The Scribe's Promise

The Scribe’s Promise is the tale of Kapriel, a shy Christian-Armenian scribe living in mid-nineteenth century Persia, who loves Mina, the sister of his Muslim neighbor, Rahma. And, although Rahma tolerates and shows some respect for Kapriel, the fact that Kapriel is not Muslim prevents him from being a suitable husband for Mina. Neither Rahma nor his family will allow their union, and Kapriel and Mina are unable to disobey her family or go against the strict religious laws without facing dire consequences.

At this time, however, the winds of change are blowing in Persia, especially with the news that a merchant of Shiraz, who calls himself “the Bab,” has begun teaching that he has brought a new revelation from God, which supersedes that of Muhammad’s. Under the Bab’s new teachings, the antiquated ways of Persia will be abolished and new ones laid down instead. Intrigued by this new promise, both Kapriel and Rahma decide to travel to find the Bab and perhaps speak to him. Their journey will create a bond between them that they never thought could have existed, and their lives will be changed forever.