Plot Summary

Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree

Tariq Ali
Guide cover placeholder

Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

Book Brief

Tariq Ali

Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Details
Pages

244

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Granada, Spain • 16th century

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Tariq Ali is a historical novel set in late fifteenth-century Spain, following the Hudayl family after the fall of Granada to Christian forces. The story portrays their struggle to adapt to drastic social, political, and religious changes as Archbishop Ximenes leads a campaign of cultural destruction and forced conversions aimed at erasing Moorish identity.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.9

4,235 ratings

68%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Tariq Ali is praised for its rich historical backdrop and vivid storytelling. Readers appreciate the nuanced portrayal of Islamic culture in medieval Spain. However, some criticisms point to a slow-paced plot and underdeveloped characters. Overall, it is a thought-provoking novel offering a fresh perspective on a tumultuous period.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree?

Readers who appreciate historical fiction with rich cultural contexts will enjoy Tariq Ali's Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree. Fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose or Amin Maalouf's Leo Africanus will find Ali's exploration of the fall of Muslim Spain similarly captivating. This novel beautifully blends history, politics, and philosophy.

3.9

4,235 ratings

68%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

244

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Granada, Spain • 16th century

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!