The Amulet of Samarkand
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 First edition cover |
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| Author | Jonathan Stroud |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Bartimaeus Trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Children's, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books |
| Released | 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback & Hardback) |
| Pages | 462 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 078681859X (first edition, paperback) |
| Followed by | The Golem's Eye |
The Amulet of Samarkand is the first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy written by Jonathan Stroud.
[edit] Plot introduction
A young magician's apprentice, Nathaniel, secretly summons the irascible 5,000 year old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his bidding. The task for Bartimaeus is not an easy one- he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion and murder.
[edit] Plot summary
Nathaniel, abandoned by his family, is to become a magician. Under his unnoteworthy master, Arthur Underwood, he wishes to become one of the greatest magicians of all time. At the age of twelve he summons the djinni Bartimaeus, a cocky spirit with a grudge against his slavers --- the magicians. Bartimaeus, expecting a ridiculous charge, is instead sent off to steal a potent artifact called the Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace. Nathaniel, seeking revenge for a humiliation suffered at Lovelace's hands, obtains the Amulet and has Bartimaeus hide it. Though Nathaniel is unaware of its power, Lovelace quickly comes to claim it. A struggle ensues, leading to the death of his master, Mr. Underwood, and his venerable wife.
With the assistance of Bartimaeus, Nathaniel manages to escape. He is unknowningly launched into a plot in which Lovelace intends to summon a powerful demon and, protected by the Amulet of Samarkand, use it to kill the Prime Minister and all the government, thus elevating him to a top position overnight. In the end, Nathaniel reverses the spell and unsummons the demon. He hands the Prime Minister the Amulet of Samarkand, making a grand show of it all. The book ends with Bartimaeus being freed from captivity.
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
Details about the adaptation to The Amulet of Samarkand have been released. Miramax will finance the film.
| Bartimaeus Trilogy | |
|---|---|
| Books | The Amulet of Samarkand | The Golem's Eye | Ptolemy's Gate |
| Main characters | Nathaniel | Bartimaeus | Kitty Jones |
| Other topics | Magic in the Bartimaeus trilogy | Characters of the Bartimaeus trilogy |
