These three women are referred to as “the Sinner, the Believer, the Confused.” They are individuals caught in a state of flux between different nations, faiths and ideologies. Enrolled in this seminar alongside her are friends Shirin, a bisexual woman with an Iranian background who considers herself “as British as a treacle tart but as out of place as a stuffed date cake,” and Mona, a politically engaged woman of Egyptian descent who is an ardently devout Muslim. However, at the centre of this story is Peri, a highly intelligent Turkish woman who is confused about what God means to her. Every term he holds a selective seminar whose sole purpose is to probe the philosophical meaning of God. Azur, a controversial Oxford professor who encourages dialogue across religious belief systems as he believes that too many people suffer from what he calls “The Malady of Certainty”. Religion continues to be at the centre of many battles, yet in her new novel Elif Shafak creates the character of A.Z. When different factions are so convinced about the certitude of their own ideas and beliefs conflict is inevitable. However, Muslim people too have lives that are relative and intersecting with many other demands.It’s deeply frightening and upsetting how politically divided society is at the moment.

It helped me to realise that the idea of being Muslim can dominate a persons life like a wild fire taking over a forest. It made me wonder about things we don't say and things we do say.

Which character – as performed by Alix Dunmore – was your favorite?ĭid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? It would be in the range of Paul Coelho meets Rumi. Mmm I don't think I have come across a book quite like it.

What other book might you compare Three Daughters of Eve to and why? She exhibits superbly that people have multiple moving identities. She shows in a remarkable way that being Muslim is not a homogenous idea. All come from different background but dealing with the same problems. Shafak weaves a story of 3 characters each dealing with the identity of being Muslim. Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Daughters of eve elif shafak