
The novel sounds great in itself but also because it includes many references on erotism by the classics of literature, mysticism and traditions of the Arab world, that is of course before the XVII century, the time when they took the turn for prudery (I think due to their diminished political power at that time).
...It is very interesting and ironic that in Spain, even to this day, when we want to describe something as utterly luxuriant and full of pleasures ('decadent' in English) we call it 'an Asian luxury' meaning the Arab/Turkish/Pesian world!! Obviously it must come from the time when they were in our country, before the XVI century as well as from their classic literature.


I can't wait to get hold of this book!
An anecdote: a very close friend of mine, original from Turkey, spent 15 years doing a PhD on the philosophy of leisure and pleasure....