Samarkand - Brossura

Maalouf, Amin

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0349106169 ISBN 13: 9780349106168

Casa editrice: Abacus, 1994

Riassunto

A gripping historical novel set in 11th century Persia that imagines the life of poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam

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 genius, the judge decides to spare him and gives him instead a small, blank book, encouraging him to confine his thoughts to it alone.

Thus begins 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.

Su questo libro

Recensione

Maalouf has written an extraordinary book, describing the lives and times of people who have never appeared in fiction before and are unlikely to do so again. The book is far more than a simple historical novel; like the intricate embroidery of an oriental carpet it weaves back and forth through the centuries, linking the poetry, philosophy and passion of the Sufi past with modernism (Ahmed Rashid, Independent)

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)

Maalouf's fiction offers both a model for the future and a caution, a way towards cultural understanding and a appalling measure of the consequences of failure. His is a voice which Europe cannot afford to ignore. (The Guardian)

Descrizione del libro

A gripping historical novel set in 11th century Persia, about the poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Abacus
• Data di pubblicazione: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0349106169
• ISBN 13: 9780349106168
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 320