UMM KULTHUM

In spite of sexism, the singer also known as “Egypt’s Fourth Pyramid” built a storied career with her voice and integrity.

Growing up in a village where few families believed in educating their daughters, Umm Kulthum (1898-1975), who was named after a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, defied expectations early by memorizing the Qur’an. Described as “no ordinary girl,” she became known across the countryside for her resonant voice. She appears here with a large head that’s disproportionate to her body and a face that betrays every emotion. In full-bleed, double-page illustrated spreads, bright lights and dark shadows present realistic scenes with abstract whimsy, an approach that’s by turns affecting and off-putting. The cartoony facial expressions are an odd complement to the text’s length and seriousness. Still, the fascinating dimensions of Umm Kulthum’s life journey keep the story engaging, while the narrative’s thoughtful context provides down-to-earth perspectives of Arabs’ joys and struggles against colonial rule. Desert tones and Egyptian motifs pay homage to the culture Umm Kulthum so glorified with her classical religious music and “traditional ways.” A primer on Arabic instruments, a note about the author’s own connection to the singer, and a bibliography offer excellent jumping-off points for interested readers. They’ll also want to search for a recipe of Umm Kulthum’s favorite dessert, “a milky, creamy, heavenly pudding called muhalabiyah.”

A well-crafted biography of a lesser-known singer who deserves many more tributes.