Good Reads / Community Library Notes
A Caravan of Brides
Kay Hardy Campbell
Review by Priscilla Comen
A Caravan of Brides
Kay Hardy Campbell
Review by Priscilla Comen
A Caravan of Brides, by Kay Hardy Campbell, is the story of Fawzia who lives in Jeddah with her extended family. In January of 1979 she is painting at her easel in the courtyard when she spies two older women leading a small band of goats. Fascinated by them, she watches for a long while then sketches them on her paper. She is lost in thought and late for dinner. These are the “oil boom” years. Her aunt, Rosita, gives big parties and races fast cars in the desert. Author Campbell describes the characters and the culture of the times. Fawzia and her family are invited to a lavish party so that Fawzia’s older sister may meet a suitable bachelor. Her family is well-educated and doesn’t believe that cousins should marry. We are shown the clothes, the jewelry, the foods, and the guests in detail.
Fawzia sees the old woman shepherd at the party. In reality, she a princess and famous for her storytelling. We learn about Fawzia’s love for Hisham, illicit because he is a Shia. They can never hope to marry. They meet secretly, although it is dangerous for her and all women at this time in Saudi Arabia. If found out, she would be harshly punished. Her sister, Ibtisam, makes her promise to stop seeing him. Ibtisam only wants to study religion, but her mother has picked out a man for her to marry. This is an educated, upper class family, but the old traditions remain strong.
When the family goes to Mecca to celebrate the coming new year and to pray, a terrible thing happens: rebels take over the temple and shoot the worshippers. Tarek, Fawzia's brother, is shot in the shoulder and Ibtisam is taken as a hostage. The rebels want to overthrow the royal family that rules Saudi Arabia. When Ibtisam’s body is returned to the family, author Campbell shows everyone's grief and pain. Fawzia goes to visit the shepherdess, Salma, in her country home. She is transported to a different world, one of natural plants, flowing water, and women in charge. In the evenings, Salma tells the story of her life and of her friend/servant, Mabrukah, who has been with her all her life.
Author Campbell moves the story forward in tales of the old woman and the story of how she, too, fell in love with a man she couldn’t marry. At one time, Salma and Mabrukah were forced to flee their homes. They dressed in men’s clothing and crossed the desert, surviving many hardships. Does Salma make it to her uncle’s house and safety? What happens to the ten Armenian girls they met along the way who traveled with them? Find this interesting novel on the new fiction shelf of your Mendocino Community Library.
Fawzia sees the old woman shepherd at the party. In reality, she a princess and famous for her storytelling. We learn about Fawzia’s love for Hisham, illicit because he is a Shia. They can never hope to marry. They meet secretly, although it is dangerous for her and all women at this time in Saudi Arabia. If found out, she would be harshly punished. Her sister, Ibtisam, makes her promise to stop seeing him. Ibtisam only wants to study religion, but her mother has picked out a man for her to marry. This is an educated, upper class family, but the old traditions remain strong.
When the family goes to Mecca to celebrate the coming new year and to pray, a terrible thing happens: rebels take over the temple and shoot the worshippers. Tarek, Fawzia's brother, is shot in the shoulder and Ibtisam is taken as a hostage. The rebels want to overthrow the royal family that rules Saudi Arabia. When Ibtisam’s body is returned to the family, author Campbell shows everyone's grief and pain. Fawzia goes to visit the shepherdess, Salma, in her country home. She is transported to a different world, one of natural plants, flowing water, and women in charge. In the evenings, Salma tells the story of her life and of her friend/servant, Mabrukah, who has been with her all her life.
Author Campbell moves the story forward in tales of the old woman and the story of how she, too, fell in love with a man she couldn’t marry. At one time, Salma and Mabrukah were forced to flee their homes. They dressed in men’s clothing and crossed the desert, surviving many hardships. Does Salma make it to her uncle’s house and safety? What happens to the ten Armenian girls they met along the way who traveled with them? Find this interesting novel on the new fiction shelf of your Mendocino Community Library.