Search - The Almond: The Sexual Awakening of a Muslim Woman

Part erotica, part diatribe against misogynistic customs, The Almond is the story of Badra, a young Muslim woman who flees an unsatisfying arranged marriage in her hometown for Tangiers. In this northern Moroccan city she initially lives with her Aunt Selma, who is divorced from her uncle, and ultimately becomes involved with cardiologist-socialite Driss in a long, consuming affair. Although it was Driss who awakens sexual pleasure and love in Badra, she recalls her earlier attempts to understand and experience adult things in her pre-Tangiers existence in long, italicized flashbacks. The story becomes more and more ungrounded in every day life as Badra gets older. It's a bit graphic at times, and I found its dreamy, self-centered prose slightly unsatisfying.

This book is classified as Erotica. Don't expect any deep insights into Muslim culture.

Quite a page turner. Uninhibited, sensual,erotic narrative that explores a plethora of abnormal pleasures. This story does not just explore sexual awakening but also touches on some of the discriminative, cultural practices used to mentally shackle and suppress muslim women. A story you would never guess that a muslim woman would tell.