Sweetness in the belly

Lilly's parents, British citizens, lead a life of reckless wanderings. While the family is traveling in Ethiopia, Lilly's parents are killed and Lilly is sent to stay with the Great Abdal, a teacher and leader of his people. She is taught to be a devout Muslim by Abdal and she learns much about literature and art by visits from a great teacher, Muhammed Bruce. Eventually she is sent to live with a young mother, Nouria. Lilly finds she can supplement the income of Nouria and her children by teaching the children the Koran. Lilly comes to know a handsome doctor, Aziz. As Lilly grows older, she and Aziz become friends and then fall in love.

The story brought together so many unexpected elements—a young British girl who becomes an ardent Muslim...a devout Muslim who risks it all for the sake of being with the man she loves...the complex ancestry of the doctor, with both desirable and undesirable parents—that it felt like a memoir. It has left me thinking about cultural identity and religious belief; thinking about a book even after finishing it is always a sign to me of an excellent read.