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Dear Sherry, I am a girl from Albania.I read "The jewel of Medina" since one month ago.i finished it for five days because i couldn't stop reading. it was amazing,one of the best books i ever read.Aisha is a women with high character,a great person that always will remain model for us.I like her qualities and i hope to become like her one day.i can forget this book because i learn something very useful for my life."the jewel of Medina" will stay for a long long time in my little library and always i will remember the author.

Thanks for giving me this pleasure.

Suela, Albania

Dear Sherry,

I have finished reading 'The Sword of Medina' a few weeks ago and was hesitant to write to you as I wanted to read it a second time and now I am half way through it. As in the Jewel of Medina the language in this book too was captivating. In any book I look for the language first and you never disappointed me. Even your dedication at the beginning was very original and touching. The history of Mohammed and what happened after his death is already known. But with your beautiful narration and language you connected all the dots to make it a memorable reading for me. To write like this you must have actually lived in the desert with the desert people and their camels to capture every tiny detail.For example I liked the battle that took place towards the end of book between Ali and Aysha and enjoyed this chapter the most. The picture of the fight was portrayed so well I felt I was personally there witnessing the great fight. There is a line there that I have underlined. 'My eyes watered from the stench of the dung the poor beast has dropped in its terror. The camel's shrill scream, so human like brought chills to my body.' Only a great writer writes such minute observation which many readers may not even notice.

I congratulate you. It is a great book and I enjoyed every line.

-Appa, Address Unknown

Dear Sherry,

I recently managed to secure a copy of "Jewel," and finished it last night. I read for pleasure only, so any historical liberties you may have taken were lost on me. But once I got involved with A'isha and her story, it was a very pleasurable read. You got it just right. I especially enjoyed the Q&A section; it was good to know how the story came to be. And now the search is on for "Sword."

-Tina, Address Unknown

Dear Sherry,

The moment i saw all the publicity about your book and Random House's refusal to print it, i knew i had to read it, so thank you to Random House for that, but more so to Beautfort House for taking up the mantle.

Essentially i am writing to you as i wanted you to know how much i loved your book, The Jewel Of Medina. I could not put it down and am about to pass it on to my friends and other book readers. It was fascinating, well written, thoughtful and interesting - and importantly it was about women. So thank you Sherry for giving me those hours of enjoyment reading your book and also the extra knowledge about women's part in Islam.

I do enjoy reading many books about women in history from Antonia Fraser, Alison Weir, Phillippa Gregory and Margaret George. They all portray the emotional element of life that women provide history, which reading about men does not provide and i think that is so important today when women's roles in society are stretched, polarised, marginalised and break new ground. I would love schools to start teaching much more 'women's' history as girls today don't remember the 1970's when women were not allowed a bank loan or a mortgage without their husband's approval. Girls seem to consume a media diet of celebrity trivia and they don't register very deeply that women have suffered so that they can be free. I love that historical fiction can play a role in educating today's women and know that The Jewel Of Medina, will do its part in this.

I come from a shamanic tradition that believes that all information is provided to us from the cosmos and therefore firmly believe that the characters you have so sensitively brought to life have a large element of truth in them and you have been blessed with the ability to bring them to the masses for so much entertainment and learning. I really am grateful to you for writing this book and going through what you had to, to have it published.

So congratulations and thank you!!

Anonymous, UK

I have finished reading 'The Sword of Medina' a few weeks ago and was hesitant to write to you as I wanted to read it a second time and now I am half way through it. As in the Jewel of Medina the language in this book too was captivating. In any book I look for the language first and you never disappointed me. Even your dedication at the beginning was very original and touching.

The history of Mohammed and what happened after his death is already known. But with your beautiful narration and language you connected all the dots to make it a memorable reading for me. To write like this you must have actually lived in the desert with the desert people and their camels to capture every tiny detail. For example I liked the battle that took place towards the end of book between Ali and Aysha and enjoyed this chapter the most. The picture of the fight was portrayed so well I felt I was personally there witnessing the great fight. There is a line there that I have underlined. 'My eyes watered from the stench of the dung the poor beast has dropped in its terror. The camel's shrill scream, so human like brought chills to my body.' Only a great writer writes such minute observation which many readers may not even notice. I congratulate you. It is a great book and I enjoyed every line.

Anonymous

Dear Jones, I'm a muslim from Brazil. I am reading your book "Jewel of Medina" and I'm glad to find a personal face of Aisha, Mohammad and others Islamic History characters. I defend that everyone have the right to speak free and show your opinion about everything. The worst in Islam are the people who use the Islam and the name of the Prophet to give way for your illnes and psicological diseases. This people, as Bin Laden, are distorcing the religion and our cares have to be directioned to this people, and not to another. First we have to clean our kitchen! Sorry my poor english.

