- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1 edition (Dec 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312284187
- ISBN-13: 978-0312284183
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.2 x 2.3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 892,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A Captivating & Wonderful Book
28 Dec 2002
Format:Hardcover
The story was captivating and the characters were so well developed that you could sympathize with all of them. It is written with such beautiful prose that any chapter, page or paragraph can be taken out of context and enjoyed on its own. I am recommending this book to all of my friends and I eagerly await Horch's next work.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A true new talent....
28 Jan 2003
Format:Hardcover
I really love this book. It is amazing how Horch gets inside the head of his protagonist- so convincing and moving. The love story and the fascinating historical context really make this a gem. I highly reccomend this book. I also think it would make a great movie...
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
A great tale
7 Jan 2004
Format:Paperback
In the ninth century in the City of Peace (Baghdad for ye unfaithful) elderly alchemist Abulhassan is confronted with a dilemma. A confidant of his chess partner and best friend the Sultan, Abulhassan has been asked by the Prince of Persia, who he mentored like a son, to aid young love. The Prince and the sultan's favorite mistress, the independent Shemselnehar, have fallen in love. They know that if they are to share happiness they must flee to the Western Kingdoms of the vast empire. Only the alchemist has a chance to get them out of town, but he would have to risk his life and betray his friend.
Abulhassan believes they ask too much of him as he knows that the chances of success are nil with so many informers lining the city. Still he reflects on his own life and knows he has not treated his own family with the love and nurturing people deserve. Because of his guilt at his own failures, Abulhassan decides to assist the young lovers in their attempt to find happiness together.
This is a great tale filled with a very exciting but rocky path towards freedom as the plan does not implement smoothly. The prime trio is unique individuals each facing remorse yet embracing love. Insight into early Islam and Dark Ages alchemy adds a deep historical base to the tale to include how much light existed in the so called Dark Ages in the Persian Empire. Readers will appreciate this strong historical tale of star-crossed lovers risking all for love.
Harriet Klausner
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Historical
- Books > Fiction > Literary Fiction
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
