Customer Reviews

Noor-un-nisa Inayat Khan (Madeline)

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I have read both this book and the Shrebani Basu book "Spy Princess" "Spy Princess" is very good, but this book is THE book to read if you want to know the story of this extraordinary woman. Noor-un-nisa Inayat Khan should be sainted, and in making her a saint, the world would have to recognize that sometimes goodness transcends religions. She lived and died the Sufi faith, but she also embraced self-sacrifice with the same type of selflessness that Jesus did. This story shows some excellent research on the part of Jean Overton Fuller, who treats her friend with love and dedication, even as she shows how Noor was really quite naievely idealistic. Still, in moments that demanded absolute heroism, Noor showed it, and left me wondering if I could be so brave. This book is worth the money. Don't loan it out once you get it.

I have read this book over and over many times since I purchased it in 1993. Jean Overton Fuller, being a friend of Noor's, has been able to present us with Noor's extraordinary sensibilities and depth of character as the foundation for her SOI mission in France. Noor's character of goodness, courage, idealism and integrity is movingly conveyed as she undertakes her mission in occupied France as an undercover agent for the French Section. In 1943, she held the only wireless post in Paris for the 3 1/2 months that she was able operate before being arrested and executed by the Gestapo. Her story is riveting, not only because of her extreme courage and dedication but also by her sense of self sacrifice and idealism. I re-read this book when I need inspiration. Noor-un-nisa is a rare soul, who, in other contexts could be considered a "saint"; considering her deep spiritual nature and heritage. Her mission was a personal initiation and I would call Noor an adept of the highest rank. I have not read the other biography that is in print of Noor, but I fully appreciate Jean Overton Fuller's depth of perception as she understood the magnitude of Noor's Sufi heritage, not as a "princess" but as an heir to a profound spiritual lineage of which her father, Hazrat Inayat Khan was a great Sufi master who brought Sufism to the West and her brother, Vilayat Inayat Khan, who carried on the lineage to the United States, creating the Omega Institute in upstate New York.
The book also contains Noor's horoscope with and a quite sensitive 'reading' by Ms Fuller, also an accomplished astrologer. The author's own spiritual background, as well as being a close friend of Noor's has enabled her to present Noor's story with a remarkable insight and depth.
I highly recommend this book, despite it's price. It's a book to keep.