The Golden Age of Moorish Spain was during the 10th century, a time when the benevolent Arab Caliphs ruled Iberia from Córdoba, the site of the iconic Great Mosque and home to the Royal Library, one of the largest collections of ancient books ever assembled. 10th century Córdoba was the richest, most populous, and most cultured city in the western world. Under the tolerant Muslim Caliphs, the pinnacle of convivencia was attained, that unique period of Spanish history when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together in relative harmony and peace. Multicultural Córdoba was an enlightened city that treasured its books, celebrated art and literature, advanced science and medicine, and its myriad accomplishments were envied by both the west and the east alike.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"An inspiring and deeply moving novel on both the nature of love and the many beautiful possibilities brought to life when religions learn to coexist."
--Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
"A mesmerizing love story ... filled with vivid historical descriptions of treachery and strategies in politics, religion, power, and love during the Golden Age of Moorish Spain."
--Valerie Jackson, In Conversation (Between the Lines), National Public Radio
"This is the second novel in Cressler's Anthems of al-Andalus Series, where the legacy of the Arab/Islamic civilization in medieval Spain, with its refinements, its enduring tolerance, and its esthetic dynamism is celebrated. A novel about love, political strife, and cultural conflicts, it is written in a rich and shimmering style carrying an implicit message on the value of recognizing the achievements of the "other," and asserting the fact that there is no fixed center for human creativity and progress."
--Salma Khadra Jayyusi, poet, writer, and literary historian.
"Cressler brilliantly weaves together fact and fiction, passion and intrigue, the throws of love, and the violence of war. With great attention to detail, he artfully unfolds the drama of a young and forbidden love, exquisitely keeping us rapt in the story, wondering in each moment, what will happen next?"
--Rabbi Rachael M. Bregman, Temple Beth Tefilloh
"Another tour de force! Cressler submerges us in a luxurious narrative evoking the loves, lives, intrigue, and history of 10th century Córdoba, a time of religious and political amity among Muslims, Jews, and Christians. We rejoice in the many triumphs of al-Andalus, yet despair at lessons not yet learned about how human beings may live and love together. Shadows in the Shining City is a lovely, moving, and inspiring story of how it might have been. We believe!"
--Professor Susan Abraham, Loyola Marymount University
Shadows in the Shining City is a prequel to Emeralds of the Alhambra, and the second book in the Anthems of al-Andalus Series. Shadows tells the story of the forbidden love between Rayhana Abi Amir, a Muslim princess of the Royal Court, and Zafir Saffar, a freed slave. Young love blossoms in 10th century Madinat al-Zahra, the Shining City, the Caliph’s magnificent Royal Palace located just outside of Córdoba. Their love story is set against the backdrop of the epic rise to power of Rayhana’s ruthless father, a man history will come to both celebrate and revile for the role he plays in the collapse of Moorish Spain.
I really enjoyed this book. Crestless second novel is even better than "Emeralds of the Alhambra." The author tells a compelling story that keeps you hooked on the book until you can't put it down. I especially liked the full bodied characters. The central character Ibn Ami Amir is a remarkable literary creation (based on historical fact), As with his other book, this is a great learning experience about the time and place the author is a good teacher and I learned a lot by just reading the two books I have by him.The author is so good at writing detailI highly recommend Shadows in the Shining City. Believe me, you will not be disappointed that you can easily picture it in your mind's eye, even if you have never visited Spain. And the stories are wonderful. The parallels to our own troubled times are unmistakable. Put this novel on your ""can't miss or put down" list!
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