Jayida, a novel of sixth century Arabia

In my sixth century historical fiction novel Jayida, the mixed-race poet ‘Antarah ends up meeting the proud Sasanian Shah Khosrow I during his travels.

Dive into this episode and more through three young adult characters living in pre-Islamic Arabia, available wherever books are sold 🙂 Amazon || Barnes & Noble || & more 🙂

Commemorating 1500 years since the massacre of Najran with my novel, Jayida

The sixth century AD and Late Antiquity overall are largely underrepresented in historical fiction, and even more so when it comes to the pre-Islamic Middle East and Arabia. One of my goals with my latest novel Jayida was to fill that gap while recreating my story (partially inspired by a small segment of Sirat ‘Antar) in a more historically accurate context.

This 2023 year marks 1500 years since the massacre of Christians in Najran by the Jewish leader Dhu Nuwas of Himyar. (Today the location is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.) It prompted international response, mainly from Negus Kaleb of Aksum–an event also described by Justinian ‘s historian, Procopius.

*Image of the Greek Martyrion of Saint Arethas (Governor of Najran) and his companions ~ from the Menologion of Emperor Basil II, X-XIth century.

In my book, Jayida–known as the boy Jonder–Khaled, and ‘Antarah increasingly feel the impact of the shattering event amidst often volatile Arabian tribal relations, along with spiritual and climatic shifts sweeping the sixth century.

Exact event dates vary but a constant is November 523 AD, with some narrowing it down to November 25, 523. The leader Al-Harith (romanized to Arethas) and other martyrs of Najran are commemorated in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, who follow the Greek-Slavic, Ethiopian and Syriac traditions. They are also venerated in the western Latin Church.

Get the book: natachapavlov.com/jayida/

Africa & Byzantium exhibit at the Met and Cleveland Museum of Art

The Africa & Byzantium exhibit is now at the Met Museum until March 3rd, 2024 before heading off to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Art history has long emphasized the glories of the Byzantine Empire (circa 330–1453), but less known are the profound artistic contributions of North Africa, Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, and other powerful African kingdoms whose pivotal interactions with Byzantium had a lasting impact on the Mediterranean world.

Bringing together a range of masterworks—from mosaic, sculpture, pottery, and metalwork to luxury objects, paintings, and religious manuscripts—this exhibition recounts Africa’s central role in international networks of trade and cultural exchange. With artworks rarely or never before seen in public, Africa & Byzantium sheds new light on the staggering artistic achievements of medieval Africa. This long-overdue exhibition highlights how the continent contributed to the development of the premodern world and offers a more complete history of the vibrant multiethnic societies of north and east Africa that shaped the artistic, economic, and cultural life of Byzantium and beyond.

I’m glad to see these regions getting their overdue attention! There’s also a catalog of the expo: https://store.metmuseum.org/africa-and-byzantium-80057839

As I’ve mentioned, my latest historical fiction novel Jayida is in the context of Arabian, Sasanian (Persian), Jewish, and Aksumite (Ethiopian) relations. Set in the pre-Islamic sixth century, this includes the explosive 523 AD massacre of Christians in Najran that marks 1500 years this year. Encouraged by Emperor Justin I, Negus Kaleb‘s ensuing incursion to offending Jewish-ruled Himyar (modern-day Yemen and southern Arabia) in defense of martyred Christian Ethiopians and Arabs reinstated Christian Ethiopian rule in the region that would last for the next 40 years. 

Would def love to see more such exhibits of this era shown far and wide! 

Introducing my new historical fiction novel Jayida

Set in sixth century pre-Islamic Arabia and surrounding regions, Jayida is the work that first made me want to write historical fiction.

Born in early 525 AD in northwest Arabia, Jayida is secretly raised as a boy for her safety. In defiance of al-‘ayn, the evil eye, she grows up as Jonder and soon becomes known for perceptiveness and bravery. But her meeting of Khaled, whose father is the reason for her unusual upbringing, turns her world upside down. Will she risk revealing her true identity and win his love? And whose lives must be sacrificed when her fame finally draws her into ‘Antarah’s quest, the mixed-race badawi-Aksumite poet of the Banu ‘Abs, whose last challenge is to capture her to win his own beloved ‘Ablah? 

This is the timely retelling of a tale of Sirat ‘Antar. Set in the 1500-year-old historical context of Arabian tribal poetry, Roman-Persian-Himyarite-Aksumite relations, and climatic and plague events recorded worldwide, this colorful era is once more revived.

More info & buy: https://natachapavlov.com/jayida/

View the book trailer with lovely music by Marga Sol:

Book trailer, Amazon, etc etc…

The Well-Loved Demon – Amazon, and other outlets now available.

As always, the most thorough info & updates will always be on the website: https://natachapavlov.com/the-well-loved-demon/

My new Christian historical fiction novel: The Well-Loved Demon

In my newest novel, The Well-Loved Demon, the elusive 18th century French monarch, Louis XV, offers a Gothic-sentimental glimpse into his life and mind. *Fun fact: 2022 marks 300 years since his coronation on October 25th, 1722.*

My awesome cover art is courtesy of Welder Wings who brought their signature twist to my ideas 🙂

GET IT HERE!

Hello & Holy Week 2019 update

Hello everyone,

Since it’s been almost 2 years to the day since I last posted here, I wanted to say hello, whether you be a subscriber or passing through!

I’d like to begin by wishing everyone a happy holiday weekend! As a (semi?) adherent to the Eastern Orthodox calendar, I have one more week of Lent fasting before the Russian/Greek Orthodox Easter finally arrives (and I eat *all* the yummy things on sight!)

6 ways to read print books affordably

There’s no shortage of books to read, which may then lead to the question of how to stick to your budget? Naturally, there’s nothing wrong with paying more / full price for books, and there are different cases where you’d want to do so. But in the event that bargains (or even hard-to-find titles) are on your mind, these 6 tips came to mind.

I note that while this list is about print books (my preferred reading method), I trust that many of these also have free and/or affordable ebook options.

How right you are, Mr. Darcy 🙂

Conscious organic skincare brand: Annmarie Gianni Skin Care

I’m grateful to be featured in Annmarie Gianni Skin Care‘s Beautiful Voices blog!

Nicola’s Leg by Natacha Pavlov : book now available

I’m SO HAPPY to announce that my latest book, Nicola’s Leg, is now available! 😀

Nikita and Natacha, of Russian nobility, flee the Russian Revolution to Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives. Thus is born my grandfather Nicola’s story: from adolescence in Eastern Europe, to serving in Egypt during World War II, to his imprisonment at the onset of Israel’s Six-Day War, his journey unfolds, eventually culminating in the loss of his legs.

Hardcover, 123 pages. Available here: http://www.natachapavlov.com/nicolas-leg

Cover art was made by Victoria Cooper Art, who creates great historical fiction book covers!