Other reviewers have highlighted the charm of the book, with its evocation of Khayyam, the Rubiyyat and the fabled cities of the Silk Route. A wonderfully unifying novel that lifts the prejudices and fears between the east and west, and misconceptions of Iran and islamic cultures.Ī masterpiece in humanitarian understanding. The book divides into two main parts 11th century Persia and the life of Kayyam, and the late 19th and early 20th century Persia a nation trying to establish itself in the world.Ī deep lesson lies here, of the importance of democracy freedom and justice to all people, and how fragile it is against vested interests. Using the verses of Omar Kayyams Samarkand Manuscript and the turn of the century constitutional and democratic revolts and its failure due to British and Russian interference (what would we give for the democratic Iranian state today-free of religious and political tyranny?!) Maalouf weaves a wonderful tale of -appropriately-Arabian Nights proportions and educates the reader on all the historical upheavals desires and missed opportunities of the region. No one, having read this, will finish it without having a deep understanding and respect for Iran and its people, its brutal history, its identity ,which it has had very little chance in creating due to constant invasions-Turks to Mongols- or tutelege-Britain and Tsarist Russia.

He writes with fine balance and invokes a deep respect for every culture and creed he writes of. Totally different from all other writers, Maalouf never polarises. Instructions and advice on how to best do an AMA.Invoking a deep respect for Iran, Islam,democracy and Justice

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Amin maalouf samarkand roman