Review
------
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
Named A Best Book of the Year by "The Washington Post "and" The
Denver Post"
A vibrant tale of a friendship.... "If the Oceans Were Ink" is a
welcome and nuanced look at Islam [and] goes a long way toward
combating the dehumanizing stereotypes of Muslims that are all
too common.... " If the Oceans Were Ink" should be mandatory
reading for the 52 percent of Americans who admit to not knowing
enough about Muslims. "The Washington Post"
""
Journalist Power writes about her year studying the Quran with a
Muslim scholar she befriended while working at a think tank in
London. For some, this will be a strong introduction to Islam. To
others, it's fodder for discussion on the Sheikh's views, how
Westerners (such as Power) interpret those views and the
interplay of culture and religion. " The Denver Post"
""
For all those who wonder what Islam says about war and peace,
men and women, Jews and gentiles, this is the book to read. It is
a conversation among well-meaning friends--intelligent,
compassionate, and revealing--the kind that needs to be taking
place around the world. "Fareed Zakaria, author of The
Post-American World"
" "With a journalist s mind for the story, a born traveler s
heart for the adventure of crossing borders, and a seeker s yen
for the poetry and mysticism of belief, Power creates an
exceptional record of a timeless quest. Merritt Tierce, a
National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree and author of "Love
Me Back"
An inspiring story of two [people] from different worlds who
refuse to let religious and cultural differences, prejudice, and
ignorance get in the way of their friendship, "If the Oceans Were
Ink" is as thought-provoking as it is elegantly written. It takes
a difficult, highly charged topic and puts it into terms that are
not only understandable and eye-opening, but beautiful. "Bustle"
(11 Beautifully Written Memoirs by Women)
[Carla Power and Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi's] conversations
break down stereotypes.... Power displays the diversity and
intellectual richness of the practicing Muslim world, and shows
how much we have to gain from mutual understanding. "Shelf
Awareness"
Carla Power's portrait of the Quran, told with nuance
and great elegance, captures the extraordinary, living debate
over the Muslim holy book's very essence. A spirited, compelling
read. "Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad"
Engaging Together [Carla Power and the Sheikh] explore the
significance of veiling and unveiling, the struggle against
unjust rulers and jihad, and contemporary wars. Power's narrative
offers an accessible and enlightening route into a topic fraught
with misunderstanding. "Publishers Weekly"
Unique, masterful, and deeply engaging. Carla Power takes the
reader on an extraordinary journey in interfaith understanding as
she debates and discovers the Quran's message, meaning, and
values on peace and violence, gender and veiling, religious
pluralism and tolerance. "John L. Esposito, University Professor
and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University, and
author of The Future of Islam"
Lively Intelligent and exceptionally informative. "Kirkus
Reviews"
A thoughtful, provocative, intelligent book. "Diana Abu-Jaber,
author of Birds Of Paradise and The Language of Baklava"
Their yearlong debates on issues ranging from the veiling of
women to calls for was challenged their own understandings of
religion, culture, politics, and friendship and offer powerful
new ins into Islam. "Booklist"
"If the Oceans Were Ink" opens a door to the power of the
Quran's lyrical and complex prose to inspire, comfort, and ignite
hearts everywhere. A must read for anyone wishing to understand a
global community's central spiritual source. "Dalia Mogahed,
Director of Research, The Institute for Social Policy and
Understanding, and co-author of Who Speaks for Islam?"
A former foreign correspondent for "Newsweek "raised partly in
the Middle East and boasting a graduate degree in Middle Eastern
studies from Oxford, Power spent a year reading the Quran with a
longtime friend, Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi. Their experience
led them beyond stereotypes to a constructive understanding for
the text's call for peace and equality. Great for book clubs.
