Renowned author Jeanette Winterson delves into contemporary issues through the lens of classic tales in her latest book, One Aladdin Two Lamps. The narrative juxtaposes the fantastical elements of One Thousand and One Nights with pressing global concerns such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of technology.
In the story, three adventurers discover the City of Brass, a haunting landscape littered with corpses. Winterson writes, “This is a story about climate breakdown,” setting a serious tone that permeates the narrative. The book serves as a part memoir and part polemic, weaving together personal reflections with modern retellings of ancient fables.
The narrative begins with the tale of King Shahryar, who, enraged by infidelity, decides to marry a virgin each night only to execute her the following morning. He eventually marries the vizier’s daughter, Shahrazad, who cleverly prolongs her life by captivating him with nightly stories. Winterson modernizes these tales, infusing them with commentary on societal issues.
One notable retelling involves a merchant who inadvertently kills a passer-by by discarding a date stone, prompting a spirit to demand retribution. In Winterson’s adaptation, she includes an author’s note linking the narrative to present-day debates over reproductive rights in the United States. She writes, “I say ‘those days’ because in the US at the moment there is a battle over who owns a woman’s womb and its contents.”
Despite the intriguing premise, the book often interrupts the flow of storytelling with political rants, which can frustrate readers. At times, Winterson’s critiques of contemporary society feel disjointed from the enchanting tales she attempts to retell.
Throughout the narrative, Winterson reflects on her own experiences growing up as a lesbian in a strict Pentecostal community. Her earlier work, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, adeptly blended personal narrative with religious allegory. While One Aladdin Two Lamps retains some of that sharpness, it sometimes lacks the cohesion and vibrancy that characterized her earlier writings.
Winterson juxtaposes historical figures such as Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace against modern heroes like Greta Thunberg, highlighting the need for activism in the face of climate change. She expresses admiration for Thunberg’s local grassroots efforts, asserting that such initiatives are vital for societal change.
Despite the rich tapestry of themes, the frequent interruptions for political commentary detract from the narrative’s momentum. Readers may find themselves aligning with Shahryar, eagerly awaiting the continuation of Shahrazad’s stories, while grappling with Winterson’s assertions on the state of the world.
In conclusion, One Aladdin Two Lamps is a complex exploration of modern dilemmas through the framework of ancient narratives. While Winterson’s insights are poignant, the execution may leave some readers yearning for a more seamless integration of storytelling and social critique. The book, published by Jonathan Cape, is available for £18.99.
