Amin Maalouf's Samarkand: A Captivating Journey through Time and Space in EPUB Format
Amin Maalouf Samarkand epub download
If you are looking for a captivating historical novel that blends fiction and reality, poetry and adventure, love and destiny, you might want to read Samarkand by Amin Maalouf. And if you want to read it in a convenient and portable way, you might want to download it in epub format. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Samarkand and how to download it in epub format.
amin maalouf samarkand epub download
The plot of Samarkand
Samarkand is a novel by the French-Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf, published in 1988. The novel consists of two parts that are set in different times and places, but are connected by a common thread: the manuscript of the Rubaiyat, a collection of poems by the 11th-century Persian poet Omar Khayyam.
The first part of the novel takes place in Persia during the 11th and 12th centuries. It tells the story of Omar Khayyam, a poet, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who lived in turbulent times marked by political intrigues, religious conflicts, and social unrest. Khayyam wrote his poems on various topics such as love, wine, nature, and fate, expressing his skepticism, hedonism, and humanism. He also had a passionate love affair with Jahan Khatun, a princess who was married to his friend and patron Malik Shah. Khayyam's poems were collected by his disciple Hassan Sabbah, who later became the leader of the Assassins, a secret sect that opposed the Seljuk dynasty. Sabbah hid the manuscript of the Rubaiyat in his fortress of Alamut, where it remained for centuries.
The second part of the novel takes place in Europe and America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It tells the story of Benjamin O. Lesage, a French scholar who became obsessed with finding the original manuscript of the Rubaiyat. Lesage traveled to Persia, where he met a mysterious woman named Shirin, who claimed to be a descendant of Khayyam and Jahan. She gave him a copy of the manuscript, which he brought back to France. However, the manuscript was stolen by a Russian diplomat, who sold it to an American millionaire. Lesage followed the trail of the manuscript across the Atlantic, where he boarded the Titanic, hoping to recover it. The fate of the manuscript and its owners was then sealed by the tragic sinking of the ship.
The themes of Samarkand
Samarkand is a novel that explores various themes that are relevant to both the past and the present. Some of the main themes are:
Poetry: The novel celebrates the beauty and power of poetry, especially the Rubaiyat, which are considered as one of the masterpieces of world literature. The novel shows how poetry can express the deepest emotions, thoughts, and aspirations of human beings, as well as challenge the established norms and values of society. The novel also shows how poetry can transcend time and space, and connect different cultures and generations.
History: The novel depicts the historical events and contexts that shaped the lives and destinies of the characters, such as the Seljuk Empire, the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, the French Revolution, the First World War, and the Titanic disaster. The novel also reflects on the role of history in shaping human identity and memory, as well as the importance of preserving and transmitting historical heritage.
Love: The novel portrays various forms and expressions of love, such as romantic love, platonic love, familial love, and spiritual love. The novel also explores the challenges and conflicts that love can face, such as social barriers, political rivalries, religious differences, and personal choices. The novel also illustrates how love can inspire courage, sacrifice, loyalty, and creativity.
Destiny: The novel questions the concept of destiny and free will, and how they affect human actions and outcomes. The novel shows how some characters believe in fate and accept it as inevitable, while others try to change it or escape from it. The novel also shows how some events seem to be predetermined by cosmic forces or divine interventions, while others seem to be random or coincidental.
The reception of Samarkand
Samarkand was well received by critics and readers alike when it was published in 1988. It won several literary awards, such as the Prix Maison de la Presse in France and the Premio Mediterraneo in Italy. It was also translated into many languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. It was praised for its rich and captivating storytelling, its historical accuracy and authenticity, its poetic language and style, its cultural diversity and sensitivity, and its philosophical depth and relevance.
