The Amulet of Samarkand
Original cover
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| Author | Jonathan Stroud |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Bartimaeus series |
| Genre | Children's, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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30 September 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback & Hardback) |
| Pages | 462 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | (first edition, paperback) |
| OCLC | 52509519 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S92475 Am 2003 |
| Followed by | The Golem's Eye |
The Amulet of Samarkand is a children's novel of alternate history, fantasy and magic. It is the first book in the Bartimaeus trilogy written by English author Jonathan Stroud. First edition (paperback) was published in Sept. 2003 by Doubleday in the Uniter Kingdom. The book and series are about power struggles in a magical dystopia centered in London, England featuring a mix of current and ancient, secular and mythological themes. It is well known for its liberal use of footnotes to voice the lead character's sarcastic comments, as well as story background. The book is named for a magical artifact created in the ancient Asian city of Samarkand, around which the story revolves.
London, England, 100 years after death of Gladstone in 1898. setting: modern day London spiced with magicians and mystery
A magician's young apprentice, Nathaniel, summons the irascible 5,000-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his bidding. Nathaniel has an interesting assignment for Bartimaeus: he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. The only problem is Bartimaeus couldn't care less for what his current master really wants, only that he has a job to complete (and survive) before he can return to "The Other Place" again... that and perhaps get even with the annoying little brat who summoned him if he gets the chance. Bartimaeus refers constantly to his relation with his former master Ptolemy, comparing him much more favorably to Nathaniel. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion and murder. Nathaniel learns quickly that he may have gotten into a plot much more in depth than he and his djinni can cope with.
Nathaniel becomes an apprentice Magician after his parents forfeit him when he was young to the magicians' adoption service in return for some money. His master, Arthur Underwood, is a mediocre magician and the Minister of Internal Affairs. Underwood is unwilling to having an apprentice while his wife, Martha, warmly welcomes Nathaniel.
Throughout his youth, noteworthy events embitter Nathaniel towards Underwood. One year before the events of the novel Underwood hosts a gathering of magicians in his villa. Upon his presentation to the other magicians, Nathaniel (age 10 at the time) is interviewed by his later antagonist Simon Lovelace who dismisses Nathaniel's obvious powers for magic. Nathaniel retorts impolitely and incurs Lovelace's wrath, in the form of an invisible demon which holds him immobile, allowing Lovelace to deride his helpless condition. Once he is released, Nathaniel sets a fleet of mites upon Lovelace's friend, which he easily destroys after getting stung, and is punished with a beating from one of Lovelace's imps. Ms. Lutyens, his admired art teacher, attempts to waylay the punishment and gets fired.
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