Tumult in Mecca

I have written a novel.

It’s titled Tumult in Mecca, as most of the action occurs in Saudi Arabia and culminates in Mecca.

However, it’s not a book about religion.

It’s a book about how chance, fortune, coincidence and serendipitous opportunities may affect your life and send you in a different direction than the one you had in mind as you started your first job.

The narrative

Tumult in Mecca unfolds in Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in the second half of 1979.

The protagonist, baby boomer Henrik Bertelsen, works as an economist in the Ministry of Labour in Copenhagen, grappling with the country’s significant economic issues at the time. Twice a week, he lectures in macroeconomics at the local university.

As the pace slows down in the ministry over the summer and the university students are off, Henrik gets involved in a business venture in Saudi Arabia through his older brother, Jakob. Mistakenly, they are invited to bid on renovating five hospital kitchens in a provincial town east of Mecca and operating them for ten years.

The two brothers soon find themselves in deep water. They know nothing about hospital kitchens. Nevertheless, they complete the task to the Saudis’ utmost satisfaction and are invited to participate in more projects.

Enticed by the adventure and a substantial amount of money, they continue working after the summer break. However, they soon realise that the culture and business conditions in this part of the Middle East are entirely different from those in Denmark, and due to their already full-time jobs, they need to leave the projects.

But it’s not that simple.

Fortunately, Prime Minister Anker Jørgensen calls an election, and as the ministry’s pace slows down again, Henrik and his brother believe they can tie up the loose ends of the projects and withdraw.

While back in Denmark, preparing a presentation for the Saudi Ministry of Health, Henrik is offered a job at a large American computer company. This opportunity does not fit with his career plan, but his interest is piqued by the potential for a substantial salary increase, especially given his experience with Saudi projects. The extra income would be helpful, as he and his English wife, Samantha, are in the midst of two costly endeavours: establishing a co-housing community and adopting a child from Indonesia.

After presenting what they expect to be the final report to the Saudi Ministry of Health, Henrik and his brother are invited to consult on a project at the University of Mecca. They do not want to miss this opportunity, but as non-Muslims, they are not allowed to enter the city. The issue was resolved, and early one November morning in 1979, just before sunrise, they positioned themselves on a hilltop just outside the Grand Mosque, awaiting the start of the morning prayer. According to the Muslim lunar calendar, it is the first day of the 14th century, and anticipation fills the air.

Then all hell breaks loose.

I won’t reveal more, but like the rest of the book, it’s quite an adventure.

Is the book an autobiography?

The short answer is no. The book falls into the genre known as autofiction, meaning it is rooted in autobiography, but the events, institutions, and characters may be fictional. Readers will find a historically realistic framework, which I present as biographically accurate as possible. Within this setting, characters navigate and create or encounter fictional events.

However, everything in the book is plausible and could have happened in reality.

Why did I write the book?

First and foremost, I aimed to tell a series of unusual and exciting stories. Henrik and his brother’s project in Saudi Arabia is the first, but I have more in the pipeline. My goal was for the book to fulfil the need for an engaging read in a business setting.

However, there is also a more profound message, perhaps several. I dedicated the book to the Danish community model, which has been and continues to be the framework of my life. Denmark’s political system and culture are perfectly suited to someone like me. (No surprise, as I was born and raised here!) The country has invested in me—I received a university education, only paying for room and board. We have a wonderful informal culture and trust each other.

It’s easy to do business in Denmark, at least the type I run, and we have unspoken rules and ethics that protect us from exploitation and abuse. I’m not saying it’s perfect and can’t be improved, but in the first book, “Tumult in Mecca,” the contrast with a religious autocracy is clear. Henrik’s wife would never dream of setting foot in Saudi Arabia, and he also faces challenges with Saudi culture and business practices.

What will you gain from reading it?

I hope you will spend some pleasant and exciting hours with Henrik Bertelsen. Depending on your age, the book will either refresh your memory of that era or teach you something new. You will also encounter Henrik’s definition of the good life, which isn’t about wealth and fame but about unexplored adventures and genuine social relationships.

