The Djinn's Apple
Iraq

The Djinn's Apple

by Djamila Morani

Summary

In the golden age of Baghdad, a young girl must transform her grief into the strength to uncover a deadly secret.

Twelve-year-old Nardeen Baramika dreams of becoming a doctor, an extraordinary ambition for a girl living in the Abbasid Caliphate. But when armed men storm her family home, she escapes while the rest of her family are murdered. Suddenly alone, Nardeen discovers that their deaths may be connected to a mysterious manuscript—and a powerful man determined to keep its secrets hidden.

Taken under the protection of a respected medical scholar, Nardeen begins studying medicine while secretly pursuing justice for her family. As she navigates a world of political intrigue, dangerous alliances, and shifting loyalties, she must decide whom she can trust and how far she is willing to go for revenge.

Blending historical mystery with the atmosphere of medieval Baghdad, The Djinn’s Apple follows a determined young heroine who refuses to let tragedy dictate her future. It explores knowledge, ambition, and the courage required to challenge the expectations imposed on women. Originally written in Arabic, the novel was translated into English by Sawad Hussain.

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Djamila Morani
Djamila Morani

Djamila Morani is an Algerian novelist and professor of Arabic language and literature. She lives in Relizane, western Algeria, and writes fast-paced historical fiction, often set during the Abbasid period, when Baghdad was a major centre of scholarship, medicine, and culture. Her novel The Djinn’s Apple was originally published in Arabic in 2017 and later translated into English by award-winning translator Sawad Hussain. The English edition was published in 2024 by Neem Tree Press and received recognition for its compelling blend of historical fiction and crime mystery. Morani’s fiction frequently features resourceful protagonists who challenge social expectations and pursue their ambitions in worlds shaped by political power and cultural traditions.

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Published
2017
Author
Djamila Morani