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: Paperback / softback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 15 May 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 novel is divided into three parts, each representing a different stage of the conquest. The first part, "The Night Will Have Its Say," follows the journey of al-Kahina and her army as they cross the desert and confront the Umayyad forces. The second part, "The City of Gold," takes place in the city of Kairouan, where al-Kahina and her army are welcomed as guests by the Umayyad ruler, but soon find themselves trapped and surrounded. The third part, "The Sea of Stars," follows al-Kahina and her army as they escape from Kairouan and make their way to the sea, where they hope to find refuge.

Throughout the novel, al-Kahina is a fierce and determined warrior, but she is also a complex and nuanced character. She is a woman who has been forced to navigate the treacherous waters of political power and personal ambition, and who has struggled to find her place in a world that is often dominated by men. She is also a deeply spiritual woman who believes in the power of prayer and meditation to guide her in times of crisis.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a ruthless and calculating leader who is determined to conquer North Africa and expand his empire. He is a man who is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including violence and treachery.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a ruthless and calculating leader who is determined to conquer North Africa and expand his empire. He is a man who is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including violence and treachery.

The emissary from the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a man who is caught between his loyalty to his leader and his conscience. He is a man who believes in the power of diplomacy and negotiation, but who is also aware of the brutality and injustice of the Umayyad regime.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The emissary from the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a man who is caught between his loyalty to his leader and his conscience. He is a man who believes in the power of diplomacy and negotiation, but who is also aware of the brutality and injustice of the Umayyad regime.

The translator of the novel, Roger Allen, is a scholar of Arabic literature and history who has done extensive research on the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa. He has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of al-Koni's prose and translating it into English in a way
The year is 693, and a tense exchange takes place

The year is 693, and a tense exchange takes place. The Berber warrior queen, al-Kahina, stands before the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man, her predecessor's killer, in a tense meeting mediated by an interpreter. Despite the Umayyad forces' previous victory, al-Kahina is determined to defeat them.

The Night Will Have Its Say is a captivating 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, the novel offers a profound exploration of themes that are still relevant today. Through the lens of the conquered peoples, al-Koni delves into 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. The novel is divided into three parts, each representing a different stage of the conquest. The first part, "The Night Will Have Its Say," follows al-Kahina and her army as they traverse the vast desert and confront the Umayyad forces. The second part, "The City of Gold," takes place in the city of Kairouan, where al-Kahina and her army are welcomed as guests by the Umayyad ruler, but soon find themselves trapped and surrounded. The third part, "The Sea of Stars," follows al-Kahina and her army as they escape from Kairouan and make their way to the sea, where they hope to find refuge.

Al-Kahina is a fierce and determined warrior, but she is also a complex and nuanced character. She is a woman who has been forced to navigate the treacherous waters of political power and personal ambition, and who has struggled to find her place in a world that is often dominated by men. She is also a deeply spiritual woman who believes in the power of prayer and meditation to guide her in times of crisis.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a ruthless and calculating leader who is determined to conquer North Africa and expand his empire. He is a man who is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including violence and treachery.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a ruthless and calculating leader who is determined to conquer North Africa and expand his empire. He is a man who is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including violence and treachery.

The emissary from the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a man caught between his loyalty to his leader and his conscience. He is a man who believes in the power of diplomacy and negotiation, but who is also aware of the brutality and injustice of the Umayyad regime.

The other characters in the novel are equally complex and nuanced. The emissary from the Umayyad General Hassan ibn Nu man is a man caught between his loyalty to his leader and his conscience. He is a man who believes in the power of diplomacy and negotiation, but who is also aware of the brutality and injustice of the Umayyad regime.

The translator of the novel, Roger Allen, is a scholar of Arabic literature and history who has done extensive research on the Muslim wars of conquest in North Africa. He has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of al-Koni's prose and translating it into English in a way that is both accessible and evocative.

The Night Will Have Its Say is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on a distant and turbulent era. Through al-Koni's lyrical and deeply poetic prose, the novel sheds light on the human cost of conquest and resistance, and challenges us to reflect on the values and beliefs that shape our world today.

ISBN-13: 9781649031860