The Shadows of Ghadames by Joelle Stolz

Bibliography
Stolz, Joëlle. 2004. The Shadows of Ghadames. Translated by Catherine Temerson. New York: Delacorte.

ISBN: 0-385-90131-3

Plot Summary
This story is set in Libya, at the end of the nineteenth century, where women and men are segregated. The woman’s lives exist among the rooftops, where their gardens are painted and they gather for market at each other’s homes. The men interact with each other at the street level, traveling about the city or even venturing outside the walls of the city. Malika, a girl nearing the age of twelve, accepts and enjoys the role of women in her society, while at the same time questions the limitations expected of her as she enters adulthood. While Malika’s father is away, her father’s second wife, Bilkisu rescues an injured man. Malika’s mother, Meriem and Bilkisu, help this man recuperate, knowing their actions could have detrimental effects for them. During his recuperation, Malika gains a richer understanding in the way of her people.

Critical Analysis
The story The Shadows of Ghadames is eloquently written and the main character is well-developed. The main character, Malika, is a girl in transition from youth to womanhood, and struggling with the role she will have to take as a woman as forced on her by her culture.

The Shadows of Ghadames is full of cultural markers that assists the reader in understanding the way of life in Ghadames in the nineteenth century. (Although, the reader does not know the story is set in the late nineteenth century until the end of the story when the author's note is presented.) The entire story is an explanation of one girl's journey into womanhood, which was typical during this time period.

At the beginning of the story, Stolz explains Malika's father has two wives and each has born one child. They all live together in one house with a servant. All main characters are Muslim and practice the traditions of the Islamic faith. The names of the characters, Malika, Bilkisu, Meriem, Jasim, Abdelkarim are all names found in middle eastern countries.

Stolz describes the characters in traditional clothing for Muslim countries. For example, father wears a burnoose, Jasim is dressed in a djellabe, and the women are all veiled.

The reader begins to notice specific culture identification very early in the story. For example, the women/girls and men/boys live separate lives, and have different privileges. Malika's mother does not allow Malika to go to the city edge to see her father off on his travels, but Jasim, her brother is allowed to go. Malika desires to learn how to read and write like her brother, but it is only customary for males to learn. Malika experiences different events from her brother. Her brother is sent to the uncle's home, while father is gone. Malika and the women stay on the rooftops where the women are allowed. While father is away, a lamp is lit near the doorway to express to any visitors, the man is away.

Stolz accurately describes food in the story. In one scene, Meriem stores the wheat and barley that will be needed for meals during fathers absence. It is in their custom to only take what is needed while the men are gone. Once the men have returned celebrations and feasts can occur.

Additionally, the celebrations in the story are accurate for the Muslim way of life. Malika attends a ceremony where jinns are summoned. Spirits are known as jinns in this area. Also, a wedding ceremony is called an arous ceremony. A bride is an arous in middle eastern countries.

Stolz does a wonderful job of portraying the Muslim way of life in her story, The Shadows of Ghadames, even though the way of life is from the nineteenth century. This story provides a glimpse into the past and provides interesting background knowledge to better understand the current culture in the Middle East.

Review Excerpts
Booklist reports, “The vivid backdrop is intoxicating, but the story's universal concerns will touch readers most: sibling jealously, confusion about adult customs, and a growing interest in a world beyond family.”

Horn Book comments, “In this novel translated from the French, the wealth of cultural detail is sometimes distracting, and the author is too obvious in her selection of a gift for Malika from her father: a telescope, to see beyond. But then Stolz's whole story, which is steeped in the syncretic Islam of Ghadames, revolves around changing visions of people and places.”

Reviews accessed through Follett’s Titlewave site: http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID=60b11f0b2c36faef18be75cd47420e72

Connections
The Shadows of Ghadames would be useful book for young adults and adults to learn about the ways of life of the Islamic people during the late nineteenth century. The time period of this book provides insight concerning the segregation of men and women in this society, the ways of life of each gender, and how they existed together, yet separately. The Shadows of Ghadames would be a good tool to develop discussions about the changes in the past 100 years in the Islamic faith in the area of Ghadames.

Other stories with Muslims characters:

A Stone in My Hand by Cathryn Clinton

My Name was Hussein by Hristo Kyuchukov