Bibliograph

The tale of Princess Fatima, warrior woman, the Arabic epic of Dhat al-Himma, edited, translated, and with an introduction and notes by Melanie Magidow

Type

Label

The tale of Princess Fatima, warrior woman, the Arabic epic of Dhat al-Himma, edited, translated, and with an introduction and notes by Melanie Magidow

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The tale of Princess Fatima, warrior woman

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1227976382

Responsibility statement

edited, translated, and with an introduction and notes by Melanie Magidow

Series statement

Penguin classics

Sub title

the Arabic epic of Dhat al-Himma

Summary

"Published in English for the first time, and the only Arabic epic named for a woman, The Tale of Princess Fatima recounts the thrilling adventures of a legendary medieval warrior universally known throughout the Middle East and long overdue to join world literature's pantheon of female heroes. A Penguin Classic. A fearsome, sword-slinging heroine who defeated countless men in stealth attacks on horseback, Dhat al-Himma, or Princess Fatima, was secretly given away at birth because she wasn't male, only to triumph as the most formidable warrior of her time. Known alternately as "she-wolf," "woman of high resolve," and "calamity of the soul," she lives on in this rousing narrative of female empowerment, in which she leads armies of more than seventy thousand men in clashes between rival tribes and between Muslims and Christians; reconciles with her father after taking him prisoner; and fends off her infatuated cousin, who challenges her to a battle for the right to marry her. Though he suffers an ignominious defeat, he impregnates Fatima against her will and, when she gives birth to a Black son, disowns his own son, who also grows up to be a great warrior, eventually avenging his mother's honor. The epic culminates in a showdown between Fatima and another formidable woman warrior, and earns Fatima a place alongside the likes of Circe, Mulan, Wonder Woman, Katniss Everdeen and other powerful women"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Ancestors : the opening episode of the epic -- Jundaba's childhood and first adventure -- The romance of Layla and Sahsah -- Fatima uprooted -- The sorry affair of Fatima's marriage -- Arab-Byzantine encounters -- Trials of motherhood -- Switching sides -- Like mother, like son -- The story of Nura -- A final adventure

Target audience

adult

Classification