Daoud, Brazil

I just finished the Jewel of Medina. I thought it was brilliant and wonderfully written. I know very little about Islam, and thought Muhammad was a fascinating and sympathetic character and adored the powerful A'isha. Good luck in everything you do - I am so proud of you for writing this book in all of the ridiculous censorship you have faced!

Address Unknown

Dear Sherry,

I've been following the path of your book for many months now. I finished reading it last night. It was well-written, with many beautiful metaphors, and it was a page-turner to boot. Frankly, anyone who is offended by it is simply oversensitive or insecure. I disagree with the NY Times reviewer, too. I thought the voice, which she criticized in a couple of metaphors she quoted, was just right for a six-year-old (or fourteen in the latter case) girl, and made perfect sense in context. In fact, I don't know if you did this consciously or subconsciously, but your language does something that few Western readers would be able to catch -- it sounds just like the translations of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry I have read! Evidently, the reviewer doesn't actually know what "qualifies as art." I'm sorry she snubbed you, and for all the other hassles you have endured because of this adventure.

I really look forward to reading the sequel and wish you continued success, Sherry!

Marin, California, USA

Hello Sherry!!!

Finally, I have time as we visit the Adirondacks to read The Jewel on Medina.  I JUST finished it.  What a wonderful writer you are, Sherry!  I LOVED the story.  You have transported me.  It is one of my favorite books of my life, not because you wrote it, but because of your beautiful style and expressive word choice.  How did you do it?  To me, this is an example of another life you have lived pouring out of you thick and sweet as honey.  Your metaphors, the setting, the feelings in the relationships are alive and intriguing.
                                        CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You have found such a voice and the world has found you!!!!!!!  I am not surprised, really.  I admire your confidence, your fiestiness (as A'isha), your timeliness in world politics, your intentions, your inner and outer beauty.  The subtle vibrancy of this book makes me cry for joy for you and this masterpiece that comes from your heart.
                                              WOWWWWWWW!
I am so proud of my friend who rises from seeming ashes time and time again in this short period I've been so lucky to know you. Your picture on the book jacket is full of your joy and love and sparkle with life.  And how about the cover!  I've never seen a more beautiful cover...and title!  The content of your book only flushes out the outer being.  You are the jewel. Congratulations again, Sherry.

Missoula, Montana, USA

Dear Ms. Jones, 

To tell you that I loved your book "The Jewel of Medina" would be an understatement. For the first time ever, reading brought tears in my eyes (dying Muhammad and loving Aisha). I can honestly say, I can not wait to dig in to your second book. "The Jewel of Medina" is a book that I will gladly go back to over and over again. And I do believe the same to be with "The Sword of Medina."

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Hi,

I have just finished reading “The Jewel of Medina” which I enjoyed. As a Muslim I was slightly sceptical and remain sceptical about non-Muslims writing about Islam and the major historical characters, however Karen Armstrong has written several books which have proved interesting and sympathetic to Islam; I also like to think that I am fairly open minded regarding religion and my particular faith. 

Previously I read Rushdie’s book “The Satanic Verses” and although I don’t subscribe to the Fatwa I agree that his book was blasphemous and written to shock (my view) and using the vehicle of “artistic licence” and freedom of speech” to portray the Prophet’s wives as prostitutes was poor judgement. Sorry I digress, although the comment is I believe relevant as you quote “your freedom of speech” and ask “will I be silenced next?” when Random House withdrew from publishing your book. 

Like many of us who are fortunate to live in a democracy freedom of speech is often taken for granted. However I do think that with freedom of speech comes the responsibility to be sensitive to the views of others, which Rushdie appeared to disregard Your book I felt was sympathetic and respectful to the historical events. 

In your questions and answers section you state that you only took “literary licence” with Aisha wielding a sword, the issue of the hatun and her engagement to Safwan, however I believe you did with the age of Aisha’s consummation, most scholars suggest she was nine and not fourteen. 

I have always believed that Aisha did side with her Father against Ali, who if one believes the Shia the Prophet suggested in his farewell pilgrimage sermon that he left, the Word of God, his example (sunnah) and his al-bayat (family), the Shia believing that this set Ali in line to succeed him after his death but the Sunni removed that part to strengthen their cause. 

Personally, I have a great deal of sympathy for Ali, which is quite a contradiction being a Sunni, but I believe that he was much too conservative which would have caused even more problems after the Prophet’s death than having Abu Bakr as Caliph. I hope that you have continued success with “The Jewel of Medina” and I look forward to reading “The Sword of Medina.” 

