(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) An already compelling slice of Oman's history received both updating and a dash of drama with the release on Wednesday of author Jane Jaffer's Love in the Time of Zanzibar.
A work of historical fiction it draws inspiration from the remarkable lives and struggles of Sayyida Salme a 19th century princess of Oman and Zanzibar and Djilfidan a concubine in the royal court. While little has been recorded about the latter historical figure Sayyida Salme was the first Omani woman – and one of the first Arab women - to document her life for posterity.
Her autobiography Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar published in 1888 provides much of the historical basis and context for Jane 's novel.
'I had to fill in the gaps in information using artistic licence to blend fact and fiction' said Jane who spent three years researching and working on the book. Noting that it is 'only loosely based' on Sayyida Salme she added that the stories of two women overcoming adversity and following their hearts would no doubt hold appeal to a modern audience.
'Though it would perhaps appeal more to women I believe the story of Sayyida Salme and Djilfidan would not go unappreciated by a broad audience' said Jane who hoped it would spark interest in learning more about this rich period of Omani history.
'It's an attempt to see from my point of view how it could have been for them' Jane said. 'Other people will see it differently and that's fine so long as it develops an interest and a conversation about her life.
'It was a completely different era a different lifestyle. This is an insight into a different era that is very much part of Oman's heritage' she said.
Jane who oversees the Let's Read campaign to promote the habit of and a love for reading also hoped her book would contribute to a wider interest in books across the general population - though she noted that this particular book was intended for older readers.
The 256-page book will be on sale for RO5.800 at the recently opened Let's Read bookstore in the Al Qurum Complex and also at select bookstores around the city. Ten per cent of the proceeds will go towards the Let's Read campaign which also counts amongst its initiatives Maktabati Oman's first mobile library project.
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