Soft core pornography or historical fiction? With the on again off again publishing status of Spokane writer Sherry Jones’ now infamous THE JEWEL OF MEDINA (Beaufort Books), those hoping to make up their own mind by purchasing a copy on Monday had better first call ahead to check whether the book is being stocked. I found it listed at independent bookstores around me. Amazon currently lists it as unavailable. Barnes and Noble announced earlier that it will carry the book…”shelved in our hardcover new release fiction section.”

Update: 10/7/08 Laurel Maury for the LA Times writes, “I can’t say whether, from a religious point of view, “The Jewel of Medina” is worth the anguish it’s caused, but as literature, it’s a misstep-ridden, pleasant-enough mediocrity.”