Samarkand
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Product Description
Review
Maalouf's descriptions of the courts, the bazaar, the lives of mystics, kings and lovers are woven into an evocative and languid prose...and extraordinary book (INDEPENDENT )
An example of the best type of historical fiction (TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT )
An example of the best type of historical fiction (TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT )
Product Description
Accused of mocking the inviolate codes of Islam, the Persian poet and sage Omar Khayyam fortuitously finds sympathy with the very man who is to judge his alleged crimes. Recognising genuis, the judge decides to spare him and gives him instead a small, blank book, encouraging him to confine his thoughts to it alone. Thus beginds the seamless blend of fact and fiction that is Samarkand. Vividly re-creating the history of the manuscript of the Rubaiyaat of Omar Khayyam, Amin Maalouf spans continents and centuries with breathtaking vision: the dusky exoticism of 11th-century Persia, with its poetesses and assassins; the same country's struggles nine hundred years later, seen through the eyes of an American academic obsessed with finding the original manuscript ; and the fated maiden voyage of the Titanic, whose tragedy led to the Rubaiyaat's final resting place - all are brought to life with keen assurance by this gifted and award-winning writer.
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First Sentence
Sometimes in Samarkand, in the evening of a slow and dreary day, city dwellers would come to while the time away at the dead-end Street of Two Taverns, near the pepper market. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Sometimes in Samarkand, in the evening of a slow and dreary day, city dwellers would come to while the time away at the dead-end Street of Two Taverns, near the pepper market. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Samarkand is a lust and a must for everyone with an interest in the history of the Islamic world. Set against the background of 10th century Persia, invading Turks, the sekt of the Assassins and the fading of Islam as a quite liberal religion Malouf not writes but depicts his story. Knowing a bit of the history of the region and the backgrounds of Islam helps. Samarkand is a wonderful gate into a world so many people nowadays unrightfully fear.
18 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had high expectations when I started reading this since I had already read Leo Africanus and The Crusades Through Arab Eyes and loved them. The book is a great introduction to Omar Khayyam and his quatrains although it is a historical "novel". It gives you quite an education on a number of ancient historical figures and major events. Examples are the Mongol Empire and the sect of the Assassins. I was particularly interested in the Assassins where the modern use of the word comes from and a major part of the story deals with them. I would recommend it to anyone who relishes history and a good read.
23 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A remarkable, beautifully written peace of work - both rich in its language and detail, and enlightening in its content.
The novel presents us with great insights into the history of the middle east and allows us to see why there are so many hatreds between the "east" and the "west". Yet he also shows, with his brilliant merging of fact and fiction, that in the deep philosophies of life, there need not be so many differences between the cultures afterall.
Moreover, he does this in a way that is extremely fascinating and readable - it is truly difficult to put the book down once it is in your hands.
Maalouf makes the ancient world come to life in front of your eyes with his vivid descriptions and characterisation. Truly brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Almost Life-Changing
I have (had?) no interest in the history of Persia or Turkey, but was advised by a friend that this was a good book. This book is so good. Read more
Published 25 days ago by miseryguts1
very pleasant reading
it was very pleasant to read. i didnt understand how i finished it.
plus it travels u nicely to other centuries and the story of the people, the customs, governors etc. Read more
plus it travels u nicely to other centuries and the story of the people, the customs, governors etc. Read more
Published 12 months ago by leonidas z
Smarkand
An entertaining fictional account of the life and times of Omar Kayham set against the historical background of the Seljuk Turks. Read more
Published 20 months ago by BruTam
Beautiful Tale
This book was my first tast of Maalouf having come across it for a 90% discount in the Borders closing down tale. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by release the cure
Amin Maalouf - Samarkand
Samarkand
Engaging through out.
Maalouf presents a novel in different historical periods connected them in a very beautiful way. Read more
Engaging through out.
Maalouf presents a novel in different historical periods connected them in a very beautiful way. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Fidaa H. Nasser
The first half is fab - 5 stars, the second half disappointing...
I was hooked by the first couple of paragaphs and loved the first story about Omar, [I could have done with a family tree, or a diagram of how everyone was linked to one another... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2009 by Muppet
Best left on a sinkign ship
I had to read this for a book group and thought it was one of the most stupendously tedious and pretentious books I'd come across in a long time. Read more
Published on 17 July 2005 by caitlin
If you like Umberto Eco...
... but get lost in the mountains of research info (or showing-off, if you like) then read Amin Maalouf. Read more
Published on 5 July 2004 by A. B. Tessier
Delightful story, but where is the rest of it?
Great books don't have to be physically big books but this was a story that I felt could have reached an epic scale without ever being dull. Read more
Published on 10 July 2001
Enchanted work highly recommended
I found this book hard work in the first few pages but by the end of chapter one I had entered the enchanted world of medieval Islam complete with schisms, love, murder and poetry... Read more
Published on 24 May 2000 by sjacobs@uk.constellar.com
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