Ali and Nino: A Love Story

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Ali and Nino: A Love Story is an adventure romance published under the pseudonym Kurban Said, the pen name of Baku-born author Lev Nussimbaum. In Azerbaijan until recently the author of this novel was considered to be Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, prominent Azeri writer and public figure, but now it is supposed that the book was written by Azerbaijani writer Mahammad Assad Bey, whose penname is thought to be Kurban Said.^[1] It has also been alleged that the book was written by its original copyright owner, Austrian Baroness Elfriede von Ehrenfels^[2].

The book was first published in German in Vienna in 1937, by E. P. Tal Verlag. An Italian edition, Allie Khan, appeared in 1944 under the name Essad Bey, Nussimbaum's main pen name. (In this edition Nino is called Erika, in honor of Lev's wife.) A new English translation was issued in 2000 by Anchor (ISBN 0-385-72040-8). Ali and Nino, considered by some to be one of the great romantic stories, has appeared in 27 languages^[3]. But Daniel Lazare, writing in The Nation, describes it as "overwrought and melodramatic", "a minor bit of exotica" that, after September 11, has become "deeply repellent".

[edit] Plot summary

The novel is set in Baku, Azerbaijan, shortly before and after the Russian revolution. Located on the Caspian Sea, Baku was the place where "progressive Europe" met with "reactionary Asia", where the West met with the East.

Ali Khan Shirvanshir, descendant of a noble Muslim family, is educated in a Russian boy's college. While his father is still completely a part of Asia, Ali is exposed to Western values in school and through his love to Georgian Christian girl, Nino, who belongs to the European world.

The book describes the love of Ali for Nino, as well as the Ali Khan Shirvanshir's travels to Daghestan, Karabakh, Georgia and Iran. Upon leaving school, Ali and Nino decide to marry. Ali's father, despite his Muslim traditional view of women, supports the marriage; Nino's father stalls, though. Only through the intermediation of an Armenian friend will Nino's father ultimately relent.

The book takes a dramatic turn as Ali's Armenian friend treacherously abducts Nino. In conformity with Muslim tradition, Ali kills his rival, but--contrary to what his tradition suggests--he spares Nino. Ali flees for the countryside to escape the vengeance of the Armenian's family.

After many months, Nino finds Ali in a simple hilltown, the two marry on the spot and spend a few months in blissful poverty. As turmoil follows the Russian Revolution, Ali Khan makes some tough ideological choices. When the Ottoman Army is moving closer to liberate his native Baku, Ali Khan closely watches developments. The Russians recapture Baku, and Ali and Nino flee to Iran (Persia). In Teheran, Ali is reminded of his Muslim roots, while Nino is fundamentally unhappy in the confinement of her home. Upon establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali and Nino return and become cultural ambassadors of their new country. Ali is offered a post as ambassador to France -- an idea Nino had suggested -- but declines, because he fears he will be as unhappy in Paris as Nino was in Teheran. Ali's short life is ended by the invading Red Army, and while Nino flees to Georgia with their child, Ali Khan dies defending Ganja against the Bolsheviks.