“A subtly musical voice, untrammeled storytelling, beyond the beaten paths of folklore and picturesque charm that we associate with Arab literature or, to be more exact, what we imagine to be Arab literature, and at the same time, with a stroke of genius–and this is the most delightful and important thing–that knows how to pay tribute to those same beaten paths by following them all the way to their source, deepening and adding perspective to a millennial Arab culture.” –Ersi Sotiropoulos
“Mansoura Ez-Eldin’s novel has the brilliance and mystery of a marvelous gem.” –Damien Aubel, Transfuge
“In this captivating and remarkably translated novel, Mansoura Ez-Eldin invites us to a round trip in time and space, between Cairo and Basra in Iraq, to meet timeless characters in a story which subtly mixes fiction and historical reality.” –Nadia Leila Aissaoui, L’Orient le Jour
“A polyphonic story where she brilliantly combines the codes of ancient Arabic writing and those of the contemporary novel … [A] labyrinthine narration where we get lost, like in the alleys of an Arab medina, with delight.” –Richard Jacquemond, Le Monde des Livres
“An exalted novel that sublimates the powers of dreams and fiction.” –Marjorie Bertin, Le Courrier de L’Atlas
“To be discovered without delay.” —Via Books
“Her superbly mastered novel is a confirmation of her talent as a storyteller.” –Mare Nostrum