The cover page is adapted from The Muezzin, a painting completed in 1866 by Jean-Léon Gérôme. The cover and title pages feature the League Spartan and Sorts Mill Goudy typefaces created in 2014 and 2009 by The League of Moveable Type. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-L%C3%A9on_G%C3%A9r%C3%B4mewww.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/
The Shaving of Shagpat
Chapters (24)
- The Thwackings 0:00
- And This Is the Story of Bhanavar the Beautiful 44:55
- The Betrothal 3:30:48
- And This Is the Punishment of Shahpesh, the Persian, on Khipil, the Builder 3:52:50
- The Genie Karaz 4:06:33
- The Well of Paravid 4:22:19
- The Horse Garraveen 4:31:13
- The Talking Hawk 4:43:14
- Goorelka of Oolb 4:56:44
- The Lily of the Enchanted Sea 5:09:20
- And This Is the Story of Noorna Bin Noorka, the Genie Karaz, and the Princess of Oolb 5:24:52
- The Wiles of Rabesqurat 6:05:37
- The Palace of Aklis 6:48:13
- The Sons of Aklis 7:05:45
- The Sword of Aklis 7:29:39
- Koorookh 7:38:24
- The Veiled Figure 7:53:02
- The Bosom of Noorna 8:02:45
- The Revival 8:12:31
- The Plot 8:20:17
- The Dish of Pomegranate Grain 8:37:19
- The Burning of the Identical 9:26:53
- The Flashes of the Blade 9:49:41
- Conclusion 10:10:02
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The Shaving of Shagpat isn’t just George Meredith’s first published novel, it’s also his only foray into fantasy literature. Shagpat sold poorly in its day despite good reviews, and after its disappointing sales Meredith pursed a career as a writer of romantic fiction instead. Despite its poor financial reception, Shagpat enjoys a good modern reputation and remains a classic of fantasy literature, with George Eliot going so far as to call it a “work of genius.”
The book is set in the medieval fantasy-Persia of the Arabian Nights and other oriental romances. Shibli Bagarag, a poor but talented barber, encounters a mystical crone named Noorna. Together they embark on a quest to save the city of Shagpat from a tyrant who holds the city under his command by virtue of the powers of his magical hair. On the way they battle genies and afreets, save princesses, hunt for treasures, and so on.
Meredith’s language is purposefully florid, evoking the richness of the setting, and his frequent usage of quotations and aphorisms from “the poet” give the fantasy a decidedly literate air.