A Caravan of Brides

Book excerpt: After attending college in Lebanon, Fawzia returns home to Jeddah and takes up secretly with her forbidden college sweetheart. When her reckless behavior leads to family tragedy, she is drawn into an unlikely friendship with a mysterious old storyteller, the niece of a legendary Bedouin chief. Narrated by Fawzia and the storyteller Salma, A Caravan of Brides celebrates the dangerous melody that love sings in each generation, as it brings the world of Saudi women, past and present, into focus with a tender touch. Travel with a host of memorable characters across Arabia, from the ancient cities of Jeddah and Mecca, to a peaceful mountain family, forbidding northern deserts, and a storied oasis town once known for tolerance and open-mindedness.