well managed, I believe this book could be turned into a great movie!
review 2: ISBN? – 9780552776462Publishing - 2011 by Black Swan (first published 2009)Genre? - Historical / Drama / RomanceCharacters? - Hernando / Fatima / Aisha / Brahim / HamidSetting? - Granada (Spain)Series? - N/ATitle? - Fatima is the object of the main characters affections, and he is determined to win her.Character Analysis? - Too many characters introduced too quickly in my opinion - a list to help sort them out and for reference would have been better. I did like Hernando, but Fatima came across as a foreign object rather than someone 3D and touchable.General Comments? - Too many places; a map would have been helpful in parts. Interesting, but too long with not enough story to keep it going through 900-odd pages. Description, however, was excellent, and you really felt like you could picture the surrounds.Recommend? - Maybe less

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