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A review by hackjuber
Alamut by Vladimir Bartol
3.0
I'm torn on how I feel about this book. The story and setting are fascinating and there is an ever relevant statement behind it all about tyrants and radicalization. However, the translation I read was terrible. The dialogue seems off. The characters speak in such a modern way that I had to remind myself that the book takes place in nearly 1000 years ago. Despite the clunky writing, the plot and underlying themes held up the novel, and I enjoyed my time with it.
A note on this book's relation to the Assassins Creed videogame franchise: Apparently this is the book that inspired the Assassin's Creed series of games, which is how I heard about it. I must say if you are a fan of those games, do not expect this book to be anything like them. There are only two 'assassinations' near the end and the core of the book is about the deception of the initiates and the "paradise" scheme that Hasan masterfully concocted. It's a shame honestly. Imagine how cool Assassin's Creed would've been if it followed the plot of the book a little closer: stealing people's outfits to infiltrate enemy strongholds, dream sequences in paradise, and perhaps (deviating from the book) a final encounter with Hasan when you learn the truth. Now that would've been a truly excellent game.
A note on this book's relation to the Assassins Creed videogame franchise: Apparently this is the book that inspired the Assassin's Creed series of games, which is how I heard about it. I must say if you are a fan of those games, do not expect this book to be anything like them. There are only two 'assassinations' near the end and the core of the book is about the deception of the initiates and the "paradise" scheme that Hasan masterfully concocted. It's a shame honestly. Imagine how cool Assassin's Creed would've been if it followed the plot of the book a little closer: stealing people's outfits to infiltrate enemy strongholds, dream sequences in paradise, and perhaps (deviating from the book) a final encounter with Hasan when you learn the truth. Now that would've been a truly excellent game.