Nominated for the prestigious Prix Goncourt
“With the grace of tales, The Silence of Muhammad draws a subtle portrait of the prophet of Islam as seen by those closest to him. Magnificient” Le Nouvel Observateur
“Salim Bachi’s language gives us the sense of ancient tales, the perfume of great Arabic poetry and classic chronicles” Le Nouvel Observateur
“a beautiful account where tradition and critique entertwine” L’Express
ABOUT THE BOOK
Before becoming the prophet of Islam, Muhammad was a simple man of flesh and blood who started life as a poor orphan in the Arabian city of Mecca. Through his union with Khadija, he became a prosperous merchant and caravaneer. He was visited by God at the age of forty to become a prophet and visionary statesman. The Silence of Muhammad is the story of “this exceptional man” (Bachi).
Based on historical fact and legends, the novel presents a fictionalised account of the life of Muhammad told by four key characters: his first wife, Khadija; his closest friend, Caliph Abu Bakr; the fiery warrior, General Khalid; and his last love Aisha, who became his wife at the age of nine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
According to Salim Bachi it is necessary for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to form their own opinion of the Prophet Muhammad rather than rely on specialists or agitators. As Bachi says:
“ I did not make it up, I tried to better understand him through texts, but I thought that a novel would bring a softer light to the character of Muhammad”. The idea is to cross boundaries and to share an understanding of who Muhammad really was, without the scientific or political input that most texts use.
Salim Bachi was born in Algeria in 1971. He studied literature in both Algeria and France. His first book Le Chien d’Ulysse was published in French in 2001, followed by La Kahena, Autoportrait avec Grenade and Tuez les tous. His most recent book, Le Silence de Mahomet was published in 2008 by Flammarion.
The author left Algeria in 1995 and has not returned since. He now lives and works in France. His books cannot be found in his native country, where they are refused for distribution, and as far as is known none have been published in Arabic.
Translated by Sue Rose
ISBN 9781906548247