 Address Unknown

Dear Sherry,
Greetings from Toronto.
I am your most ardent reader and bought your book 'The Jewel of Medina' a few months back and finished reading it in two days. I just loved it so much that I underlined almost every other sentence in the book. I am rereading it now. I have already bought five books and sent two of them to my friends in India and the rest I gave as Christmas presents to friends in Toronto.
But the surprise came a few days ago. My son who lives in Montana brought a book for me autographed by you. I am grateful to you for this wonderful gift. So I have now two books, one untouched except for your signature and the other underlined all over. Both will be treasured by me.
I have read Mohammed's history and was always intrigued by Aisha the child bride. Your novel clears most of the doubts I had about Mohammed's life and the place occupied by Aisha in the harem.
Your writing in most places were poetic.
'Pain wrung my stomach like strong hands squeezing laundry.'
'I made slits with my eyes.'
'Like ants crawling single file into tomorrow.'
'Golden eyes softened, like honey in the sun.'
'Smile crooked, like a broken wing.'
'My skin tinkled for his touch in spots he never approached.' 

I can keep on writing. This is beautiful writing for me.
I hope I will be able to meet with you on my next visit to my son in Montana.
Please keep writing. Happy Holidays and a most prosperous and fulfilling New Year to you.

Toronto, Canada

About a quarter of the way in I could not stop reading it.  I still don't understand what all the fuss was about - and that's even after researching what happened.  I felt that Muhammed was written very respectfully, but also written as a human.  He was a human.  What's wrong with that?  I loved Aishia (I don't have the book in front of me, so please forgive me if I've mispelled her name) and cannot wait for the sequel.  She is quite a woman, although she's still just a very young woman.  Thank you so much for sharing her story and information about the beginnings of Islam.  Your novel is an example of exactly what I love about historical fiction.

USA

Ms. Jones,

I own an independent bookstore in Hood River Oregon.  I wanted to let you know as soon as possible how much I enjoyed The Jewel of Medina.  I originally planned to read it because when anyone tells me I can't or shouldn't read a book, I do.  I'm a little bitchy that way.  So, I planned a to spend a few hours Saturday starting it.  I ended up leaving my customers in the hands of my less bookish husband and finished the entire book, googling and Wikipedia-ing everything and getting more and more fired up about the controversy and attempts to stop publication.  I've even nominated it for the Pacific Northwest Bookseller's Association Book Awards.

I just wanted you to know, before you become too famous (or infamous) how much the book meant to me.  I learned about people and a culture that I knew nothing about.  Now, more than ever, that is an important thing of which you are a part.  Ignorance is a dangerous thing.

Thank you for writing A'isha's story.

Oregon, USA

hi, i found your book on the new author buzz web site through suzanne beecher's email book club.  there was a chance to win a copy of your book, so i entered and received it in the mail a few weeks later.

i was thrilled to win the book and even happier when i got started.  it had me from the first page and i finished it within a week.  when it was over, i missed the characters which is always a sign of a good book.

so thank you for sending me a copy of your book, and i wanted to share with you how much i enjoyed it.  i'll keep my eye out for the next sherry jones' release.

Address Unknown

Hello Ms. Jones,

I just finished the Jewel of Medina and I was blown away.  I grew up learning the various hadiths about the wives of the Prophet but your book brought those hadith to life in an authentic fashion.  I'd love to discuss the book with others in the Chicago area.  Are you aware of any book clubs in the Chicago area that have expressed interest in the book.  I noticed that you are offering a phone service to those outside the Washington area.  How does that work?

Illinois, USA

Sherry with Pressto Kommunications publisher Bjarke Larsen at the Vild Med Ord Literary Festival in Aarhus, Denmark, March 2009.	Sherry in Stockholm with Earbooks publisher Shadi Bitar and publicist Camilla Silfvenius, September 2009
Sherry celebrates her birthday in Copenhagen, Denmark, with (from left) Bjarke Larsen, publisher at Pressto Kommunications; Yildiz Akdogan, journalist and member of Danish Parliament; Cengiz Kahraman, journalist; and Sadi Tekelioglu, journalist, September 2009.	Signing books in Belgrade, Serbia, September 2009.
Sherry in Madrid with Ediciones B editor Lucia Luengo, left, and Carmen Romano, right.	Sherry with members of the Paper House Book Club in St. Marie's, Idaho, where she returns November 2009 to discuss "The Sword of Medina."
Seri Dzons books fill the window of Academija, Belgrade's largest bookstore. "The Jewel of Medina" was number 1 in Serbia for four months and was still number 3 when I went there in September. "The Sword of Medina" was number 6.	In Belgrade: Beobook publisher Alexander Jasic, left, and editor Ksenija Graovac