SALAMMBÔ [Mass Market Paperback]

I'm reviewing the 1935 National Home Library hardcover edition of this remarkable work, (no translator name listed).

THE STORY: This historically-based account takes place just before and during a revolt of mercenary warriors against Carthage [a series of cities on the Gulf of Tunis, near the present Tunis, Tunisia] in the Third Century B.C.

After the First Punic War ["Punic" refers to the Phoenicians], the prosperous and greedy aristocratic rulers of Carthage were not inspired to compensate the mercenary army soldiers who, in the face of their unexpected and sudden pecuniary demise, subsequently attacked the ancient walled city. This army was chiefly led by Matho who was handily aided by his slave-associate, Spendius.

Carthage lacked firm leadership but one of its primary ruling generals, Hamilcar Barca, (the man who had originally led the mercenaries to success in battle), ultimately took charge of the matter, leading audacious attacks on Matho's mercenaries with varying degrees of success at each battle. Hamilcar's sensuous daughter, Salammbo, established a sort of psychological enchantment over Matho who had been captivated with her stunning beauty and by her artful guile. Salammbo was also inadvertently spiritually united with Matho subsequent to his shrewd theft of Carthage's most prized sacred icon, the sublime Zaimph, an intricately crafted veil.

This story is bulging with heroic battles, the looting of treasures, the grueling torture of prisoners, and colorful descriptions of the participants in the war who hailed from throughout northern Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. It was first published in 1862.

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was venerated for the high quality of his precise writing style coupled with his remarkable descriptions of both his characters and their appurtenant activities. These accounts are quite vivid and robust -- he spun a terrific yarn. This renowned French author is most widely known for his 1857 Magnum opus, Madame Bovary (Penguin Classics). "Salammbo" was his next book which sealed the deal of literary distinction for Flaubert.

Contemporary authors of fantasy warlord fiction could learn much by reading "Salammbo." Of course the latter dealt with actual events which Flaubert somewhat fictionalized but the fluidness and crispness of his writing are akin to what we encounter much later in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition.

This work of historical fiction runs for 354 pages and I can't recall having read anything within the genre which surpasses the eminence of this superb work. And while this title is not now well-known or much read in America it should be, especially given its sheer merit and readability. Highly recommended.

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