Do you believe that Hasan is a reliable or an unreliable narrator? Do you think Amin Maalouf wishes you to view Hasan’s reliability one way or the other? Why or why not?

The story is told from Hasan’s point of view. Choose a scene with a character whose point of view we do not get to see. How do you think that scene would go if it were told from his or her perspective?

One of the themes of the novel is the power even someone of low standing, such as a slave woman like Warda or Hiba, can hold in this society. Do you agree with this analysis? Do you think other women in the story like Salma, Maddalena, Princess Nur, or Gaudy Sarah can be said to have and exercise power?