Review by Mohammed Mohammed of “Said the Fisherman” by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

Born Marmaduke William Pickthall in 1875 London, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall was a convert from Christianity. His novel Said the Fisherman was published in 1903 and stirred the literary circle of Britain at the time. A work that was praised by writers such as D.H Lawrence, H.G Wells and E.M. Forster, is now almost forgotten. Said the Fishermen is a masterpiece in my humble opinion, and tells the story of a little corrupt, a little deceitful, and a very compassionate and sweet man, Said.

Opening this book you are stepping straightaway into another world, the Arab world of the 19^th century. Said begins as a poor fisherman, he leaves his hometown to become an adventurer, a world merchant, but he never stops being a little liar. His life begins as tragedy and ends as tragedy, and even when I shed a tear about this sweet liar, there was always a smile in my heart. Said the Fishermen will take you into faraway places, he will make you laugh and cry, he will make you remember his lies, his story.

About the reviewer

Mohammed Mohammed is undertaking a PhD in Egyptian short stories at a UK university.