Sultan In Palermo Pa

The fourth novel in Tariq Ali's 'Islam Quintet' charts the life and loves of the medieval cartographer Muhammed al-Idrisi. Torn between his close friendship with the sultan and his friends who are leaving the island or plotting a resistance to Norman rule, Idrisi finds temporary solace in the harem; but his conscience is troubled...A Sultan in Palermo is a mythic novel in which pride, greed, and lust intermingle with resistance and greatness. It echoes a past that can still be heard today.Praise for the Islam Quintet:"A richly woven tapestry that even before its completion meritscomparison with Naguib Mahfouz's Cairo trilogy." Kirkus Reviews

Tariq Ali is a writer and filmmaker. He has written more than a dozen books on world history and politics—including Pirates of the Caribbean, Bush in Babylon, The Clash of Fundamentalisms and The Obama Syndrome—as well as five novels in his Islam Quintet series and scripts for the stage and screen. He is an editor of the New Left Review and lives in London.

Glossary

vii

SIQILLIYA 1153--4

Idrisi's reflections on beginnings and chance encounters. His first meeting with Rujari

3

(20)

Family life and domestic idiocies. Idrisi foils a plan by his daughters to trap and betray their husbands, but is determined to educate his grandsons

23

(15)

Siqilliyan whispers. The Sultan in the palace informs Idrisi of the fate awaiting Philip al-Mahdia. Idrisi's encounter with Mayya and Elinore makes him forget all else

38

(16)

The mehfil at the Ayn al-Shifa mosque in Palermo. Philip is convinced that the Barons and Bishops are plotting a massacre or possibly two

54

(15)

The Amir of Siracusa organises a dinner at which there is open talk of rebellion

69

(14)

Love and a secret marriage in Siracusa. The poetry of Ibn Quzman. Elinore asks many questions, while Balkis listens

83

(14)

Idrisi is overpowered by memories of an enchanted island. A first meeting with the Trusted One, who preaches open rebellion against Palermo

97

(16)

Siqilliyan sisters. Mayya and Balkis discuss the merits of life with and without men. Secrets are revealed. A plan is agreed to extract Idrisi's seed

113

(8)

Idrisi reflects on rebellion and is surprised in his sleep. His seed is extracted more than once

121

(26)

A twenty-six-year-old conversation on theology in which Rujari and Idrisi compare the merits and demerits of their respective religions

147

(5)

The trial of Philip. The Amir of Catania farts loudly during the prosecutor's speech

152

(10)

Idrisi's love for Balkis and its consequences

162

(13)

The Trusted One frees a village and gives battle to the Lombard barbarians. The sweet scent of victory. Life and fate

175

(13)

A dual pregnancy and Idrisi discovers and unusual cure for coughs and colds

188

(8)

The death of Rujari. Idrisi is a father again and twice. Dreaming of Siracusa

196

(15)

Spring in Siracusa. Good and bad poetry. Fathers and sons

211

(18)

Massacre in Palermo. Idrisi decides never to visit the city again. He leaves for Baghdad

229

(14)

LUCERA 1250--1300

Epilogue

243

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials