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The Sabres Of Paradise
Lesley Blanch
“The Sabres Of Paradise” encompasses the great Caucasus war of 1834-1859. In those days warring mountain cohorts united under the charismatic leadership of Imam Shamyl. “The lion of Dagestan” held at bay the invading Russian army for nearly 25 years. Lesley Blanch vividly recounts the epic story of their heroic and bloody struggle for freedom. The life of a man still legendary in the Caucasus. Legendary for his conviction and bravery that earned him the respect (and fear) of the Russian army generals. They had no funding, no modern arms, no large force as compared to Russian. The only thing at their disposal was bravery of mountain people, the geographical advantage of the terrain. The Imam was relentless and commanded the loyalties of his followers.
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Lesley has brilliantly woven together the narrative of both sides in The Sabres Of Paradise. Here the characters involved are not mere names on pages as often the case in historical accounts. The writer explored their lives. They come alive in the lines of the book as breathing individuals. They had a life, feelings, goals. Furthermore,they felt the same distress, anxiety and fear going into the war as the others. Personal accounts of war prisoners, soldiers, interpreters in between etc. gave the more intimate touch.
On one hand there is war, brutality, killing and chaos. On the other hand, the writer brings in the poetic and enchanting description of the supreme natural beauty of caucuses. There is political maneuvering, war strategies, hostages, negotiations and on the other hand love, loss and heartbreak. Although the characters come across as larger than life personas, almost fiction-like, yet at the same time they are human.
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The legacy of Imam Shamyl is not about only wins but it’s about rising from ashes. When he was seemingly lost and broken down, he comes back stronger again. His resilience in the face of adversity, his personal battles and losses he endured yet his conviction made him stand tall. On the course of reading, you will get attached to characters. An epilogue at the end is a treat that gives closure to this epic read.
Recommended and totally worth readingThe Sabres Of Paradise.
Previous read Cold War | John Lewis Gaddis
Review: Sidra Javed
