Synopses & Reviews
"You will have great sorrow in your life, and loss," the old woman foretold. "But you will also have great triumph and joy. And only Allah knows in what measure."
Alexandria, Egypt. Born a humble servant girl on a cotton plantation owned by a wealthy British family, Karima Ismail never imagined how far her dreams would take her---nor the heartache and passion in store. Although her doomed love for her employer's handsome son ends in tragedy, their brief romance leaves her with a beautiful daughter who is the joy of her life.
In time, Karima's heavenly voice brings her stardom as she becomes one of the most admired and successful singers of her generation, the world-famous "Nightingale" of Egypt. But all her success counts for nothing when, in one terrible night of flame and revolution, little Nadia suddenly disappears, leaving Karima bereft.
Given a new name and identity, Karima's lost daughter grows up thousands of miles away. It is only when an unexpected chain of events leads "Gaby" back to Egypt that she can begin to unravel the mystery of her past---and discover the happiness she longs for.
Set against five decades of turbulent Middle Eastern history, from World War II to the first Gulf War, Nadia's Song is a moving saga of mothers and daughters and the unbreakable bond between them.
Review
"Engrossing. . . . Deft, fast-paced storytelling and sympathetic characters. A winner."
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"Engrossing. . . . Deft, fast-paced storytelling and sympathetic characters. A winner."--
Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on
Nadia's Song"A fascinating love story of divided loyalties, forbidden love, and tender camaraderie."--Jean Sasson, bestselling author of Desert Royal on Nadia's Song
"Khashoggi blends romance, class conflict, and familial betrayal, all set in the context of half a century of Egyptian history. . . . By intertwining a family's fate with Egypt's involvement in the Suez crisis and the 1973 war over the Sinai, Khashoggi creates a story far richer than a typical romantic saga."--Booklist on Nadia's Song
"This is a compelling tale of great glamour rooted in Egypt. . . . It captures the intrigue and passion of Alexandria . . . an exhilarating and passionate novel."--Stanley Pottinger, bestselling author of The Fourth Procedure on Nadia's Song
"Utterly enthralling . . . Khashoggi grips the imagination."--Daily Mail (UK) on Nadia's Song
Review
"A fascinating love story of divided loyalties, forbidden love, and tender camaraderie."
Jean Sasson, bestselling author of Desert Royal
Review
"By intertwining a family's fate with Egypt's, Khashoggi creates a story far richer than a typical romantic saga."
Booklist
Review
"This is a compelling tale of great glamour rooted in Egypt. . . . an exhilarating and passionate novel."
Stanley Pottinger, bestselling author of The Fourth Procedure
Review
"Utterly enthralling . . . Khashoggi grips the imagination."
Daily Mail (UK)
About the Author
Soheir Khashoggi was born in Alexandria, Egypt. A member of one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent families, she has used her influence to highlight the plight of women across the Arab world. She lives in New York City.