"Library Journal"
There are many intriguing books that trace the encounter of
Westerners with Muslims from traditional backgrounds. Some of
these books are love stories, others are clashes. Carla Power's
"If the Oceans Were Ink" is something more radical, magical, and
much more relevant: a religious encounter mediated through a
gentle friendship, one that is committed to a dialogue and a
search for truth. In a world characterized by so much tension and
polemic, Power offers what might be our best hope for a better
tomorrow: an intelligent friendship. Most enthusiastically
recommended. "Omid Safi, Director, Duke Islamic Studies Center""
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
Named A Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and The
Denver Post
A vibrant tale of a friendship.... If the Oceans Were Ink is a
welcome and nuanced look at Islam [and] goes a long way toward
combating the dehumanizing stereotypes of Muslims that are all
too common.... If the Oceans Were Ink should be mandatory
reading for the 52 percent of Americans who admit to not knowing
enough about Muslims. The Washington Post
Journalist Power writes about her year studying the Quran with a
Muslim scholar she befriended while working at a think tank in
London. For some, this will be a strong introduction to Islam. To
others, it's fodder for discussion on the Sheikh's views, how
Westerners (such as Power) interpret those views and the
interplay of culture and religion. The Denver Post
For all those who wonder what Islam says about war and peace,
men and women, Jews and gentiles, this is the book to read. It is
a conversation among well-meaning friends--intelligent,
compassionate, and revealing--the kind that needs to be taking
place around the world. Fareed Zakaria, author of The
Post-American World
With a journalist s mind for the story, a born traveler s heart
for the adventure of crossing borders, and a seeker s yen for the
poetry and mysticism of belief, Power creates an exceptional
record of a timeless quest. Merritt Tierce, a National Book
Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree and author of Love Me Back
An inspiring story of two [people] from different worlds who
refuse to let religious and cultural differences, prejudice, and
ignorance get in the way of their friendship, If the Oceans Were
Ink is as thought-provoking as it is elegantly written. It takes
a difficult, highly charged topic and puts it into terms that are
not only understandable and eye-opening, but beautiful. Bustle
(11 Beautifully Written Memoirs by Women)
[Carla Power and Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi's] conversations
break down stereotypes.... Power displays the diversity and
intellectual richness of the practicing Muslim world, and shows
how much we have to gain from mutual understanding. Shelf
Awareness
Carla Power's portrait of the Quran, told with nuance
and great elegance, captures the extraordinary, living debate
over the Muslim holy book's very essence. A spirited, compelling
read. Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad
Engaging Together [Carla Power and the Sheikh] explore the
significance of veiling and unveiling, the struggle against
unjust rulers and jihad, and contemporary wars. Power's narrative
offers an accessible and enlightening route into a topic fraught
with misunderstanding. Publishers Weekly
Unique, masterful, and deeply engaging. Carla Power takes the
reader on an extraordinary journey in interfaith understanding as
she debates and discovers the Quran's message, meaning, and
values on peace and violence, gender and veiling, religious
pluralism and tolerance. John L. Esposito, University Professor
and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University, and
author of The Future of Islam
Lively Intelligent and exceptionally informative. Kirkus Reviews
A thoughtful, provocative, intelligent book. Diana Abu-Jaber,
author of Birds Of Paradise and The Language of Baklava
Their yearlong debates on issues ranging from the veiling of
women to calls for was challenged their own understandings of
religion, culture, politics, and friendship and offer powerful
new ins into Islam. Booklist
If the Oceans Were Ink opens a door to the power of the Quran's
lyrical and complex prose to inspire, comfort, and ignite hearts
everywhere. A must read for anyone wishing to understand a global
community's central spiritual source. Dalia Mogahed, Director of
Research, The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, and
co-author of Who Speaks for Islam?
A former foreign correspondent for Newsweek raised partly in the
Middle East and boasting a graduate degree in Middle Eastern
studies from Oxford, Power spent a year reading the Quran with a
longtime friend, Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi. Their experience
led them beyond stereotypes to a constructive understanding for
the text's call for peace and equality. Great for book clubs.
