The Garden of Allah

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Domini Enfilden, a woman of remarkable independence and strength, who embarks on a journey from England to Beni-Mora, a quiet oasis in the Sahara Desert, seeking a deeper understanding of herself and her place in the world. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of her complicated family history, which includes a tumultuous parental relationship and her own struggles with faith and identity. The opening of the book sets the stage for Domini's arrival in Africa after a difficult sea journey and presents her restlessness in the quiet Hotel de la Mer. As she grapples with her memories and the weight of her past, especially the impact of her mother’s abandonment and her father’s cynical outlook, readers are introduced to her longing for freedom and connection with the exotic lands around her. The narrative captures her senses as she experiences the sights, sounds, and scents of Africa for the first time, hinting at her internal conflicts and the transformative journey ahead. It's a rich introduction to a character poised between two worlds, one shaped by her European upbringing and the other by the allure of the untamed desert, foreshadowing her quest for self-discovery amid the complexities of love, loss, and faith.