Walker, who happens to be the daughter of The Color Purple author Alice, channelled some of her life experience to fuel her novel, published last year. It follows a 19-year-old American student travelling to Africa and falling for a young Muslim man. Their romance quickly progresses and they make plans to marry, only to come up against the brick wall of cultural and political forces.
Madonna, who is now on the lookout for a writer to craft the adaptation, is on record as a fan of the book; her name was used in adverts praising the writing. With Silver Linings Playbook producer Bruce Cohen helping her round up financing, this will likely end up shooting later this year.