Portland Public Library

The king, Kader Abdolah ; translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier

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novels

The king

870286291

Kader Abdolah ; translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier

New Directions paperbook, 1319

"A hypnotic page-turner about the grinding gears of historical change and ruthless palace intrigue in Persia, c. 1848. The King, young Shah Naser, takes to the throne of Persia at a turning point of history: he inherits an enchanted medieval world of harems, eunuchs, and treasures as well as a palace of secret doors, sudden deaths, and hidden agendas. Within the court is danger enough: outside all manner of change threatens--industrialization, colonization. Russia and England conspire to open the King's empire; his mother and his vizier take opposing sides. The poor King--almost an exact contemporary of Queen Victoria--is trapped. He likes some aspects of modernity (electricity, photography) but can't embrace democracy. He must be a sovereign: he must keep his throne. The King cannot face change and he cannot escape it. With this gleaming and seemingly simple story, breathlessly paced and beautifully told, Kader Abdolah, the acclaimed Iranian émigré novelist, speaks of deeper truths. A novel which has many timely things to say about eras of change and upheaval, The King is an unforgettable book"--, Provided by publisher

Introduction -- The Kings -- Prince Naser -- The Harem -- The Grand Vizier -- Mahdolia, the mother -- Skeikh Aqasi -- Herat -- Sharmin the Cat -- The Brothers -- Taj, the daughter of the Shah -- The Cannon -- The Reforms -- The Russians -- The Spring Festival -- The New Army -- The Russians Seek Contact -- The Albaloo Garden -- Fear -- The Ayatollah who committed treason -- Mourning -- The Bab -- The Cats -- A secret message -- The Print Shop -- An historical decision -- Isa Khan -- Supernatural forces -- The invasion -- A deathly silence -- England's surprise move -- The woman -- The country prays for the Persian Gulf -- the Chronicler -- The documents -- Fagri -- In the palace -- The Black Blanket -- The silence -- Malijak -- The telegraph service -- Import and export -- Resistance -- Jamal Khan -- The Leader -- Mirzaye Shirazi -- The letter -- The Hookahs -- Claiming santuary -- The journey -- The light -- The travelogue -- The constitution -- The journey back -- Cable complaints -- In the bazaar -- The Ayatollahs -- The embassy -- An Ultimatum -- On the chessboard -- Majles -- Electricity -- The law -- The Shah has his picture taken -- Taj Olsultan