Henrik realises early on that happiness and well-being are closely tied to his physical condition and his relationships with others. He quickly learns to distinguish between what he can influence and what he cannot. Moreover, he is willing to take risks, making him like a cork that quickly rises to the surface after being hit by a torpedo. And he faces many of those challenges.

Who should read the book?

The book is a multifaceted narrative intertwining personal, cultural, business, and historical themes. Thus, anyone who enjoys reading Ken Follett, Jan Guillou, Jeffrey Archer, Ken Kesey and Wilbur Smith will like this book. Anyone who likes reading biographies and contemporary history will enjoy Tumult in Mecca.

It’s based on a true story, as they say 🙂

Those interested in the late 1970s will appreciate the vivid depiction of this era, providing a nostalgic or educational glimpse into the past. It is also ideal for readers who enjoy exploring different cultures and societies.

With settings ranging from a Danish co-housing community to Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, the book provides a rich tapestry of locations and adventures that will appeal to those who love travel and exploration.

The discussion of modern work-life balance threaded throughout the narrative will resonate with readers who are navigating or reflecting on their professional and personal lives.

The detailed depiction of legal proceedings for adopting a child in Indonesia adds a layer of intrigue for those interested in legal dramas or adoption processes.

The whimsical and somewhat inadvertent events unfolding, and a narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns are perfect for readers who enjoy stories that defy predictability.

The ideological debates and multifaceted themes make this book an excellent choice for group discussions, providing ample material for varied perspectives and in-depth conversation.

Given the author’s background and interests, it is likely that professionals and enthusiasts in international business development might find the book’s exploration of cultural and business dynamics particularly relevant and insightful.

Overall, Tumult in Mecca offers a rich and engaging read for a diverse audience, blending personal journeys with broader social and cultural themes.

Where can it be purchased?

When it is released in September this year (2024), it will be available in bookshops and online portals worldwide as a paperback, e-book, and audiobook. It may also be available for loan at libraries.

Sign up now for your copy and enjoy some entertaining hours with Henrik Bertelsen and his brother while they embark on their remarkable and unbelievable adventure in Saudi Arabia.

What others say about the book

An ideological debate and a whimsical adventure.

As soon as you turn the first page of “Tumult in Mecca,” the stage is set for an ideological debate and a whimsical adventure. The book offers a breakdown of the now-modern work-life balance, a vivid depiction of the late 1970s, and a cultural clash of epic proportions that is both entertaining and upsetting. Readers are invited to coffee in a Danish co-housing community, taken on a journey to Saudi Arabia and join the legal proceedings for adopting a child in Indonesia. All this unfolds somewhat inadvertently and tumultuously.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  Louise Trankjær

A baby boomers tale

Henrik Bertelsen is a child of the ’60s who seeks to balance his ideals with his appetite for adventure. Building a co-housing community and adopting a child are costly, and money must be made. His reflections, quirky analyses, and practical approach to his work at the ministry and the project in the Middle East make for a highly entertaining narrative.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  Tine Curtis

An engaging and multifaceted narrative

“Tumult in Mecca” is an engaging and multifaceted narrative set in Denmark, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia during the latter half of 1979. The story follows Henrik Bertelsen, an economist and lecturer in Copenhagen, as he ventures into an unexpected business opportunity in Saudi Arabia through his brother, Jakob. Their accidental involvement in renovating hospital kitchens leads to a series of challenging yet successful projects, despite their initial inexperience.

The narrative captures the cultural and business complexities the brothers face in the Middle East, highlighting the stark differences from their familiar Danish environment. Henrik’s journey is further complicated by his responsibilities back home, including his career, the establishment of a co-housing community, and the adoption process of a child from Indonesia.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Henrik and Jakob find themselves near the Grand Mosque in Mecca on the eve of a significant historical event, adding a layer of suspense and unpredictability to their adventure.

“Tumult in Mecca” combines elements of historical fiction, business development, cultural exploration, and personal growth, making it a compelling read for those interested in these themes.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  Per Pedersen

This article was posed first on the BOOX Publishing blog.