King Akbar’s Daughter: Stories for Everyone as Told by Noor Inayat Khan

Previously unpublished stories by the late Khan (Twenty Jataka Tales) make up this collection of original works and traditional fables, legends, and tales. With three English exceptions, the stories are presented in French, with English translations on facing pages. Sparsely detailed but filled with dialogue, the stories depend on incantatory rhythm for effect. Some familiar characters appear (Renard the Fox, the Snow Child, and Father Christmas). A few stories are original (one character is based on Scheherazade). The author’s life as a British special agent and her death at age 30 in a concentration camp during WWII are at least as fascinating and inspiring as the stories. Accompanying photographs, editor’s notes, a memory of Khan by her brother, and a bibliography will pique interest in further study of this idealistic Sufi war heroine. All ages. (June)