Some of the positive reviews of Samarkand are:
"A thrilling adventure story that is also a dazzling evocation of a vanished world." - The Guardian
"A magnificent feat of imagination that brings alive a whole civilization." - The Times
"A splendid blend of history, romance, philosophy, and poetry." - The Washington Post
The legacy of Samarkand
Samarkand is a novel that has influenced other works and popular culture in various ways. Some examples are:
Literature: Samarkand inspired other novels that deal with similar themes or settings, such as The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
Film: Samarkand was adapted into a movie in 1991 by Iranian director Ali Hatami. The movie starred Parviz Parastui as Omar Khayyam and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Jahan Khatun. The movie was praised for its visual beauty and faithful representation of the novel.
How to download Samarkand epub
If you want to read Samarkand in a convenient and portable way, you might want to download it in epub format. Epub is a popular ebook format that can be read on various devices and applications. In this section, we will guide you on how to download Samarkand epub in a few simple steps.
What is an epub file?
Epub stands for electronic publication. It is a file format that can store text, images, audio, video, and interactive elements in a single file. Epub files have the extension .epub and can be opened by various devices and applications that support this format. Epub files are convenient because they can adjust to different screen sizes and orientations, allowing the reader to customize the font size, style, and layout. Epub files are also compatible with most ebook readers and online platforms.
Where to find Samarkand epub?
There are many websites that offer free or paid downloads of Samarkand epub. However, not all of them are reliable or legal. Some of them may contain viruses, malware, or spam. Some of them may also violate the copyright of the author or the publisher. Therefore, you should be careful and choose only reputable and trustworthy websites that provide high-quality and safe downloads of Samarkand epub.
Here are some of the websites that we recommend for downloading Samarkand epub:
Free download websites
Name
Link
Pros
Cons
Internet Archive
https://archive.org/details/samarkandaminmaalouf
- A non-profit digital library that provides free access to millions of books, movies, music, and more.- No registration or payment required.- Supports multiple formats, including epub.
- The quality and accuracy of the files may vary.- The download speed may be slow.- The website may not be available in some countries or regions.
OceanofPDF
https://oceanofpdf.com/authors/amin-maalouf/pdf-epub-samarkand-download/
- A website that provides free downloads of various books in PDF and EPUB formats.- No registration or payment required.- Provides a brief summary and details of the book.
- The website may contain ads or pop-ups.- The quality and accuracy of the files may vary.- The website may not be legal or authorized by the author or the publisher.
Paid download websites
Name
Link
Pros
Cons
Amazon Kindle Store
https://www.amazon.com/Samarkand-Amin-Maalouf-ebook/dp/B005OQH0XQ
- A website that sells ebooks for Amazon Kindle devices and applications.- Provides high-quality and authorized files.- Supports multiple formats, including epub.- Provides customer reviews and ratings.
- Requires registration and payment.- The price may vary depending on the country or region.- The file may have DRM (digital rights management) protection that limits its use or sharing.
Barnes & Noble Nook Store
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/samarkand-amin-maalouf/1100619118?ean=9781611453587
- A website that sells ebooks for Barnes & Noble Nook devices and applications.- Provides high-quality and authorized files.- Supports multiple formats, including epub.- Provides customer reviews and ratings.
- Requires registration and payment.- The price may vary depending on the country or region.- The file may have DRM (digital rights management) protection that limits its use or sharing.
How to open Samarkand epub?
Once you have downloaded Samarkand epub, you need to open it with a device or an application that can read epub files. There are many devices and applications that can do that, but not all of them are compatible or convenient. Some of them may have limited features, poor performance, or high costs. Therefore, you should choose the device or the application that suits your needs and preferences.
Here are some of the devices and applications that we recommend for opening Samarkand epub:
Devices that can open epub files
Name
Features
Price
Amazon Kindle
- A popular and widely used ebook reader device.- Has a high-resolution and glare-free display.- Has a long battery life and large storage capacity.- Supports various formats, including epub.- Allows access to the Amazon Kindle Store and other online services.
$89.99 - $249.99
Barnes & Noble Nook
- A popular and widely used ebook reader device.- Has a high-resolution and glare-free display.- Has a long battery life and large storage capacity.- Supports various formats, including epub.- Allows access to the Barnes & Noble Nook Store and other online services.
