If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran
SKU: 7850806753

If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran

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If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the QuranPULITZER PRIZE FINALIST NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST Named A Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and The Denver Post Praised by Fareed Zakaria as "intelligent, compassionate, and revealing," a powerful journey to help bridge one of the greatest divides shaping our world today. If the Oceans Were Ink is Carla Power's eye opening story of how she and her longtime friend Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi found a way to confront ugly stereotypes and

PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST - NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST - Named A Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and The Denver Post - Praised by Fareed Zakaria as "intelligent, compassionate, and revealing," a powerful journey to help bridge one of the greatest divides shaping our world today.

If the Oceans Were Ink is Carla Power's eye-opening story of how she and her longtime friend Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi found a way to confront ugly stereotypes and persistent misperceptions that were cleaving their communities. Their friendship-between a secular American and a madrasa-trained sheikh-had always seemed unlikely, but now they were frustrated and bewildered by the battles being fought in their names. Both knew that a close look at the Quran would reveal a faith that preached peace and not mass murder; respect for women and not oppression. And so they embarked on a yearlong journey through the controversial text.

A journalist who grew up in the Midwest and the Middle East, Power offers her unique vantage point on the Quran's most provocative verses as she debates with Akram at cafes, family gatherings, and packed lecture halls, conversations filled with both good humor and powerful insights. Their story takes them to madrasas in India and pilgrimage sites in Mecca, as they encounter politicians and jihadis, feminist activists and conservative scholars. Armed with a new understanding of each other's worldviews, Power and Akram offer eye-opening perspectives, destroy long-held myths, and reveal startling connections between worlds that have seemed hopelessly divided for far too long.

Praise for If the Oceans Were Ink

"A vibrant tale of a friendship.... If the Oceans Were Ink is a welcome and nuanced look at Islam and] goes a long way toward combating the dehumanizing stereotypes of Muslims that are all too common.... If the Oceans Were Ink should be mandatory reading for the 52 percent of Americans who admit to not knowing enough about Muslims."--The Washington Post

"Journalist Power writes about her year studying the Quran with a Muslim scholar she befriended while working at a think tank in London. For some, this will be a strong introduction to Islam. To others, it's fodder for discussion on the Sheikh's views, how Westerners (such as Power) interpret those views and the interplay of culture and religion." --The Denver Post

"For all those who wonder what Islam says about war and peace, men and women, Jews and gentiles, this is the book to read. It is a conversation among well-meaning friends--intelligent, compassionate, and revealing--the kind that needs to be taking place around the world."--Fareed Zakaria, author of The Post-American World

"Carla Power's intimate portrait of the Quran, told with nuance and great elegance, captures the extraordinary, living debate over the Muslim holy book's very essence. A spirited, compelling read."--Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad

"An inspiring story of two people] from different worlds who refuse to let religious and cultural differences, prejudice, and ignorance get in the way of their friendship, If the Oceans Were Ink is as thought-provoking as it is elegantly written. It takes a difficult, highly charged topic and puts it into terms that are not only understandable and eye-opening, but beautiful."--Bustle (11 Beautifully Written Memoirs by Women)

"Unique, masterful, and deeply engaging. Carla Power takes the reader on an extraordinary journey in interfaith understanding as she debates and discovers the Quran's message, meaning, and values on peace and violence, gender and veiling, religious pluralism and tolerance."--John L. Esposito, University Professor and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University, and author of The Future of Islam

"A thoughtful, provocative, intelligent book."--Diana Abu-Jaber, author of Birds Of Paradise and The Language of Baklava

"With a journalist's mind for the story, a born traveler's heart for the adventure of crossing borders, and a seeker's yen for the poetry and mysticism of belief, Power creates an exceptional record of a timeless quest."--Merritt Tierce, a National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree and author of Love Me Back



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Holt McDougal
Published: 04/07/2015
ISBN: 9780805098198
Pages: 352
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.90d
Award: National Book Awards - Finalist

Review Citations: Booklist 03/01/2015 pg. 6
Library Journal Prepub Alert 11/15/2014 pg. 65
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2015
Publishers Weekly 01/26/2015
Library Journal 03/01/2015 pg. 92
Shelf Awareness 04/10/2015
Library Journal 11/15/2014
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SKU: 7850806753

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Melissa Applegate
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Strong Suction Cups
Color: Silver
I didn't realize that this caddy came with the option to use suction cups or adhesive hooks. I opted for the suction cups and was pleasantly surprised at their strength. I loaded the caddy up with a couple of sponges, fingernail brush, and a dishwashing brush (filled with liquid soap) and have had no problems with the caddy remaining strongly secured. It's a great little organizer and looks really nice.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2025
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Kristen L. Mitchell
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
GREAT Suction!! Looks fantastic!
Color: Silver, Color: Silver
I wanted to find a sponge holder with great suction for our ceramic sink. This is the REAL DEAL! I saw one or two complaints on the reviews below but obviously they are doing something wrong, because if you just follow the instructions (make sure the sink is clean and dry where you stick it), it works perfectly. I've had it for about 3 weeks now and we use it every single day and it has never slipped even once. The suction cups are big and made of good plastic so they really do the job. It hasn't budged from the spot where I placed it. It's also easy to take the caddy off of the suction cups when you want to clean the sink without moving the suction cups. You can peel them off easily and reposition them but they will not move unless you want them too. It's also the perfect size and looks great. Perfect for holding a stick sponge upright so that the soap doesn't leak out of it.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2020
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SonicHog
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Great product. Suction can be improved though.
Color: Silver
I'm satisfied with my purchase. It gets the job done. The suction pads can definitely be improved though, I found that pads couldn't keep the holder in place for more than an hour so I just removed the suction pads and kept it beside my sink. Overall, great product. Would definitely recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
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Timothy Jeandrevin
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
It actually sticks to the sink and stays where it is supposed to. Well made. We love it!
Color: Silver
Finely, a sink caddy that actually sticks to the sink! We have been so frustrated trying to find one that does. This one is great. We just used the suction cups, which are large and there are 3 of them. If finely actually stays there!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026
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Beth
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Works & Looks Great!
This item comes with two options for sticking to the sink, suction cups & an adhesive thing. I decided to try the suction cups first, that way I can remove them to clean, plus I wanted to test out the position of where I put it on the sink. They work great! I haven’t had to re-stick not once. Great staying power! And it looks really good! Also, the seller sent a follow-up message just to check in & offer answers if any questions arose. That meant the world to me, like it’s not every day a seller cares what you think once money changes hands. 10/10 would recommend!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024

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