Yemen in 1920: Adela Damari's uncle, cousin and aunt introduce Adela to the powerful rituals of henna tattooing. Adela's eyes are opened to the world, and she begins to understand what it means to love another and one's heritage. She is imperiled when her parents die and a drought threatens their way of life. She and her extended family flee to the city of Aden, where Adela encounters old loves, discovers her true calling, and is ultimately betrayed by the people and customs she held dear.
"... the novel is a welcome glimpse into this historical moment and little-known culture."
Booklist
"A captivatingand evocative novel, at once intensely intimate and sweeping in scope. Nomi Eve is a wonderful writer - compassionate, intelligent, assured - and her deeply felt, richly imagined book will stay with me for a long time."
Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans
"This was a book I had to read twice: the first time to rush through quickly to find out what will ultimately happen to the characters, and the second time to slowly savor the descriptions of these marvelous, exotic people and locales. Nomi Eve captivated me."
Maggie Anton, author of Rashi's Daughters and Rav Hisda's Daughter
