Saïd the Fisherman

Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall

The story follows Saïd, a fisherman living in a small, impoverished house by the sea. Saïd dreams of a better life, hoping to save enough money to buy a coffeehouse and elevate his status. However, his life takes a turn when he loses his savings due to a series of unfortunate events, including being robbed by Turkish officers and a thief who discovers his hidden stash at home. Saïd's misfortunes continue as he is manipulated by Abdullah, his supposed friend and partner, who takes advantage of Saïd's naivety. Abdullah convinces Saïd to leave town, fearing the wrath of the local authorities who believe Saïd is hiding wealth. Saïd, desperate and destitute, sets off with his wife, Hasneh, only to be further deceived and robbed along the way. Throughout his journey, Saïd encounters various characters, including a beggar who offers him a partnership in revenge against a wealthy Christian, Yuhanna, who wronged the beggar's family. Saïd is tempted by the promise of wealth and the allure of Yuhanna's beautiful daughter, whom he desires. As Saïd navigates through the city, he becomes entangled in the political and religious tensions between Muslims and Christians, exacerbated by the influence of foreign powers. The story explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and the struggle for power and revenge in a society rife with corruption and prejudice. Ultimately, Saïd's journey is one of moral ambiguity, as he grapples with his desires and the consequences of his actions in a world where trust is scarce and survival often depends on cunning and deceit.

By Marmaduke Pickthall · First published 1903 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Allegory, Philosophical Fiction · 45 chapters · 129,362 words

First lines

The house of Saïd the fisherman nestled among the sandhills of the seashore at a long stone's throw from the town, in whose shadow it lay at sunset. Within, it was a single room, very dirty, the abode of many aged smells; without, a squat cube with walls of stone and roof of mud sunbaked and rolled to a seemly flatness. Hard by was a fig-tree, the nearest to the sea in all that coast. Here, in a crotch of the branches, Saïd would place his mattress in the stifling summer nights and snore two deep bass notes in peace and coolness, while his wife trumpeted a treble from her couch upon the housetop. Here, when the day's work was done, he would squat in the shade, drawing leisurely at his narghileh, with the sound of bubbling water to cool him at every puff.

Genres

Tags

allegory · spiritual journey · mysticism · Islamic literature · fable · parabolic narrative · redemption · divine intervention · transformation · moral conflict · symbolism · quest

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Saïd the Fisherman is listed on Textopian as a novel by Marmaduke Pickthall, dated 1903 CE.

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Contents

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