Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Title: Felaheen
Author: Jon Courtenay Grimwood
Publisher: Earthlight
Felaheen is the third in Jon Courtenay Grimwood's Arabesk Trilogy, a cycle following the rise of Ashraf Bey from prison inmate to son of the most powerful man in Africa. All along there has been an 'is he, isn't he' scene set up, regarding whether he was just a convenient pawn put in place at the right time, who has run with it, or if he is indeed who they say he is. At the same time Raf has found himself playing the role of detective. In Pashazade he stood accused of murdering the aunt who brought him to Africa. In Effendi the father of the woman he loves was put on trial. Leaving Felaheen, where someone is trying to kill the Emir of Tunis, his alleged father.
In some ways Jon Courtenay Grimwood has fallen into a rut with this series. It doesn't really flex and expand as it should. The use of flashback damages the pacing, so that it takes longer to get into. Felaheen avoids the stumbling overlap that initially tripped up Effendi but still comes out as the weakest of the trilogy. A plot is certainly there, enough bits and bobs, suspects and distractions. So that by the time we get to whodunit it seems too easy, too out of a hat, for the reader to really care.
Which is a real pity, because Pashazade had a lot of potential to be built on. Ashraf is of course too cool, things done in his head make him truly post-human. His niece Hani obviously comes from the same background, an 11 year old genius, who is destined no doubt to surpass her uncle. The growth of Hani, and how she contrasts/compliments Ashraf and his past is one of the real successes of the series. Though perhaps at the expense of Zara, who was a bomb in Pashazade and a damp squib in everything else, a radiant woman defying her culture, ready to go off at any minute. While she is present in Effendi and Felaheen it almost seems that Grimwood can't quite work out what to do with her - so instead of being this striking character she is pouting wallpaper. Another addition which worked well was Edward, Ashraf's assistant. An average man who is good at his job and utterly bemused to find someone who noticed enough to take him seriously. Bumbling in some ways, but there is a certain joy as he relishes and celebrates the role.
Ultimately fellaheen is disappointing, there is a lot of potential in there that never quite comes together. Saddening me to say Pashazade remains the highlight.
RVWR: PTR
August 2003
