Not an easy book to read but worth reading it because you will learn alot about this tragic historical event. The characters and the plot are so alive that you will really hate or care for them. Because this book is about a dark spot in history you will not find much joy and happiness or rainbows through the pages but that makes the book to show the reality of that time - I wanted to stop reading a few times because of the frustration that some events or characters gave me but i am glad that I read it to the end. This book was way way wayy too long, and I'm usually not a person to say that. It could have done with a good bit of editing and cutting down, but, oh well.However, it is a brilliant portrayal of historical Spain,and of the wars and conflicts between the Moors and Christians. One of the parts I liked best about how Falcones wrote this was that he didn't have a 'good guy' and 'bad guy' in terms of the conflicting factions. The Morisco Moors were every bit as bloodthirsty and 'bad' as the Christian conquerors when it came to war. People did bad things 'for the greater good', and it's full of deceit and treachery. (though very very slow-moving. you had to finish atleast half of the book for it to pick up pace).From being the abused and unwanted son thanks to his Muslim mother being raped by a Christian priest, Hernando/Hamid/ the Nazarene, the main protagonist of this story- slowly builds his way upwards in life fighting every against obstacles every step of the way. I suppose it IS depressing that he -and the other Moriscos- were always tormented by things and edicts they couldnt prevent or help, but such circumstances just made the story more realistic.
What do You think about Fatimas Hand (2009)?
Nice, interesting, but a bit too long. But learned some new things about Spanish history.
—Mandyt108
This novel is a pot-boiler, full of action and mahem, but it is entertaining.
—CandyDanielle_Camargo
