Amin Maalouf: Balthasar's Odyssey

Reviewed by JULIE MIDDLETON


Amin Maalouf's latest book is a thoughtful historical novel that leaves a gentle feeling of satisfaction in its wake. Set in 1665 and the (apparently) apocalyptic "Year of the Beast" of 1666, the first-person, diary-style tale follows the travels of Levantine curio-shop owner Balthasar Embriaco as he travels the Middle East and Europe in search of a much-discussed, feared, but rarely seen book, The Hundredth Name.

The Koran has 99 names for God and that book, in revealing the 100th, is said to hold the key to the future of the world. And in his journey, undertaken reluctantly, Balthasar hopes also to find salvation with the woman he loves.

Maalouf's characters often find themselves in conflict with the beliefs of their surroundings and time and Balthasar, a religious sceptic, finds the mounting hysteria over the predicted end of the world bewildering. But he is haunted by the book and what it contains.

Desire to uncover another truth, one which will define his future, also pushes him on: is his beloved Marta, long ago deserted by her feckless husband, truly a widow now, or simply a callously discarded wife?

Maalouf is a Lebanese-born journalist and Catholic Arab now living in Paris. He writes in French and his books generally fall into two camps, either scholarly works on history and politics or historical novels. Before you groan that translations are always clunky, this one is better than most. It is simple and clear but retains a richness and lyricism that makes it a pleasure to read.

Through Balthasar we learn about the interlacing of culture, religion, power and politics of the past; more importantly, he is enormously appealing.

Publisher: Vintage

Price: $26.95