George Meredith's fantasy fiction, The Shaving of Shagpat, was first published by Chapman and Hall in 1856, and there were many editions of it. The novel is an entertaining oriental love story written in the style of "Arabian Nights. The book is set in the middle-age fantasy world of Persia, as in the Arabian Nights and other romance tales. Shibli Bagarag, a poor but talented barber, experiences a magical woman named Noorna. They set out on a mission to save Shagpat from the cruel ruler who commands the city through the power of his magical hair. On the way, they fight with genies and afreets, save princesses, track for treasure, and have so many adventures.The author's language is purposely florid, evoking the lavishness of the plot, and his constant usage of quotations and aphorisms from "the poet" gives the book a clear literate air.