$129.99 - $199.99
Kobo eReader
- A popular and widely used ebook reader device.- Has a high-resolution and glare-free display.- Has a long battery life and large storage capacity.- Supports various formats, including epub.- Allows access to the Kobo Store and other online services.
$89.99 - $279.99
Apple iPad
- A popular and widely used tablet device.- Has a high-resolution and multi-touch display.- Has a long battery life and large storage capacity.- Supports various formats, including epub.- Allows access to the Apple Books app and other online services.
$329 - $999
Samsung Galaxy Tab
- A popular and widely used tablet device.- Has a high-resolution and multi-touch display.- Has a long battery life and large storage capacity.- Supports various formats, including epub.- Allows access to the Google Play Books app and other online services.
$149.99 - $649.99
Personal computer (PC)
Applications that can open epub files
Name
Features
Price
Calibre
- A popular and widely used ebook management application.- Can open, edit, convert, and organize epub files and other ebook formats.- Can sync with various devices and online services.- Has various customization and annotation options.
Free
Adobe Digital Editions
- A popular and widely used ebook reader application.- Can open, read, and transfer epub files and other ebook formats.- Can sync with various devices and online services.- Has various customization and annotation options.
Free
FBReader
- A popular and widely used ebook reader application.- Can open, read, and organize epub files and other ebook formats.- Can sync with various devices and online services.- Has various customization and annotation options.
Free
iBooks
- A popular and widely used ebook reader application for Apple devices.- Can open, read, and organize epub files and other ebook formats.- Can sync with various devices and online services.- Has various customization and annotation options.
Free
Google Play Books
Free
Conclusion
Samarkand is a novel that will take you on a journey through time and space, from the ancient Persia to the modern Europe and America, from the poetry of Omar Khayyam to the tragedy of the Titanic. It is a novel that will make you think about the meaning of life, love, history, and destiny. It is a novel that you will enjoy reading and re-reading.
If you want to read Samarkand in a convenient and portable way, you can download it in epub format from various websites. However, you should be careful and choose only reputable and trustworthy websites that provide high-quality and safe downloads of Samarkand epub. You should also choose the device or the application that suits your needs and preferences for opening Samarkand epub.
We hope that this article has helped you to learn more about Samarkand and how to download it in epub format. We also hope that you will enjoy reading this amazing novel by Amin Maalouf.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about Samarkand:
Q: Who is Amin Maalouf?A: Amin Maalouf is a French-Lebanese writer who was born in Beirut in 1949. He worked as a journalist and editor before becoming a novelist. He has written several novels, essays, and biographies that reflect his multicultural background and interests. He has won several awards, such as the Prix Goncourt and the Prince of Asturias Award. He is also a member of the Académie Française.
Q: Who is Omar Khayyam?A: Omar Khayyam is a Persian poet, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who was born in Nishapur in 1048. He is best known for his Rubaiyat, a collection of quatrains that express his views on life, love, wine, nature, and fate. He also made significant contributions to algebra, geometry, astronomy, and calendar reform. He died in 1131.
Q: What is the Rubaiyat?A: The Rubaiyat is a collection of poems by Omar Khayyam that are written in the form of quatrains, which are four-line verses with a rhyme scheme of AABA. The word rubaiyat means "quatrains" in Persian. The poems deal with various topics such as love, wine, nature, and fate. They are considered as one of the masterpieces of world literature.
Q: Is Samarkand based on a true story?A: Samarkand is a historical novel that blends fiction and reality. Some of the characters and events are based on historical facts, such as Omar Khayyam, Hassan Sabbah, Malik Shah, the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, and the Titanic disaster. However, some of the characters and events are fictional or fictionalized, such as Jahan Khatun, Shirin, Benjamin O. Lesage, and the fate of the manuscript.
Q: Where is Samarkand?A: Samarkand is a city in Uzbekistan that was founded in the 7th century BC. It was one of the oldest and most important cities in Central Asia. It was also one of the main stops along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected Asia with Europe and Africa. Samarkand was famous for its cultural diversity and artistic achievements. It was also the capital of the Timurid Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries.
71b2f0854b