The Desert Drum by Robert Hichens
The Desert Drum is a novel by Robert Hichens set in the early 20th century in Egypt. It tells the story of a young Englishman, Stephen, who is sent to Egypt to work as a surveyor. He soon finds himself in the middle of a conflict between two powerful families, the El-Kerrs and the El-Kabirs. Stephen is drawn into the conflict when he meets the beautiful and mysterious Zaida, a member of the El-Kabir family. He soon finds himself in a passionate love affair with her, and is forced to choose between his loyalty to his employers and his love for Zaida. The novel follows Stephen as he navigates the dangerous political and social landscape of Egypt, and as he struggles to make sense of his own feelings for Zaida. Along the way, he discovers the secrets of the desert drum, an ancient instrument that is said to have the power to bring peace and harmony to the region. The Desert Drum is a captivating story of love, loyalty, and the power of music. It is a timeless tale of the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of obstacles.
By Robert Hichens · First published 1905 · Genre: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 2 chapters · 5,376 words
First lines
I am not naturally superstitious. The Saharaman is. He has many strange beliefs. When one is at close quarters with him, sees him day by day in his home, the great desert, listens to his dramatic tales of desert lights, visions, sounds, one's common-sense is apt to be shaken on its throne. Perhaps it is the influence of the solitude and the wide spaces, of those far horizons of the Sahara where the blue deepens along the edge of the world, that turns even a European mind to an Eastern credulity. Who can tell? The truth is that in the Sahara one can believe what one cannot believe in London. And sometimes circumstances -- chance if you like to call it so -- steps in, and seems to say, "Your belief is well founded."
What this Textopian page supports
The Desert Drum is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Hichens, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert Hichens
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,376 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 98 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Desert Drum by Robert Hichens
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Desert Drum?
- How does this short story by Robert Hichens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Adventure Fiction — The Desert Drum follows the story of a young man's journey to the Sahara desert, where he embarks on a thrilling adventure.
- Historical Fiction — The Desert Drum is set in the early 20th century and includes references to historical events and figures.
- Romance — The Desert Drum features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a mysterious woman he meets in the desert.
- Mystery — The Desert Drum contains elements of mystery as the protagonist attempts to uncover the secrets of the desert.
Tags
Fiction · Sahara · Short stories · arab · bordj · café · cord · desert · drum · eyes · face · hand