The Proof of the Honey

A bestseller throughout the Arab world, this novel about female pleasure and personal liberty "unwinds sinuously as a veiled dancer" ( Booklist).   A Syrian scholar working in Paris is invited to contribute to a conference on the subject of classic erotic literature in Arabic. The invitation provides occasion for her to evoke memories from her own life, to exult in her personal liberty, her lovers, her desires, and to revisit moments of shared intimacy with other women as they discuss life, love, and sexual exploits.   Far more than an erotic novel, The Proof of the Honey is a surprising and illuminating voyage into the history of Arabic literature. Borrowing inspiration from The Thousand and One Nights, it weaves erudite asides into the fabric of the protagonist's story and the stories of her lovers. This is a stirring novel about the place afforded sex in modern Arabic society and its relationship to a long, rich tradition, from "the most audacious among contemporary Arab novelists" (Al Jazeera).   "Delivers sensationally beautiful erotic moments, revealing a skillful, enticing voice." — Publishers Weekly   "Riveting . . . blends folktales, memories of her youth, and gleanings from ancient erotica." — Booklist