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Vladimir Bartol

Alamut Hardcover – January 15, 2005

by Vladimir Bartol (Author), Michael Biggins (Translator)

153 ratings

Part of: Scala Translation (1 Books)

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Alamut is the first-ever English publication of BartolÕs near-forgotten masterpiece based on the life and legend of the original Òassassin, 11th century Ismaili leader Hasan ibn Sabbah. Revered by millions for his brilliance, and disdained by countless others for his suicide missions, Sabbah has inspired scores of writers throughout the centuries, including Rimbaud, Nerval, Borges and William Burroughs.

Print length

391 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Scala House Press
Publication date

January 15, 2005
Dimensions

6.72 x 1.33 x 9.2 inches
ISBN-10

0972028730
ISBN-13

978-0972028738
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...[a] superb masterpiece. An absolute must-have for East European literature shelves...a thoroughly compelling novel cover to cover." -- Midwest Book Review, January, 2005

"...a shifting collage of passions, adventure and sacrifice. The settings are sumptuously described...characters are charismatic and complex." -- Barbara Lloyd McMichael

"For all of its provocative ideas and sometimes eerily prescient incidents, Alamut is also successful simply as an entertaining yarn." -- The Seattle Times

Alamut is an adventure story from 1938 which transforms itself...into a nightmare novel of the new century. -- Olivier Maison, Journal de la Culture

If Osama bin Laden did not exist, Vladimir Bartol would have invented him. -- L'Express

Like Borges, [Bartol] raises questions but offers few answers...and will leave you with an inexhaustible restlessness and uncertainty. -- Ricardo Arturo Ríos Torres, La Prensa

From the Publisher

Michael Biggins has translated works by a number of Slovenia's leading contemporary writers. He currently curates the library collections for Russian and East European studies and teaches in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, both at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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Product details

Publisher : Scala House Press; First North American Edition (January 15, 2005)
Language : English
Hardcover : 391 pages
ISBN-10 : 0972028730
ISBN-13 : 978-0972028738
Item Weight : 1.5 pounds
Dimensions : 6.72 x 1.33 x 9.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #770,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #388,731 in Literature & Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
153 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		11%
3 star		8%
2 star		1%
1 star		4%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Rachel Louis

Tricky

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2018

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K so. I really wanna go to Iran. But I’m Canadian so visas are tricky

My mate said read his book it is dope and might inspire you for your trip

I did a little research... seams the thing is this book was written in like Slovakian? Or something.. not English and I don’t think Farsi.

So

My rating is not for the seller
They were great and quick. Feel free to buy from this seller

And notfor the book
My friend was right it is a sweet adventure book

But heck. The translation sure leaves something to be desired.
I can see it was an eloquent book when written - but I promise at best the sentences do not flow and at worst don’t really make sense ...

I don’t know if there is another translation to buy ... and you know go ahead if you want to read this book. It’s sroll a good book and I don’t regret buying it

But if you can find a better translation or even if you speak another languedge maybe check it out in that one

I know it was printed in a bunch of em

In any case. 3 stars feels fair.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Stewart Cameron

Timeless, questions much of what we assume as fundamental

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018

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First and foremost, the philosophies driving this story's themes are very powerful and profound. This book had me digging deep on my own outlook on things like self-purpose, the meaning of love, and the institution of religion. I don't think the author had an agenda one way or the other about faith, in particular, but the dialogue is definitely meant to provoke and question.

The story is told in a weaved third-person, narrating many competing interests at once but without sacrificing heart for any character. The author certainly plays no favorites, and every character's fate is held in equal suspense. While the antagonist is pretty clearly defined, he's closer to an anti-hero than a villain.

The setting is vivid and imaginative and almost blends fantasy with historical fiction, at times. It's clear the author did extensive research on life and political history of the time (as is said in the Afterword), but the author took some creative liberty to novelize a story and depict a grandiose world.

For me, this was a story I couldn't stop thinking about, and was faintly sad when it ended. I only wish there were more people to discuss it with, as it remains fairly obscure in the U.S. and on the Internet, in general.

It's not perfect. In fact, 4.5 stars is the rating I'd rather give, as the dialogue can be a bit meandering and maybe too intellectual for believable conversation. But the imperfections are covered by the author's commitment to a vivid and unrelenting storyline, and warrant a 5 star rating from me.

5 people found this helpful

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Noura Al Noman

Not what I had expected

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2019

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While I knew this was based on real events, I actually thought I was about to read a fantasy book.

And again, I thought it would turn out to be a love story (at least) but all hopes were dashed at the last 25% of the book.

The many paragraphs of “philosophy” reminded me of Arabic novels (and why I abandoned reading them for 3 decades.)

The last 10% was mostly historic narration, and therefore quite dry and not in keeping with the rest of the book.

One person found this helpful

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Umer Vakil

More than historical fiction, a great work of philosophy!

