The Runes Have Been Cast is a black comedy of darkest hue about academic and literary life set in Oxford and St Andrews in the early 60s. A tin of alphabet spaghetti brought about Lancelyn's first encounter with the apparently supernatural. Unfortunately it was not to be his last. Runes, ghosts and spaghetti apart, there is much for Lancelyn to be afraid of: the future, women, Critical Theory, sex romps, The Times' crossword puzzle, succubi and creative writing classes. The pages of The Runes Have Been Cast are haunted by M.R. James, Thomas de Quincey, Mr. Raven, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Iron Foot Jack, J.R.R. Tolkien and an anonymous tramp. I do not think that I can have read a novel which makes so many references to actual works that I have never heard off. With a fairly complex plot, ghosts popping in and out, strange but colourful academics, much mirth and mockery, two young men too full of themselves, a rampaging sex goddess, lots of interesting books and authors, intertextuality galore, the idea of God as a novelist, immersive literature and Tolkien and his bloody elves, this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read. -John Alvey in The Modern Novel
Robert Irwin Livres
Robert Irwin est un écrivain dont l'œuvre explore la riche tapisserie du Moyen-Orient, s'appuyant sur sa vaste formation universitaire en histoire et en littérature arabe. Sa fiction transporte souvent les lecteurs dans des lieux exotiques, explorant des thèmes de rencontre culturelle et les complexités de l'identité. Avec un style de prose distinctif, Irwin crée des récits à la fois intellectuellement stimulants et imaginativement captivants, offrant une perspective unique sur les questions historiques et contemporaines.







The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1001 Nights
- 992pages
- 35 heures de lecture
'The bride then came surrounded by her slave girls like the moon among stars or a matchless pearl set among others on a string.'When the beautiful Shahrazad gives herself to the bloody-handed King Shahriyar, she is not expected to survive beyond dawn. But using her wit and guile, she begins a sequence of stories that will last 1001 nights: stories of 'ifrits and money-changers, prices and slave girls, fishermen and queens, and magical gardens of paradise. This volume also includes the well-known tale of 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'.Along with this landmark new translation, Robert Irwin's introduction discusses the many cultures The Arabian Nights has drawn on and the elaborate structure of the story-within-a-story that defines the collection, as well as the importance to the Nights of locked doors, sex, and the recurring themes of money, merchants and debts. This edition also contains suggestions for further reading, a glossary, maps and a chronology.
The Arabian Nightmare
- 266pages
- 10 heures de lecture
The hero and guiding force of this epic fantasy is an insomniac young man who, unable to sleep, guides the reader through the narrow streets of Cairo-a mysterious city full of deceit and trickery. He narrates a complex tangle of dreams and imaginings that describe an atmosphere constantly shifting between sumptuously learned orientalism, erotic adventure, and dry humor. The result is a thought-provoking puzzle box of sex, philosophy, and theology. Reminiscent of Italo Calvino, and Umberto Eco, this cult classic is finally back in print!
Camel
- 232pages
- 9 heures de lecture
A distinct symbol of the desert and the Middle East, the camel was once unkindly described as half snake, half folding bedstead. But in the eyes of many the camel is a creature of great beauty. This book explores why the camel has fascinated so many cultures, including those in places where camels are not indigenous.
The Life of Saladin
- 96pages
- 4 heures de lecture
Saladin, the Kurdish founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, ruled Egypt and Syria, made enemies of the fabled Assyrians and conquered Jerusalem in 1187, repelling the Crusaders (and prompting their resurgence in the Third Crusade). His chivalry and impeccably honourable conduct became enshrined in European as well as Muslim lore, influencing a long line of poets and historians.Sir Hamilton Gibb’s seminal account of Saladin’s life calls upon the works of two men in particular – Baha’ ad-Din ibn Shaddad (d.1234), a military judge who served under Saladin and ‘Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani (d.1201), Saladin’s private secretary.Carefully researched and thoroughly annotated, Gibb’s classic remains an essential source for historians of the ruler, the region and the period, as well as an excellent introduction for readers whose image of Saladin remains rooted in legend.Sir Hamilton A.R. Gibb (1895–1971) was one of the most learned and passionate scholars of his era. He was Laudian Professor of Arabic at the University of Oxford (1937–55) and J.R. Jewett Professor of Arabic at Harvard University (1955–64). From 1957–66 he was Director of Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His other publications include Arabic Literature, The Legacy of Islam and Modern Trends in Islam.
Satan Wants Me
- 320pages
- 12 heures de lecture
It is the summer of 1967. There is acid on t he streets and darker things are on the move. Peter is an ap prentice sorcerer with an occult sect. His diary follows his quest for a virgin to seduce and sacrifice. '
The history of Orientalism shows that, whether making philological comparisons between Arabic and Hebrew, cataloguing the coins of Fatimid Egypt or establishing the chronology of Harun al-Rashid's military campaigns against Byzantium, scholars have been unified by their shared obsession. This book is a work of scholarship.
How to Invest in Real Estate With Little or No Money Down
- 216pages
- 8 heures de lecture
One of America's most trusted real estate experts tells how to make a killing in real estate using other people's money "Irwin is a prolific writer on real estate, and among the best." -- USA Today This latest book from real estate guru Robert Irwin is a complete, step-by-step guide for newcomers to no-money-down real estate investment. It's also a source of fresh insights and guidance for experienced investors looking for solutions to problems that can arise with the no-money-down approach. Written for today's robust market, How to Invest in Real Estate with Little or No Money Down tells readers how
Memoirs of a Dervish: Sufis, Mystics and the Sixties
- 239pages
- 9 heures de lecture
Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the narrative explores the author's captivating experiences traveling between London and Algeria. It delves into the cultural and historical significance of the era, highlighting the spirit of adventure and the transformative nature of the times. Through personal reflections and vivid storytelling, the book captures the essence of a decade marked by change and exploration, offering insights into the interplay between different cultures and the author's own journey of discovery.


