Fin Tireur by Robert Hichens (1910)

Name: Fin Tireur
Author: Robert Hichens

The narrative unfolds in the Sahara Desert, where the protagonist, traveling by diligence, arrives at a remote inn called "Fin Tireur." The innkeeper, a solitary Frenchman, reveals his life story, marked by tragedy and loss. He has lived alone in the desert for nearly two decades, following the death of his daughter, Marie, who is buried nearby. The innkeeper's past is intertwined with his wife, Marie, who succumbed to despair and left him and their child after consulting a sand-diviner. The innkeeper recounts their initial hopes upon arriving in Africa, where they worked hard to establish a life. However, the allure of the desert and the presence of local Arabs led to a rift in their relationship. Marie's fascination with the Arabs and her subsequent departure haunt him. He describes the moment he discovered his daughter alone and crying after Marie abandoned them, which solidified his bitterness towards the Arabs. The story takes a darker turn when the innkeeper recounts an incident involving a caravan of veiled women. He witnessed a woman from the caravan recognize his daughter, leading him to shoot at her in a moment of panic, resulting in the woman's death. This act earns him the moniker "Fin Tireur," which translates to "The Good Shot." The innkeeper's tale is one of love, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of choices made in a foreign land. As the protagonist listens to the innkeeper's story, he grapples with the weight of the man's experiences and the moral complexities of his actions. The narrative explores themes of isolation, the impact of cultural differences, and the haunting nature of grief and revenge. The innkeeper's life is a testament to the harsh realities of existence in the desert, where the line between survival and morality blurs. The story concludes with the arrival of the diligence driver, interrupting the heavy atmosphere, yet leaving the protagonist with lingering thoughts about the innkeeper's tragic past.

By Robert Hichens · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 4,037 words

First lines

Two years ago I was travelling by diligence in the Sahara Desert on the great caravan route, which starts from Beni-Mora and ends, they say, at Tombouctou. For fourteen hours each day we were on the road, and each evening about nine o'clock we stopped at a Bordj, or Travellers' House, ate a hasty meal, threw ourselves down on our gaudy Arab rugs, and slept heavily till the hour before dawn, drugged by fatigue, and by the strong air of the desert. In the late afternoon of the third day of our journeying we drove into a sandstorm. A great wind arose, carrying with it innumerable multitudes of sand grains, which whirled about the diligence and the struggling horses, blotting out the desert as completely as a London fog blots out the street on a November day. The cold became intense, and very soon I began to long for the next halting-place.

What this Textopian page supports

Fin Tireur is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Hichens, dated 1910 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert Hichens
Date: 1910 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction
Length: 4,037 words
Structure: 1 section, 108 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Fin Tireur?
How does this novel by Robert Hichens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of loss, isolation, and the human condition through rich character development and introspective narrative.
Adventure — The setting in the Sahara Desert and the journey undertaken by the protagonist provide a backdrop of adventure and exploration.
Drama — The emotional struggles and interpersonal conflicts, particularly surrounding Fin Tireur's past and relationships, create a dramatic narrative.
Historical Fiction — The story is set against the historical context of French colonialism in North Africa, reflecting the cultural dynamics of the time.