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2015

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This historical novel launches our imagination into the historical castle of Alamut, captured by Hasan ibn-Sabah, presented against the background of the reign of Nizam-ul-Mulk as the vizier of the Seljug Empire. Although the writer gives us brief third-person access to his characters, our first look into Alamut is initially seen through ibn-Tahir, the grandson of a famous poet and Halima, a maiden - both who are soon to be incorporated into a cunning plan that we are introduced to with suspenseful hiatuses.

All the newcomers into the 'institution' of Alamut are to leave their earlier lives behind and are systematically indoctrinated with Ismaili thought that they soon internalise. This thought cures many of their existential angst and as we see later, presents them with a vision to die or kill for. To serve the guild is taken as a path to achieve transcendence. Presented with the internal workings of Alamut, ibn-Sabah is shown to us as a God-like invisible mythological figure who best reminds us of Plato's Philosopher-King. Almost as a field experiment for Plato, his institution has well-defined heirarchies with the future "Guardian" Feyedeen taken as initiates to be given instruction in algebra, Arabic grammar, philosophy and the military arts and amongst other subjects. Sayyiduma's (Sabah's title) words and laws are binding and any dissent is to be met with death. Before he makes his physical appearance, the notion of unquestionable loyalty to Sayyiduma is presented as a thinking-tool to compare this notion with the rationally of staying loyal to a hidden divine entity such a God.

Even in his physical state, Sayyiduma is presented as a strangely composed and confident character, even while having to calculate infinite variables to make sure his plans come to fruition. Although thought to be a religious leader by those under his command, he is a freethinker with an unmatchable intellect (reminds you of Adrian "Ozymandias" Viedt from 'Watchmen') that embodies the idea of the Übermensch who has transcended morality and humanity.

"Until now I've trusted my statesmanship. But now I'm going to see what FAITH can accomplish" - ibn-Sabah

The story however, is simply a backdrop or stage that is shown to give practical examples of larger philosophical theories and thought experiments. At every page, it is difficult to miss parallels with current events, and in this right the book is timeless in nature. ibn-Sabah lures us into considering a wide range questions such as the nature of reality and consciousness, the nature of sensory perception, man and his relation with God, the idea of ecstasy, how men would kill to seek brief moments of perfection. Furthermore, we are confronted with ethical questions such as the bliss of ignorance, righteous deception, the morality of risking innocent lives for a a grandiose vision and uncountable others. It doesn't take long to realise that this book is a work of philosophical genius that manages to capture so many ideas in one simple story.

Of course, as a work of fiction - there are large deviations from History. But that shouldn't bother anyone who takes this book as a work of philosophy more than a novel. Also, the poems in this book seem to be beautiful in their English translation. It entices me to learn Slovenian and Farsi simply so I could capture the emotion of the poetry in its original and untampered form. A fan of Omar Khayyam's works wouldn't be disappointed either, as he is given a significant role in the novel as an old friend of Sayyiduma.

A must read!

5 people found this helpful

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Chris Walsh

A Highly Recommended Read

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019

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I teach 7th grade world history in a small town, and I'm currently in my Middle East unit with my students. I finished reading Alamut, afterword and all. Reading the translation gave me the tingly, geeky, and very mentally stimulating experience that compelled me to write this review. As a teacher, I felt more enlightened as to the early schisms in Islam. I found myself looking up information so that I could make sure I had the facts straight from the fiction. For instance, I read a short primary source with my students from Nizam Al-Mulk's Advice to Rulers. I was fascinated to learn more about his assassination and the Seljuks in general. I thank the translator for helping me quench an aspect of my curiosity.

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Top reviews from other countries

Benjamin Hill

One of mankind's greatest books

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2010

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Quite one of the most amazing books I have ever read. Alamut was a real place and the events did loosely happen, based around the time we would call the Crusades. The fact that the author never wrote another novel before or after despite being an academic says much. Clearly Bartol did a lot of research. Although much he wrote is a condensation of Alamut's history, as much as we know that is, it works.

Bartol has a message to give you and he packages and delivers the message with genius. I don't believe you need any particular religious or political belief in order to enjoy this novel, nor do you need any knowledge of arab/turkish/crusader history.

6 people found this helpful

Jatsoo

Good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2020

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Very good read

Sonia

Alamut

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2018

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Amazing book, once you begin to read it you cannot stop until the end.

iris

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2015

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Wicked

One person found this helpful

Lee

Utterly engrossing and fascinating book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2011

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Alamut is a remarkable book. Based largely on fact (or as factual as history can get, and was in 1938 when this book was written), it first creates a strange and quasi-mystical series of events and places, before breaking them down and exposing them for the shams they are. No character is one-dimensional, they all come across as human beings and display a whole range of emotions. The action sequences are fast-paced, and the philosophy sufficiently interesting that the longer paragraphs just fly by.

It also relates disturbingly to the modern world: Islamic 'warriors' willing to die for their cause, for a lie, for a religious prize which does not exist. The power wielded by those cunning and ruthless enough to control the weak in any way without regret.

As the story unfolds it grips completely, and rates amongst the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time.

6 people found this helpful

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Alamut Hardcover – January 15, 2005

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