These historic events form the background to this short, arresting historical novel, written almost as a prose poem, which recounts the Dome's construction from the viewpoint of one of the Caliph's advisers, who is of Jewish origin but has adopted the new Muslim creed.

ECONOMIST: New fiction from the Middle East

Ms. TRETHEWEY: Well, this other poem that I think really speaks to this historical moment.

NPR: Natasha Trethewey: If My Mom Could See Us Now

Or at least that's the story being plugged by the historical manuscript dealer who is selling the only handwritten copy of the poem in private hands.

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