Subject
Algeria -- Fiction Books
Best books
Ouida
Under Two Flags
"Under Two Flags" by Ouida is a novel published in 1867. An English aristocrat, facing financial ruin and falsely accused of forgery, fakes his death to protect his brother and a lady's honor. He flees to Algeria, joining a French military regiment under an assumed identity. There, amid the desert campaigns, he encounters figures from his past, including a devoted young woman called Cigarette. Through melodramatic sacrifices and revelations, the story weaves themes of honor, exile, and redemption across two continents.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
A Modern Telemachus
"A Modern Telemachus" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a historical novel likely written during the late 19th century. The story is set in the early 18th century, focusing on the journey of Madame la Comtesse de Bourke and her children as they travel to reunite with her husband, who has been appointed Ambassador to Sweden. The narrative weaves themes of adventure, family, and historical context, particularly related to the Jacobite movement and various European intrigues. The opening of the book introduces us to the characters and sets the stage for their journey. We meet the Comtesse de Bourke and her children, Ulick (Ulysse) and Estelle, who are excited yet anxious about their adventure. The children's lively dialogue illustrates their innocence and curiosity about the world. The setting alternates between the Tuileries Gardens in Paris and the preparations for their journey, hinting at the challenges they will face ahead, particularly in light of the tumultuous political landscape of the time. As the Comtesse prepares for their trip, it becomes clear that this journey will not only be physically challenging but also fraught with emotional strains, as she must leave her youngest son behind and face the uncertainty of the road ahead, foreshadowing the dangers that loom in the remarkable journey they are about to undertake.
Alphonse Daudet
Tartarin de Tarascon
"Tartarin de Tarascon" by Alphonse Daudet is a novel written in 1872. In the Provençal town of Tarascon, hunting enthusiasm has driven away all game, leaving residents to shoot at their own caps. When middle-aged Tartarin reacts excitedly to seeing a lion in a menagerie, the town mistakenly believes he plans an Algerian hunting expedition. To save face, he embarks on an absurd adventure armed with excessive equipment, encountering con artists and misadventures before returning home penniless yet celebrated.
Alphonse Daudet
Tartarin de Tarascon
"Tartarin de Tarascon" by Alphonse Daudet is a novel written in 1872. In the Provençal town of Tarascon, hunting enthusiasm far exceeds actual game, leading residents to shoot their own caps for sport. When middle-aged Tartarin's excitement over a caged lion is misinterpreted as plans for an African expedition, pride forces him into an absurd adventure. Armed with ridiculous equipment and prone to gullibility, he journeys to Algeria where misadventures await—including an encounter with a conman and an unexpected trophy.
C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson
The Golden Silence
"The Golden Silence" by C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Stephen Knight and Margot Lorenzi, as they navigate a turbulent engagement complicated by societal expectations and personal sacrifices stemming from a tragic family legacy. The narrative promises a blend of romance, drama, and the exploration of class distinctions and personal integrity. The opening of the novel introduces us to Stephen Knight, who is displeased with the attention Margot has attracted following a sensational newspaper interview about their engagement. Despite his frustration, he approaches Margot at the Carlton Hotel, where their complex relationship dynamics unfold. Margot, a strikingly beautiful woman with a dramatic past involving her father’s tragic demise in a court case against Stephen’s family, showcases a passionate and somewhat melodramatic personality. Their interaction highlights Stephen's internal conflict over his emotions toward Margot and the external social pressures they face, setting the tone for the drama and romance that will unfold as the story progresses.
Alphonse Daudet
Tartarin of Tarascon
"Tartarin of Tarascon" by Alphonse Daudet is a novel written in 1872. In the Provençal town of Tarascon, hunters are so enthusiastic that no game remains. When plump middle-aged Tartarin reacts excitedly to a caged lion, the town mistakes this as commitment to an African hunting expedition. To save face, he must go. Armed with absurd equipment and infinite gullibility, Tartarin stumbles through Algeria encountering conmen and misadventures, ultimately returning home penniless but celebrated after shooting a tame, blind lion.
