Diana Abu-Jaber's "Fencing with the King"

Diana Abu-Jaber is the award-winning author of several books of fiction and nonfiction, including Crescent and The Language of Baklava.

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Fencing With the King:

Of all my books, I think Fencing With the King might be the most “cinematic,” in the sense that there’s a lot of action, adventure, and a dramatic, even flamboyant, reliance on the Middle Eastern settings.

The story follows Amani, an American writer, as she accompanies her father, Gabe, to a duel with the King of Jordan. Amani has a secret letter from a grandmother she never knew and she is on a mission to learn what’s kept her father away from his homeland for 35 years.

I think Gabe needs to be someone who seems kind, easy-going and down to earth, and yet maybe a little bit exhausted by life. He should also give off a hint of romance and excitement – like Antonio Banderas or George Clooney—and preferably an Arab-American: Tony Shalhoub would be perfection.

I’d also love to see an Arab-American in the role of Amani – someone striking, graceful, yet smart and vulnerable. Since we’re dreaming let’s give that role to Shakira! Or Selena Gomez for a multi-culti spin.

Learn more about the writer and her work at Diana Abu-Jaber's website.

The Page 99 Test: Origin.

The Page 69 Test: Fencing with the King.

Q&A with Diana Abu-Jaber.

--Marshal Zeringue