The Angel with One Hundred Wings: A Tale from the Arabian Nights [Hardcover]

Daniel Horch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

The story opens in the City of Peace, as Baghdad was once called. It is a fabulously wealthy city, receiving tribute from an empire that stretches from modern day Afghanistan to Spain. Abulhassan Ibn Thaher is an old pharmacist and alchemist who is an intimate friend of the Sultan. When the young prince of Persia falls in love with Schemselnihar, the Sultan's beloved mistress, they beg Abulhassan to help them elope. Even though it could mean death for all of them, Abulhassan relents and agrees to help. As rumor and gossip spread, different factions at court try to use the impending scandal for their own ends, and the story climaxes with the lovers' flight into the desert. With engaging characters and rich imagery drawn from alchemy, the Koran, and the early Islamic mystics, The Angel with A Hundred Wings is a literary masterpiece that captures all the magic and romance of the Middle East once upon a time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First-time novelist Horch offers a lively rendition of this tale from the Arabian Nights, set in 9th-century Baghdad, then called the City of Peace. Abulhassan Ibn Thaher, an elderly pharmacist and alchemist, is a confidant and chess partner of the sultan Harun al-Rashid. He finds himself in an impossible position when the prince of Persia falls madly in love with the sultan's favorite mistress, Shemselnehar, and asks the old man to help them run away. All three face certain death if the plot is discovered, and this is quite likely in a city and royal court full of spies, where everyone knows everyone else's business. Much like a chess match, the plot is driven by advances and retreats, surprising strategies and much suspense. The writing is evocative and the story fast-paced; memorable and truly likable characters enrich Horch's gripping adventure story. As the novel progresses, Abulhassan realizes that he has not lived his life as wisely as he could have; he has not treated his wife and children with the love and respect they deserve. Struck by remorse, he redoubles his efforts and risks everything to aid the young lovers. Woven throughout the book are fascinating asides about alchemy and Islamic mystics. An imaginative and vivid retelling, this novel should interest both Arabian Nights fans and newcomers looking for a diverting historical suspense tale.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Drawing inspiration from The Arabian Nights, Horch has penned a luminous first novel. Set in Baghdad during the Caliphate of Harun al-Rashid, this is a tale of the forbidden love between Abulhassan, prince of Persia, and the Caliph's favorite concubine, Schemselnihar. The narrator, a pharmacist, alchemist, and friend of the Caliph, agrees to abet their elopement and fears for his execution. While the story is replete with adventure, betrayal, miraculous escapes, and all the other attributes of a hair-raising thriller, Horch truly excels at portraying ninth-century Baghdad. With exquisite detail and vibrant color, he brings to life the wealth and beauty of the city, the greatest metropolis of its age. The author also infuses the wisdom of the Qur'an, the texts of Islamic mystics, and the alchemical treatises of the day into the narrative. At a time when an understanding of the historical context of Islam is so important, Horch has crafted an exciting tale in a beautiful package, one that informs as it engages. Highly recommended for fiction collections.
Andrea Kempf, Johnson Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KS
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1st edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312284187
• ISBN-13: 978-0312284183
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,869,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Captivating & Wonderful Book, December 28, 2002

By 

Matthew I Wein (Celebration, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Angel with One Hundred Wings: A Tale from the Arabian Nights (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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true new talent...., January 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Angel with One Hundred Wings: A Tale from the Arabian Nights (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...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tale, January 7, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Angel with One Hundred Wings: A Tale from the Arabian Nights (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