Description
Nations do not rise without elite thinkers. The thinker in this novel is embodied by the character of Nour, a voracious reader, ambitious, dreamy, patriotic, wise, and cultured girl, who, by chance, meets the prince of the Emirate of Thamar. Impressed by her personality, intellect, and wisdom, he decides to appoint her as an advisor in his palace. The prince resembles King Dabshalim, and Nour resembles the philosopher Bidpai in the book Kalila and Dimna. From the moment she is appointed to the palace, the events of the novel develop and escalate, as Nour deliberately conveys to Prince Nur al-Din her concerns and those of her subjects, as well as her vision for elevating the nation to glory. She also stands up to those who plot to tamper with the security of the emirate and those who seek to ignite sedition in order to combat the corruption ravaging the emirate. The woman in this novel is a woman of free thought and free will, educated and firmly committed to her nation, wise and of sound mind, far removed from the stereotypical image that Eastern society has framed her in.
