pbThrough the friendship of two young Franco-Iranians, iExiles from Paradisei is a novel that delves deep into the great conflict between enlightened Islam and fanaticism. b p Despite their academic achievements, Farhad and his circle of friends feel estranged from Paris, the city they grew up in, as they face prejudice from prospective employers and rejection for their Islamic culture. Searching for his roots, Farhad travels to Iran where he discovers that his ancestors fought the Assassins, the first terrorists in history. Encouraged by this glorious past and in a quest to track down a long-lost heirloom, the rare Alamut stone, Farhad follows the trail to London. His closest friend Reza is working for an Islamic charity in London, but his behaviour is becoming increasingly withdrawn, prompting fears of radicalisation. Farhad's courageous response is a hymn to bravery and ancestral values. pFirst published in France to critical acclaim, iExiles from Paradisei is a thought-provoking no