A few months ago, I saw a fine line written by our beloved Mualana Rumi, Instantly Captured, i rubbed of my shoulders all the poets I have ever heard of, and embraced rumi. Each night that i would read rumi to my friend, to show how beauty CAN be written in a way, unthought of, I was amazed and dumbfounded at how little the west recognises him.
At school, being in England, Shakspeare, Hardy were taught, I even began to lose credit for them, all were over credited for their work when in comparison to a mystifier of words: Rumi.

In one of his book, there is a introduction, which consists of his life's events. One is of his encounter with Shams ( meaning Sun in persian ). The story goes, while sitting on his mule, surrounded by his students, followers, confidants, Rumi was challenged by this strange Shams. Shams asked rumi one question, just one! On answering it, he become over himself with an air which left him unconscious.
Later, Rumi and Shams spent weeks alone, in solitude, eating little but talking and talking, meditating and once they came out, the entire town of Konya was in despair of losing their Rumi: the teacher, the leader , just Rumi was no more.
Much of this caused Shams to leave Konya, he continued with his journey of the empire. Shams was gone, and as a child loses his mother, Rumi was in grief.

Leaving home, rumi followed him, tried to find every path he crossed in hope of finding this sham again. The only one, who had been able to reach in to his him. Lonely, hopless, rumi lost everything of reality. Returning home, he wasnt the same, his search continued.

The End.

Now Rumi's Daughter, written by Mauriel Maufory who is currently a student at SOAS (london) is about kamya, a small 11 year old girl, who raised in a small village encounters things bigger then herself. Her spiritual drama, of day to day leaves her parents confused. The times are of worry, its the 12th century and in the midst of Turkmen and Byzzantine wars, christianity and Islam are fusing.

As a Result of the unexplained and uknown magic within Kimya, her parents send her away to Konay, a town of Large blue minarets and markets. Here Kimay is adopted by Rumi, and as a result becomes not only his daughter but his student. Being of a young age, she sees him as a father, and friend. One whos eyes were always lost in passion. We see how Kimya, tried to quench her thirst, which resembles that of Rumi and Shams. Both of whom are impressed with Kimyas difference.

The life of Kimya than traces around that of the story of Rumi and Shams. She is the bystander, the child who sees how her life should be. Its simply her story, taking place in a true story. very interesting idea Miss Muriel :)
This epic take on such a short sightest story is awfully nostalgic, but how? none of us have lived in the times where Islam was the rule of the world. Where daily battles were fought between the Greatest Powers to shake middle earth.
Where life was flourishing, without the advent of our daily miseries we face now.

The book claims to continue the tradition of The Alchemist. The simple writing style, and imagery most certainly do continue this style. Impressive, and easy to read. Some imagery is very toxicating ....

" ......Green and Blue Doves" por ejample.

However, the book focuses on more than 3 characters, unlike the Alchemist, This means we cannot put ourselves in the story completely, we are constantly swtiched from the bodies of Ahmed, Kamya, Rumi, Shams, Tariq etc. This makes it, like the alchemist, but ... imaging if Santiago (boy in the alchemist) did not leave home to be shepard, he tried to fulfil his fathers dream of him being a priest. The story is a family one, where all people are cared for.

I think this difference might be, not solely, because it is about a small girl, really the womans free mind (I am certain women would relate much more than I ever can). Thus, this soft approach to the life that the little girl faces meant we are dealt cards of family on most pages, and of tears and sorrow, and confusion. Not to say women only feel those things. Reason being, The book i feel was written on a very honest level by the author. It is very impressive.

In conclusion, If you wish to travel back to the time when Islam didnt have to answer to anyone, and we were spreading like fire, where peopel converted daily, and the beautiful landscape of turkey is where you wanted to be, with mystic, magical detail on life. This is a book worth reading.

Note: The Author is a BBC correspondant and is studying persian studies, born and raised in france i am not entirely sure of her background.

Have a look :)