Hector France
Sous le burnous
"Sous le burnous" by Hector France is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative likely explores themes of war, culture, and identity through the eyes of the protagonist as he reflects on a tumultuous period, possibly in Algeria, given the references to military actions and local customs. The book opens with a visceral description of violence, emphasizing the psychological turmoil of the main character who grapples with his actions during a conflict. The opening of the novel introduces readers to a tense and graphic scene where the protagonist, amidst chaos, finds himself in a moment of irrational violence, driven by the heat of battle. He describes his attempts to subdue an enemy, reflecting on the legacy of bloodshed and the madness of war while contrasting his actions with historical references to legendary warriors. As the scene shifts, he experiences a surreal awakening, realizing that the violence may have stemmed not just from his actions, but also from the potent environment he inhabits, mixed with opium-induced dreams and the vibrant culture he has become enmeshed within. Through this complex blend of personal conflict and broader cultural observations, the narrative hints at profound themes of colonialism, identity, and the dichotomy between life and death.
Marie Van Vorst
His love story
"His Love Story" by Marie Van Vorst is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers on Captain de Sabron, a lonely French officer, and his budding relationship with Julia Redmond, an American heiress. The story examines themes of love, companionship, and the poignant struggles of both human and animal characters in the face of separation and duty. The opening of the book introduces Captain de Sabron, reflecting on his solitary life in the provincial town of Tarascon while dealing with the recent death of his terrier, Michette, and the birth of her puppies. He decides to care for one of the puppies, whom he names Pitchouné, out of a sense of empathy for its vulnerability and loneliness. Shortly after, he receives an invitation to dinner at the Château d'Esclignac, where he meets Julia Redmond, the niece of the hostess. Their connection is sparked through shared moments, highlighted by Sabron's growing feelings for Julia as he contemplates the loneliness of his military life and the companionship of Pitchouné. The stage is set for an exploration of love and separation as their paths intertwine.
John Patrick Le Poer
A Modern Legionary
"A Modern Legionary" by John Patrick Le Poer is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins in the early 1880s, depicting the life of a young Irish boy who, seeking to escape the dull confines of boarding school and the constraints of his home, decides to enlist in the French Foreign Legion in search of adventure and a new identity. The narrative promises a blend of personal growth, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of military life as the protagonist embarks on a tumultuous journey through foreign lands. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the main character, a 16-year-old boy who has just arrived in Paris with little money and a determination to break free from his mundane existence. After a chance encounter with a soldier, he is persuaded to join the Foreign Legion, despite hearing about the challenges that await him. The opening chapters detail his motivations for enlisting, his interactions with fellow recruits, and the process of becoming a soldier, all while setting the stage for his upcoming trials in both military training and the conflicts that lie ahead. This establishes a foundation for a story that explores themes of camaraderie, identity, and survival within the harsh realities of military life.
R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
The Middy and the Moors: An Algerine Story
"The Middy and the Moors: An Algerine Story" by R.M. Ballantyne is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story follows the adventures of George Foster, a young British naval officer who becomes entangled in the treacherous world of piracy and slavery in the Mediterranean. As George faces capture by Algerine pirates, the themes of courage, hope, and the quest for freedom against adversity begin to unfold. At the start of the narrative, we meet George Foster, a midshipman who is eager to enjoy a night out rowing in the Mediterranean. However, he soon finds himself engulfed by a sudden storm that pushes him far out to sea. Exhausted and desperate, he spots a pirate ship and attempts to board it, only to be captured and taken prisoner. The opening chapters establish his gradual realization of the dire situation he faces as a captive of the notorious Algerine pirates. His subsequent reflections on hope, faith, and the empathetic connections he forges with other captives set the foundation for his journey through oppression, resilience, and the longing for freedom.
Alphonse Daudet
Tarasconin Tartarin
"Tarasconin Tartarin" by Alphonse Daudet is a novel written in 1872. In the Provençal town of Tarascon, hunting enthusiasts have eliminated all local game and resort to shooting their own caps for sport. When middle-aged Tartarin rashly expresses interest in hunting lions, the townspeople assume he's planning an expedition to Algeria. To save face, he embarks on a disastrous journey filled with con artists, absurd equipment, and comic misadventures, ultimately returning home penniless but claiming glory after an unexpected encounter with a tame lion.
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