THE WISHLESS ONES

An exploration of the origins of Jafar, the iconic villain from Disney’s Aladdin, that offers readers a backstory of tragedy and moral conflict.

The story unfolds through alternating chapters from the third-person perspectives of Jafar and his younger brother, Rohan. Growing up in poverty, Jafar takes on the burden of providing for his family, often turning to theft. Despite his efforts, he bears the brunt of his father’s disdain, which only worsens after the boys’ mother’s death. Although Baba’s business eventually grows, and he and his boys enjoy a rich abundance, his abuse of Jafar continues. Jafar has an escape plan: He hopes to win a scholarship to study at the prestigious House of Wisdom in the kingdom of Maghriz. Baba’s parrot, Iago, reveals to Jafar that his father had sabotaged this ambition, leading Jafar to make a fateful decision that sets him on a dark path. As the brothers journey to Maghriz, a devastating rift develops between them. The novel’s strength lies in its portrayal of Arab culture, which avoids cliches, but it falters due to inconsistent character development and a disjointed tone that oscillates in maturity level. While the fresh perspective on Jafar’s descent into darkness is intriguing, the examination of what makes a villain remains shallow, never fully delving into the complexities of the issues of familial duty and the nature of evil that the story raises.

A tale with cultural depth that ultimately falls short in characterization.