I recently read Djamila Morani’s novel, The Djinn’s Apple, published by Neem Tree Press, which reminded me of my childhood. We have all heard about Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid Caliph who ruled from 786 to 809 and is associated with the famous stories of the 1001 Nights. For many of us, he was a part of our childhood as we grew up reading 1001 Nights, a mediaeval Middle Eastern literary epic that tells the story of Scheherazade.
This novel is a reminiscence of a shared cultural heritage replete with political intrigue, ethnic diversity, and educational curiosity. It is a crash course to re-introduce and mainstream an era embellished with unprecedented educational advancements and scientific curiosity to new generations that are far from this legacy.
The author of the book, Djamila Morani, is an Arabic-speaking Algerian novelist and a professor of Arabic language and literature. This is not her first novel; previously, she wrote a fast-paced historical novel Taj el-Khatiaa set in the Abbasid period, but in Kazakhstan.
Djamila lives in Relizane, in the west of Algeria and writes in Arabic. The Djinn’s Apple was originally published in Arabic. Thanks to the talented Arabic to English translator Sawad Hussain we can now read Djamila Morani’s jaw-dropping thriller in English.
Embark on an inspiring journey with us as we discover the author Djamila Morani’s motivation and creative process that led to the birth of the Djinn’s Apple.
- What inspired you to write The Djinn’s Apple?
Generally, I write for teenagers in order to inspire them and revive their interest in Islamic history – to make them proud of this history. Researching the incident between Al-Baramika and Harun Al-Rashid prompted me to think about the younger generation in this family, who had no hand in politics. How were they affected? In the story, I explore how it might have been possible for someone like Nardeen to make her way again in society after the Baramikas became outcasts. I see her as a good example for today’s youth in facing society’s challenges.
- How have Algerian novels, history and culture influenced your work?
I have a great passion for history. I find it fun and full of puzzles and stories. I like to take a small detail from a major historical incident and make it grow and branch out into a powerful story. It’s like pulling a magic string: events fall into place. This is what I did in my other novel, Me and the Seven Old Women, whose story was based on an old Berber folk song and Algerian stories and legends. By focusing on the details, Me and the Seven Old Women became a unique and distinctive story with an Algerian flavour.
- Can you share more about the historical context of the novel and why you chose that particular era?
The Djinn’s Apple is set in the Abbasid era, an era that is always a source of pride for Muslims. It was a golden age for science and languages, and Harun al-Rashid is considered the leader of this development. His period of rule was known for unprecedented ethnic diversity, competition among scholars, and a strong translation movement.
- Nardeen’s character is quite complex. How did you approach her development throughout the story?
Nardeen is a rebellious and independent personality. I may have created her as a character, but she developed on her own as she interacted with the events of the story. I believe that Nardeen is a free person who chose and defined her own path; I was not the one who chose for her.
- The struggle of obscurantism and the theme of education, especially for women, is prominent in your work. Tell us your inspiration about it, is it deliberate?
There is a stereotypical image of women within the Arabic novel, who care more about their bodies and emotions than their minds. To counter this, I write about women who face challenges and overcome them with patience and intelligence.
You can find Djamila on @DjamilaMorani and @morani_djamila
