Salaam alaikum,
The following is a book review of perhaps the only good Muslim novel for teenagers. You can order the book by contacting Selma Cook, the writer of this beautiful book at
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Buried Treasure
By Selma Cook
Review by Aiman S. Ahmed
Oscar Wilde once wrote: “…In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish.” Selma Cook is among the rare group of writers who have shown humanity and purity in their works. In her delightful novel for teenagers called Buried Treasure, she weaves together bits and pieces of mysteries and curiosities that plague the youth. As a further act of charity, she sent me a copy of her book to read. I must admit that I approached it with a cynical mind. I loved her poems but my usual distaste of modern youth literature involving material aims, calf love and grand fantasies prevented me from seeing things clearly at first. But when I started to read, I found a very enjoyable book, the like of which captures the heart. True human feelings have been translated in ink.
Amirah is the reason I loved this book, because her simple trusting spirit leaves an indelible mark on the reader. Though the narration is not from the first person perspective, the story is about twelve-year-old Amirah and her wonderful world which comprises of her loving father and full-of-beans Granny. And of course, there are longings and problems that Amirah tries to make sense of. Though she has nurtured and been blessed with a gentle personality, her determination to solve curiosities and often painful realizations that plague young people like her make her shine out…not too brilliantly but truly. In fact, Buried Treasure defies all clichés and “invents” realism in literature dispersed with examples of piety, love, kindnesses and good behaviour. At a time when the Muslim youth are torn between loyalties to grubby Western values and a simple Islamic upbringing defined by the care and love of family, this book rolls like a messianic wheel.
Buried Treasure is filled with interesting characters. The dialogue is quite good – very natural-sounding and often very amusing! We are first introduced to Granny Sausan, who had reverted to Islam when Amirah‘s father was just a boy, as she listens to Amirah’s problems about school and her father, and afterwards as she mimics a hooligan in the street to cheer up Amirah.
“What do they say about Mr. Adam Stevenson?”
“All kinds of karate names and road runner and silly things like that.”
“Well, the man can certainly run my dear.” Granny sipped at her tea again. “Listen my sweet girl, you have a very special Dad and don’t let anyone change your opinion. People can say whatever they like but they can’t change the reality.”
Notwithstanding the ebullient Granny, in Amirah’s father we find a sombre and busy personality. Amirah’s insistence on “finding out” locks her world with that of her father, and what follows is magic that is closer to life than a piece of imagination. Even though the story occurs in the pages of a book, you are offered to share it affectionately with yourself and place it in your memory. But if you want to unearth Buried Treasure and know what happens to Amirah and Mr Adam Stevenson and Granny Sausan and the rest of the folks who live and breathe in Buried Treasure, you’ll have to read the book!
Last update : 19-02-2007 22:52
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