Affair in Araby

Jimgrim/Ramsden/Ommony #7

by Talbot Mundy

James Schuyler Grim, better known as "Jimgrim," is employed by the British secret service and stationed in Jerusalem, matching wits and weapons with the French financed conspirators out to destabilize Syrian King with a forged order to massacre the Jews of Jerusalem.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics

168 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 1922

About the author

Talbot Mundy (born William Lancaster Gribbon) was an English-born American writer of adventure fiction. Based for most of his life in the United States, he also wrote under the pseudonym of Walter Galt. Best known as the author of King of the Khyber Rifles and the Jimgrim series, much of his work was published in pulp magazines.

Reviews

[Bish Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been many years since I've read anything by Mundy. This was not disappointing. Considering when it was first published (I had trouble pinning down an exact date sometime between 1922-33) this story speaks to some of the same issues going on today: the U. S. , Britain, and France, the Turks, Algerians, and Arabs fighting over Syria. But the story is told with humor and with what seems to be a deep understanding of the cultures of the various peoples involved. And also I get the strong sense he was familiar with the lands he wrote about.

Jimgrim and Ramsden along with their pals, who are fearless and always up for a good fight, plot subterfuges and counter-subterfuges in an effort to protect Faisal, an Arab and "future king" of Syria. They romp through the Near East with Mabel, an equally fearless woman, who impersonates Lawrence (as in Thomas Edward AKA Lawrence of Arabia.)

I have always enjoyed Mundy's writing.
"His face was fat, unwholesome, with small, cold eyes, an immoral nose, and a small mouth with pouting lip."
"It was a wonder of an hotel. You could smell the bugs and the sanitary arrangements from the front-door step, and although the whole place had been lime-washed, dirt from all over the Near East was accumulating on the dead white, making it look leprous and depressing."
"Grim was in Mephistophelian humor."

If you like fun adventure and pulp fiction, if you enjoy a rousing romp, if you'd like a break from literary fiction where you have to ponder about the symbolism and deep hidden meaning, then Mundy is the person to read. My personal favorite is Om: The Secret of Ahbor Valley. I also liked his books about Tros of Samothrace. Then, treat yourself to his only non-fiction book, I SAY SUNRISE, A memoir, which tells about his personal struggles leading to the conclusion that it is our duty to enjoy life.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average story by Talbot Mundy. All the ingredients are there for success, but it somehow never rises above the expected. As usual, Mundy creates great atmosphere, giving a tangible feel to Palestine and Syria right after the Great War. And he employs his usual powerful dialogue, replete with passages of comedy and ironic wit. Too, it's a rare story, a tale of intrigue surrounding the fate of King Feisul (Faisal I) as he is ushered out of Syria during the French takeover of the region. In fact, I'm not sure that I know of but one other representation of these particular historical events in popular entertainment. And that would be the 1951 film, Sirocco, with Humphrey Bogart, Lee J. Cobb, and Märta Torén, which actually takes place just a few years later than The King in Check, during the Syrian uprising of 1924.

[Francis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldnt get myself to finish it. I will pass on it.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good pulp era adventure story from a writer that is pretty much forgotten today. Recommended