A Novel, A Tale of a Magical City: Samarkand

Actually, everything started at university when I borrowed Amin Maalouf’s Samarkand book from the library.

During exam periods, I used to go to the library with my friends, and instead of studying, I would browse the magazines in the library and start new books. I had tweeted about this on December 20, 2017.

“Tomorrow, I will watch the race for seats in the library, read the newspapers, and get angry about the state of the country, look at the painting in the 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die book, and wonder if I can die peacefully now, and if there is time left, I will study”

These are actually my way of rebelling against obligation. Whenever I have to do something and don’t want to, I can’t stop the resistance inside me and I constantly procrastinate what I need to do. Despite the years passing, my stance on this matter, no matter how much it gets me into trouble, has never changed.

I remember being completely mesmerized while reading the book Samarkand and not stepping outside the dorm for three full days. I was torn between wanting to finish it frantically and wishing the dreams it sparked in me would never end. When I finally finished the book, I recall being deeply curious about the city of Samarkand and dreaming of going there one day.