Library Journal
There are many intriguing books that trace the encounter of
Westerners with Muslims from traditional backgrounds. Some of
these books are love stories, others are clashes. Carla Power's
If the Oceans Were Ink is something more radical, magical, and
much more relevant: a religious encounter mediated through a
gentle friendship, one that is committed to a dialogue and a
search for truth. In a world characterized by so much tension and
polemic, Power offers what might be our best hope for a better
tomorrow: an intelligent friendship. Most enthusiastically
recommended. Omid Safi, Director, Duke Islamic Studies Center
"
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
Named A Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and The
Denver Post
"A vibrant tale of a friendship.... If the Oceans Were Ink is a
welcome and nuanced look at Islam [and] goes a long way toward
combating the dehumanizing stereotypes of Muslims that are all
too common.... If the Oceans Were Ink should be mandatory
reading for the 52 percent of Americans who admit to not knowing
enough about Muslims." --The Washington Post
"Journalist Power writes about her year studying the Quran with a
Muslim scholar she befriended while working at a think tank in
London. For some, this will be a strong introduction to Islam. To
others, it's fodder for discussion on the Sheikh's views, how
Westerners (such as Power) interpret those views and the
interplay of culture and religion." --The Denver Post
"For all those who wonder what Islam says about war and peace,
men and women, Jews and gentiles, this is the book to read. It is
a conversation among well-meaning friends--intelligent,
compassionate, and revealing--the kind that needs to be taking
place around the world." --Fareed Zakaria, author of The
Post-American World
"With a journalist's mind for the story, a born traveler's heart
for the adventure of crossing borders, and a seeker's yen for the
poetry and mysticism of belief, Power creates an exceptional
record of a timeless quest."-- Merritt Tierce, a National Book
Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree and author of Love Me Back
"An inspiring story of two [people] from different worlds who
refuse to let religious and cultural differences, prejudice, and
ignorance get in the way of their friendship, If the Oceans Were
Ink is as thought-provoking as it is elegantly written. It takes
a difficult, highly charged topic and puts it into terms that are
not only understandable and eye-opening, but beautiful."--Bustle
(11 Beautifully Written Memoirs by Women)
"[Carla Power and Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi's] conversations
break down stereotypes.... Power displays the diversity and
intellectual richness of the practicing Muslim world, and shows
how much we have to gain from mutual understanding." --Shelf
Awareness
"Carla Power's portrait of the Quran, told with nuance
and great elegance, captures the extraordinary, living debate
over the Muslim holy book's very essence. A spirited, compelling
read." --Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad
"Engaging ... Together [Carla Power and the Sheikh] explore ...
the significance of veiling and unveiling, the struggle against
unjust rulers and jihad, and contemporary wars. Power's narrative
offers an accessible and enlightening route into a topic fraught
with misunderstanding." --Publishers Weekly
"Unique, masterful, and deeply engaging. Carla Power takes the
reader on an extraordinary journey in interfaith understanding as
she debates and discovers the Quran's message, meaning, and
values on peace and violence, gender and veiling, religious
pluralism and tolerance." --John L. Esposito, University
Professor and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown
University, and author of The Future of Islam
"Lively ... Intelligent and exceptionally informative." --Kirkus
Reviews
"A thoughtful, provocative, intelligent book." --Diana Abu-Jaber,
author of Birds Of Paradise and The Language of Baklava
"Their yearlong debates on issues ranging from the veiling of
women to calls for was challenged their own understandings of
religion, culture, politics, and friendship and offer powerful
new ins into Islam." --Booklist
"If the Oceans Were Ink opens a door to the power of the Quran's
lyrical and complex prose to inspire, comfort, and ignite hearts
everywhere. A must read for anyone wishing to understand a global
community's central spiritual source." --Dalia Mogahed, Director
of Research, The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding,
and co-author of Who Speaks for Islam?
"A former foreign correspondent for Newsweek raised partly in the
Middle East and boasting a graduate degree in Middle Eastern
studies from Oxford, Power spent a year reading the Quran with a
longtime friend, Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi. Their experience
led them beyond stereotypes to a constructive understanding for
the text's call for peace and equality. Great for book clubs."
--Library Journal
"There are many intriguing books that trace the encounter of
Westerners with Muslims from traditional backgrounds. Some of
these books are love stories, others are clashes. Carla Power's
If the Oceans Were Ink is something more radical, magical, and
much more relevant: a religious encounter mediated through a
gentle friendship, one that is committed to a dialogue and a
search for truth. In a world characterized by so much tension and
polemic, Power offers what might be our best hope for a better
tomorrow: an intelligent friendship. Most enthusiastically
recommended." --Omid Safi, Director, Duke Islamic Studies Center
About the Author
----------------
Carla Power writes for TIME and was a foreign
correspondent for Newsweek. Her writing has appeared in Vogue,
Glamour, The New York Times Magazine, and Foreign Policy. Her
work has been recognized with an Overseas Press Club award, a
Women in Media Award, and the National Women's Political Caucus's
EMMA Award. She holds a graduate degree in Middle Eastern Studies
from Oxford, as well as degrees from Yale and Columbia.
