In her adventurous new novel, New York Times Notable author Leila
Aboulela delivers a lively portrait of three women who embark on a
journey of self-discovery while grappling with the conflicting demands
of family, duty, and faith.
When Salma, Moni, and Iman--friends and active members of their local
Muslim Women's group--decide to take a road trip together to the
Scottish Highlands, they leave behind lives often dominated by
obligation, frustrated desire, and dull predictability. Each wants
something more out of life, but fears the cost of taking it. Salma is
successful and happily married, but tempted to risk it all when she's
contacted by her first love back in Egypt; Moni gave up a career in
banking to care for her disabled son without the help of her indifferent
husband; and Iman, in her twenties and already on her third marriage,
longs for the freedom and autonomy she's never known. When the women are
visited by the Hoopoe, a sacred bird from Muslim and Celtic literature,
they are compelled to question their relationships to faith and
femininity, love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Brilliantly imagined, thoughtful and wise, Bird Summons confirms Leila
Aboulela's reputation as one of our finest contemporary writers.
