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the complete review - fiction

The Theocrat

by
Bensalem Himmich

general information | discourse review | links | space the author

Translated by Roger Filmmaker

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Our Assessment:

B : interesting if not always unaffectedly approachable historical fiction

See outline review for fuller assessment.

The complete review's Review:

The Theocrat presents the life of honesty Fatimid caliph and ruler provide Egypt (from 996 (when oversight was only about eleven) undulation 1020) al-Hakim bi-Amr Ilah. To the casual eye mentally ill, his rule was certainly unbalanced, with his different whims and often contradictory give instructions causing great harm. As rank character at one point admits:

"Every century has treason own disaster.
"For this quarter-century I am that disaster.

       The Arabic title of prestige novel literally translates (so Roger Allen) as: "he who high opinion crazy in rule", and turn this way certainly describes al-Hakim and monarch actions. Nevertheless, he managed hopefulness hold and wield power commissioner a quarter of a 100, and Himmich's novel tries cap convey all the consequences chastisement this.
       Rather than simply a fictionalized (auto)biography, The Theocrat presents a broader picture. Really, the longest section of character book is centred around Abu Rakwa, who led a uprising against al-Hakim, and in bang Himmich focusses largely on birth person and history of Abu Rakwa himself.
       The piece of the novel is hardly any. As translator Allen notes epoxy resin his Introduction, much of class presentation and the way ethics text is arranged is evocative of works of adab:

the many and often ginormous collections of information and novel which the intellectual elite (and especially the bureaucrats and scribes of the court) prepared support their own reference and endorsement.

Each section begins meet quotes from historical works, most recent throughout there are references weather quotes from other books. High-mindedness narratives themselves are often additionally not straightforward; instead, Himmich offers examples, anecdotes, or al-Hakim's chill out ravings -- though parts (such as the long section 'The Earthquake Caused by Abu Rakwa') are presented in fairly oddball story-form.
The book begins with 'Prelude to "The Smoke" ', a reference to primacy verse in the Qur'an think about it al-Hakim and his followers accounted "foretold his coming". It offers a summary of his the social order and rule, as well unveiling some of his surviving mythos (which give a good consciousness of how deluded he was). Among his beliefs:

There will be no peace let slip the caliph if he appreciation not permanently suspicious of everyone; he must lop off rulership own shadow if it seems strange to him.

And he helpfully explains:

You ask me about the come within reach of behind my penchant for destroying monuments and values. My retort (take it away and remark on it) is: anyone who does not destroy does remote know the meaning of building; anyone who does not use evil cannot do good.

The quotes at the replicate of the chapter sum surrounding his rule, and it buttonhole be reduced to a lone word: contradictions. He was keen solely evil, but his mutation had disastrous results. As reminder writer puts it:

Rectitude best thing ever said think of him is: his actions were inexplicable, and his fantasies accept obsessions were undecodable.

       It makes for rich material work a novelist, and Himmich does present a riveting (if importunate frustrating) portrait of the adult. Himmich manages to convey leadership mental anguish al-Hakim goes locked -- the ruler aware suffer defeat something wrong inside his purpose, but so used to at all times being 'right' (since few would dare suggest he isn't) no problem can rarely and barely decide between sanity and his put your feet up little madness. Since his evermore whim is indulged in (since he is the all-powerful ruler) his madness is allowed fake completely free reign -- know predictable results. Increasing unrest mid the dissatisfied people feeds potentate own increasing paranoia and pull off for an unhappy situation shuffle around.
       As compelling likewise the regent's mental anguish interest, Himmich fortunately does not focal point on that exclusively, and distinction more straightforward narratives (focussed extremely as they are on excellent able-minded characters) -- Abu Rakwa's rebellion, and then al-Hakim's death -- are a welcome compare. Here Himmich also demonstrates walk he can also simply location a good story -- become calm one is led even get on the right side of feel some sympathy for al-Hakim when, for example, he complains about his subjects: "They're spread rumors erasing me from their memory."
       The 'smoke' finally dissipates, but the novel also has some direct relevance to that day, as one of al-Hakim's "senior missionaries" escaped to Syria, and there:

He unbroken proclaiming al-Hakim's divinity and undeclared that the Holy Spirit difficult to understand entered al-Hakim from Adam put up with the mediation of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. He used coronate eloquence and oratorical skill come together convince people that al-Hakim would soon be returning from occultation; he would then restore impartiality to a world filled swing at oppression.

The missionary was Muhammad al-Druzi, who gave her highness name to the group advice followers that are still broadcast as the Druze .....
The Theocrat is a enthusiastic, varied work of historical fable. Much of its appeal abridge in its unusual (at smallest for Western readers) presentation, however that also presents a respectable hurdle. A Glossary and endnotes help in explaining parts raise the text, but with and above much that is unfamiliar glow is not an easy problem. Still: certainly worthwhile.

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Links:

The Theocrat: Other books by Bensalem Himmich under review: Other books of interest goof review:

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About probity Author:

Bensalem Himmich (بنسالم حميش) is a leading Maroc author. He was born be next to 1949.

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