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Smaïn; and Safti's Summer Day 1905   By: (1864-1950)

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Robert Smythe Hichens’ novel, Smaïn; and Safti's Summer Day 1905, takes readers on a captivating journey through the shadows of an exotic landscape. Set against the backdrop of colonial Egypt, the book weaves together a tale of love, betrayal, and the complexities of personal identity.

Hichens' vivid descriptions transport readers to the bustling streets of Cairo, their senses awakening to the sights, sounds, and fragrances of the bustling city. The author's attention to detail paints a vivid picture, immersing readers in the scorching heat of the Egyptian summer and the opulent lifestyles of the privileged few.

At the heart of Smaïn; and Safti's Summer Day 1905 lies a story of two central characters whose lives are intertwined in both fascinating and tragic ways. Safti, an enigmatic young Egyptian woman, serves as a symbol of the struggle for personal liberation within a society bound by tradition. Her chemistry with Smaïn, a charismatic French artist, sparks forbidden desires and sets their lives on a collision course.

Hichens skillfully explores themes of cultural clash and forbidden love, immersing readers in the complex dynamics between imperialism and local Egyptian society. Through his nuanced character development, he challenges readers to question their own biases and preconceived notions about identity and cultural difference.

However, at times, the prose feels overly flowery and verbose, which might deter some readers seeking a more concise narrative. Some of the extensive descriptions and digressions slow down the pace of the book, hindering the momentum of the story. Nonetheless, this ornate writing style adds a touch of the exotic and allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the Egyptian landscape.

Hichens offers a thought-provoking exploration of societal constraints and the price one must pay for individual freedom. The novel delicately treads the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, forcing readers to critically examine the choices and consequences faced by its characters.

Smaïn; and Safti's Summer Day 1905 stands as a compelling testament to Hichens' prowess in transporting readers to far-off lands and exposing the intricacies of the human spirit. With its lush setting, complex characters, and challenging themes, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impact on those who venture into its pages.

First Page:

SMAÏN; and SAFTI'S SUMMER DAY.

By Robert Hichens

Frederick A. Stokes Company Publishers

Copyright, 1905

" When the African is in love he plays upon the pipe. "

Sahara Saying.

SMAÏN

Far away in the desert I heard the sound of a flute, pure sound in the pure air, delicate, sometimes almost comic with the comicality of a child who bends women to kisses and to nonsense words. We had passed through the sandstorm, Safti and I, over the wastes of saltpetre, and come into a land of palm gardens where there was almost breathless calm. The feet of the camels paddled over the soft brown earth of the narrow alleys between the brown earth walls, and we looked down to right and left into the shady enclosed spaces, seamed with water rills, dotted with little pools of pale yellow water, and saw always giant palms, with wrinkled trunks and tufted, deep green foliage, brooding in their squadrons over the dimness they had made. The activity of man might be discerned here in the regularity of the artificial rills, the ordered placing of the trees, each of which, too, stood on its oval hump. But no man was seen; no flat roofed huts appeared; no robe, pale blue or white, fluttered among the shadows; no dog blinked in the golden patches of the sun only the sound of the flute came to us from some hidden place ceaselessly, wild and romantic, full of an odd coquetry, and of an absurdity that was both uncivilised and touching... Continue reading book >>




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