Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #103903 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-22
• Binding: Hardcover
• 309 pages

Synopsis
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.

Customer Reviews

best left on a sinking 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. The first half read like a bad translation of a second rate 19th century novel. The second was largely swathes of dull historical fact propped up by one dimensional cardboard cut-out characters , about whom I could not care less. Did however love the plot device of the original Rubaiyat being left on the Titanic; this is a book I'd gladly leave behind on a sinking ship.

If you like Umberto Eco...
... but get lost in the mountains of research info (or showing-off, if you like) then read Amin Maalouf. All the wonder of storytelling at it's best, this man is slowly edging out Eco as my favourite author. You will not be disappointed.

Illustration of history
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.