"The Proof of Honey" is a controversial book, famous for being erotically bold. I wasn't at all attracted by this literary genre (Although I hate classifications in general), but I was definitely very intrigued after knowing that the author is a contemporary Arab WOMAN. The only Arabic book in this genre I had read before and absolutely hated and hated myself for reading it was "Meryl Streep can suit herself" by Rachid Al Daif. Just saying, I started reading "The proof of Honey" with a lot of apprehension.
Plot wise, the book is not complicated: From the beginning we discern that a nameless Arab female narrator is taking us readers on a journey through her sexual adventures. But statement wise: this is huge! Most people in our Arab societies are not ready for it yet. Girls having sex and admitting it openly is a serious crime. The minimal sentence for such act is mental lapidation.
From a literary point of view, the author has a an exquisite pen and I'll post below some of her quotes to let you judge yourselves.
The story was also very dynamic: We have anecdotes about the various lovers, snapshots of the narrator's life in Paris. We also plunge into her librarian work and the research she is entrusted with and which fits perfectly with the theme of the book because it deals with Arabic literature and sex. We also travel with her on a voyage, and get introduced to stories of her acquaintances. To sum up, one is not bored at all while reading this book.
Adding to all the above mentioned "signs of a successful book" as I like to call them, was the fact that the author quoted many authors/ poets/ religious personalities and brilliantly incorporated these historical flashback parentheses in her manuscript.
The cherry on top of the cake for me was the novelty of some of the ideas and the all over the place feminist statements of her very strong female narrator when she for example declares that:
The book was excellent in every sense of the term and I highly recommend it for curious readers. Let me however warn you that there are some pretty steamy and bold descriptions of the main character's sex encounters. I did not however find them disgusting like the ones in the other book I mentioned earlier. In any case, sensitive souls better abstain.
To wrap up, I just wanted to draw your attention to the fact that this book has earned its author name calling and other preposterous accusations, judgements as well as insults, only because the narrator is a girl. The reviewers judged the author and not the book or the story attacking her with all the hideous connotations just because the narrator has a lifestyle that doesn't fit to the reviewers' standards (Reference available upon request). These same double standard reviewers never attacked just to give an example Rachid Al Daif's book even though the narrator's name was Rachoud. They did not confuse for some reason the author with the narrator. Also it seems that men are entitled to write and live as they please while women are to be figuratively damned for it. What a shameful and sick mentality! But what reason do we need more to read the book and praise it and piss them off?
Yours Truly,
Isabelle
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