The Night Will Have Its Say

The Night Will Have Its Say is a novel by Ibrahim al-Koni that retells the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa during the seventh century CE. It is a brilliant retelling of the wars, narrated from the perspective of the conquered peoples. The novel addresses themes such as the futility of war, the privilege of an elite few, the destruction of natural habitats and indigenous cultures, and questions about literal and fundamentalist interpretations of religious texts. Al-Koni's account of conquest and resistance is both timeless and timely, infused with a sense of disaster and exile.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2022
Publisher: American University in Cairo Press

The year is 693, and a tense exchange takes place between Berber warrior queen al-Kahina and an emissary from the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man. Her predecessor had been captured and killed by the Umayyad forces some years earlier, but she will go on to defeat them.

The Night Will Have Its Say is a retelling of the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa during the seventh century CE, narrated from the perspective of the conquered peoples. Written in Ibrahim al-Koni's unique and enchanting voice, his lyrical and deeply poetic prose speaks to themes that are intensely timely. Through the wars and conflicts of this distant, turbulent era, he addresses the futility of war, the privilege of an elite few at the expense of the many, the destruction of natural habitats and indigenous cultures, and questions about literal and fundamentalist interpretations of religious texts.

Al-Koni's masterly account of conquest and resistance is both timeless and timely, infused with a sense of disaster and exile—from language, the desert, and homeland.

The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the conquest. The first part, "The Conquest," tells the story of the Umayyad invasion of North Africa and the subsequent battles between the Berbers and the Arab forces. The second part, "The Resistance," explores the various forms of resistance that the Berbers took against the invaders, including guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and political intrigue. The third part, "The Aftermath," examines the consequences of the conquest for the Berbers and the Arab world.

One of the most striking features of The Night Will Have Its Say is al-Koni's use of language. He employs a rich and evocative vocabulary that captures the beauty and brutality of the desert and the struggles of the Berbers. His prose is also deeply poetic, with lines that are both haunting and beautiful.

Another notable aspect of the book is its exploration of themes related to power, privilege, and identity. Al-Koni questions the notion of a unified Arab identity and explores the ways in which the conquest disrupted and reshaped the Berber communities. He also examines the role of religion in the conquest, particularly the ways in which the Arab forces used religious texts to justify their actions.

The Night Will Have Its Say is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a fresh perspective on the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, literature, and the complexities of the Arab world.

In conclusion, The Night Will Have Its Say is a brilliant retelling of the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa during the seventh century CE. Written in Ibrahim al-Koni's unique and enchanting voice, his lyrical and deeply poetic prose speaks to themes that are intensely timely. Through the wars and conflicts of this distant, turbulent era, he addresses the futility of war, the privilege of an elite few at the expense of the many, the destruction of natural habitats and indigenous cultures, and questions about literal and fundamentalist interpretations of religious texts. Al-Koni's masterly account of conquest and resistance is both timeless and timely, infused with a sense of disaster and exile—from language, the desert, and homeland. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the conquest. The first part, "The Conquest," tells the story of the Umayyad invasion of North Africa and the subsequent battles between the Berbers and the Arab forces. The second part, "The Resistance," explores the various forms of resistance that the Berbers took against the invaders, including guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and political intrigue. The third part, "The Aftermath," examines the consequences of the conquest for the Berbers and the Arab world. One of the most striking features of The Night Will Have Its Say is al-Koni's use of language. He employs a rich and evocative vocabulary that captures the beauty and brutality of the desert and the struggles of the Berbers. His prose is also deeply poetic, with lines that are both haunting and beautiful. Another notable aspect of the book is its exploration of themes related to power, privilege, and identity. Al-Koni questions the notion of a unified Arab identity and explores the ways in which the conquest disrupted and reshaped the Berber communities. He also examines the role of religion in the conquest, particularly the ways in which the Arab forces used religious texts to justify their actions. The Night Will Have Its Say is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a fresh perspective on the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, literature, and the complexities of the Arab world.

ISBN-13: 9781649031983