Fencing With the King

I really enjoyed this book about the complexities of life in Jordan, homecoming, and family. the characters are beautifully drawn and imbued with reality, and the gentle teasing out of family history is elegant but believable. Through the use of a large cast, the author makes it possible to share information about things like gender, parenting, work, and behavior in ways that aren't condescending to readers. I'd love to read this with a group of really smart people, or teach it to a class. (Fencers considering reading this: Even most of the fencing terminology is right!)

Fencing with the King is a compelling and dynamic story with many threads of plot. The inter-generational conflict and family struggles bring to mind the "thicket of family." In several ways, the story is that of Amani, a young woman who is Jordanian American who lives in New York and is traveling with her family to Jordan to attend a celebration for her uncle, the king. Her father, Gabe, will be fencing with the king in order to demonstrate the skills of both men in the fencing ring although of course the king, as planned, is ultimately the victor.

The story is enriched with family characters, some of whom are dishonest and unlikable and others who are sweet and need support. The one who stands out is an ascetic who appears to have been isolated in a cave most of his life in the mountains because he struggles with disabilities and communication. A remarkable scene in the book has Amani dangerously looking for him in the desert in a sand storm. Ultimately she finds him and their friendship is cemented by their fondness for and recognition of each other.

This lovely book has everything: mystery, familial relationships and schisms, cultural depth, personal struggles, and ancestry. I haven't read other books by Abu-Jabar, but I most certainly will. The book was difficult to put down, and it skillfully wove many aspects of family strife and affection to a deeply satisfying ending.

This deliberately paced, sensuously written novel is the story of a lost woman regaining her self. It's the story of a poet finding her voice. And it's the story of a "true Jordanian" family, in the sense that this family represents many facets of Jordan, those on display as well as those buried in the past. The book starts slowly, unfolding to reveal a twist worth the wait. Jordan, circa 1995, is depicted with such love. We feel that love through Abu-Jaber's ability to immerse us in its culture and landscapes. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes their historical fiction infused with poetry, family dynamics, political machinations, romance, and the grace, intrigue, and sport of fencing.

[Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book.]

This is a marvelous book. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end. It is a majestic story of a girl named Amani, a poet, who travels to Jordan in search of an answer to a mysterious mail from her late grandmother, Natalia. While In Jordan she meets some of her bemused relatives, explores the wonders of Jordan, and in turn she learns of the wonders, legends, and secrets of her family. This is a story of family myths, refugees, belonging, heritage, and ultimately the quest for love in all its forms. I give this book a rating of 5. Diana Abu-Jaber has always been a favorite author of mine, and this book kept me intrigued just like her other books.

Special thanks to W.W Norton Company and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.