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Amazir
An idealistic young Englishman, Harry Summerfield, befriends an American oil explorer in Gibraltar in the 1930s. Their meeting sparks a journey for both men which will take them across Morocco and northern Africa, to encounter the harsh realities of Berber opposition to French colonial rule and the passion of a love for the same young French woman. Full of action, character and extraordinarily vivid local colour, this is a huge novel ofadventure and romance which keeps the reader guessing page after page.
Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 8, 2011
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I don't usually read this sort of fiction, but I was in the mood for a little love story action.
Set in North Africa and Morocco, Amazir is refreshing in its description of this part of the world in the late 30's, where French Colonial rule is fighting for its toehold and Europe is on the cusp of World War 2.
While not a 5 star book, and sometimes not even 4, I found it to be a highly underrated book and it should be more popular on Goodreads.
Set in North Africa and Morocco, Amazir is refreshing in its description of this part of the world in the late 30's, where French Colonial rule is fighting for its toehold and Europe is on the cusp of World War 2.
While not a 5 star book, and sometimes not even 4, I found it to be a highly underrated book and it should be more popular on Goodreads.
July 11, 2013
I thought this novel really engaging.
I love these desert stories. So far from the world I live in. But because it's not something I've experienced myself it is vital that the novelist can get that world across to me. And Tom Gamble does this with ease. Excellent writing style, engaging, touching and full of detail. His language brings the characters out of the page and into the reader's brain. You can feel the heat and smell the dust.
I would definitely seek out more books by this author and read them.
I love these desert stories. So far from the world I live in. But because it's not something I've experienced myself it is vital that the novelist can get that world across to me. And Tom Gamble does this with ease. Excellent writing style, engaging, touching and full of detail. His language brings the characters out of the page and into the reader's brain. You can feel the heat and smell the dust.
I would definitely seek out more books by this author and read them.
August 14, 2013
After traveling within Morocco for two weeks and seeing this title displayed on a table in a hotel in Imlil, I knew I had to read it. It takes place during prior to and during World War II when tribal people fought against the Vichy French. I found myself taken back to that time and place. While I've never seen "Casablanca" in its entirety, it did remind me of that particular era, with Morocco filled with people of different cultures, and two different love stories. I really liked the characters, but the book is more narrative than action or conversation, so it took me longer to read than most novels I would otherwise have chosen. A good read for someone interested in Morocco.
August 12, 2012
Romantic, historical, atmospheric.... I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it did lull a bit in the middle, but I advise you to go on. It gets very exciting and has an ending that makes you smile :-)
March 6, 2017
I was curious to read this book; I read somewhere that the author was a soldier and a businessman! A soldier writing a romance/fiction that is something that must be read.
Amazir – A Novel of Morocco
When they mention Morocco I just imagine that delicious tea with fresh smell of mints.
You will see Morocco through the character’s eyes, the historical accuracy, the French language and Arab culture. It’s written and described in a very good way, accurate details maybe because the author knew Morocco well. It’s not only a fiction novel; it is mixed with adventures, action, history, culture.
Amazir in Arabic means “free/noble man, brave or defender” but in our book the Amazir or Amazigh is referred to the pure old language of North Africa, mainly used in Morocco, Algeria, Mali and Libya, Niger, Tunisia and some parts of Egypt and Mauritania with slightly different accents. This is Berber Language which is spoken by large populations in countries as mentioned earlier.
Amazir – A Novel of Morocco
When they mention Morocco I just imagine that delicious tea with fresh smell of mints.
You will see Morocco through the character’s eyes, the historical accuracy, the French language and Arab culture. It’s written and described in a very good way, accurate details maybe because the author knew Morocco well. It’s not only a fiction novel; it is mixed with adventures, action, history, culture.
Amazir in Arabic means “free/noble man, brave or defender” but in our book the Amazir or Amazigh is referred to the pure old language of North Africa, mainly used in Morocco, Algeria, Mali and Libya, Niger, Tunisia and some parts of Egypt and Mauritania with slightly different accents. This is Berber Language which is spoken by large populations in countries as mentioned earlier.
November 6, 2011
Loved this book. It had everything. Romance, history, foreign culture and intrique.
August 26, 2011
I had such high hopes of this book. It was shortlisted for the RNA novel of the year award and the opening chapters were interesting. But I'm afraid that boredom soon set in. I struggled on to around page 350 but then gave up, despite a determination to see it through to the end.
The story itself began with promise and had potential, but the plot was slow and became dreary. In the end there was nothing compelling enough to make me want to know what happened next. There were too many 'information dumps' holding up the story and it meandered through subplots that didn't add anything. When I came to several pages describing how Summerfield dug out some latrines in a remote village that had no water supply I lost the will to continue.
It was a shame. I'm sure it could have been good, but it read too much like a first draft that had never been shaped into a narrative that drove the plot to a conclusion. The characters became a little wooden and too much of the dialogue was stilted and unnatural. I was disappointed.
The story itself began with promise and had potential, but the plot was slow and became dreary. In the end there was nothing compelling enough to make me want to know what happened next. There were too many 'information dumps' holding up the story and it meandered through subplots that didn't add anything. When I came to several pages describing how Summerfield dug out some latrines in a remote village that had no water supply I lost the will to continue.
It was a shame. I'm sure it could have been good, but it read too much like a first draft that had never been shaped into a narrative that drove the plot to a conclusion. The characters became a little wooden and too much of the dialogue was stilted and unnatural. I was disappointed.
October 11, 2011
I really loved this book. The sense of atmosphere and of being in the places described was very intense. I really empathised with Harry and how he felt as a stranger in a strange land, and how he acclimatised and became part of where he was living.
The main characters were well drawn and in keeping with the era they lived in, and I was drawn into their stories and wanted to know what became of them.
The story begins in a time of peace, and describes the idyllic (if stifling) suburban lives of the French expatriates. Harry (and the reader) is gradually drawn into intrigue and violence, as are the other characters, as war breaks out, and this shocking transition is graphically depicted.
The way the characters experience and emerge from what happens to them makes a fascinating and engrossing story.
The main characters were well drawn and in keeping with the era they lived in, and I was drawn into their stories and wanted to know what became of them.
The story begins in a time of peace, and describes the idyllic (if stifling) suburban lives of the French expatriates. Harry (and the reader) is gradually drawn into intrigue and violence, as are the other characters, as war breaks out, and this shocking transition is graphically depicted.
The way the characters experience and emerge from what happens to them makes a fascinating and engrossing story.
August 1, 2015
Amazir is one of the best book I have red recently. I found the beginning of the book quite slow and once you get going you are on the hook.
The only reason I chose to read it because we were going to Morocco for a trip and I wanted to read a book that involves the country. Its not just the details of each characters or scenery, beautiful description of culture and gentle understanding of living other. The book as an whole is spellbounding... Highly recommended
The only reason I chose to read it because we were going to Morocco for a trip and I wanted to read a book that involves the country. Its not just the details of each characters or scenery, beautiful description of culture and gentle understanding of living other. The book as an whole is spellbounding... Highly recommended
October 11, 2023
Set in Morocco before and during the outbreak of WW2, this is an engrossing story about a country in turmoil and a man who discovers more than expects. The author obviously has a great love for Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains (which I can appreciate, having visited the area several years ago). Should be better known.
June 10, 2013
I really loved this book. Although I read it some time ago the scenes and characters are still with me. You are drawn into the colonial world with its brutality ,adventure, and romance. Beutifully written , the character development and descriptions are excellent and fully engaging.
December 5, 2015
The book looked interesting, but it never seemed to go anywhere. There wasn't much depth to the characters and the plotting is improbable at best.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews