An exhaustive resource for believers, a fun diversion for others.
A reference guide to Jinn, the supernatural beings central to Islamic cosmology.
Invisible to humans, Jinn, sometimes called genies or djinn, loom large in Islamic theology. According to the Quran, they are creatures Allah formed from fire, unlike humans, who were constructed from clay. According to Ahmad, Jinn frequently interact with humans, but rarely in positive ways. He says that while some jinn are devout Muslims, others are evil demons, including the most evil Jinn of all: Iblis, known in the West as Satan. Evil Jinn–which appear in a variety of forms, including ghosts, vampires and demons–delight in causing problems for humans. Ahmad claims that some wicked Jinn even fall in love with humans and use deceptive tactics to have sex with them with predictably disastrous results (for the humans anyway). Not all Jinn are evil, however, and this book includes a chapter about the various ways good Jinn can aid humans. The author draws primarily from the Quran and other sacred Islamic sources to present this overview. To the average non-Muslim reader, the most interesting sections are bound to be the collected Jinn stories that Ahmad has culled from the Quran, but these readers are likely to find his more conjectural musings somewhat suspicious. Less skeptical readers interested in the supernatural will appreciate the author’s efforts to tie Jinn to more traditional Western-oriented paranormal topics, including UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle. Doubters–a group that probably includes most potential readers–will raise an incredulous eyebrow toward these “unseen beings,” but they’re still likely to appreciate this look at unorthodox religious views from another culture’s perspective. Although this book does feel repetitive at times, it’s at least well written and often entertaining.
An exhaustive resource for believers, a fun diversion for others.Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2008
ISBN: 37.00
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
