This "surreal, meditative take on a murder mystery” (The Guardian, Best Books of Summer) is the winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction. When a woman's body is found in the alley of Abu Al Roos, Detective Nasser is thrust into a labyrinthine investigation that unveils the hidden life of this ancient city.
Nasser initially suspects that the dead woman is Aisha, one of the residents of the area, and searches her emails for clues. The world she paints embraces everything from crime and religious extremism to the exploitation of foreign workers by a mafia of building contractors, who are destroying the historic areas of the city. Another view reveals the city through the eyes of Yusuf, Aisha's neighbor, increasingly frustrated by the accelerating pace of change.
As Nasser delves deeper, the streets of Mecca come alive, narrating tales of tradition, transformation, and the tension between old and new. Alem's evocative prose paints a vivid portrait of a city at the crossroads of history and modernity, where every corner holds a secret and every character has a story to tell.
This novel is a brilliant blend of mystery, cultural commentary, and poetic storytelling, offering readers a unique glimpse into the soul of Mecca. Perfect for fans of literary fiction and those intrigued by the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern culture.
"When a dead woman is discovered in Abu Al Roos, one of Mecca's many alleys, no one will claim the body because they are ashamed by her nakedness. As we follow Detective Nassir's investigation of the case, the secret life of the holy city of Mecca is revealed. Tackling powerful issues with beautiful and evocative writing, Raja Alem reveals a city--and a civilization--at once beholden to brutal customs, and reckoning (uneasily) with new traditions. Told from a variety of perspectives--including that of Abu Al Roos itself--The Dove's Necklace is a virtuosic work of literature, and an ambitious portrait of a changing city that deserves our attention"--
