14. In a moment of magnanimity, a benevolent Genius, in the form of a shepherd, offers Vathek one last chance for redemption. Vathek nearly accepts it, until his pride rises up, and he sends the Genius off with scorning remarks. Looking back, Vathek might very well have regretted that decision. Have you ever done something you’ve later regretted? What lessons were you able to take away from the incident in order to make better choices the next time?

Suggested Further Reading of Fiction

For readers who have enjoyed Vathek and wish to further read works of similar voice, theme, or literary style, consider the following, which represent just a small selection of available great and commensurable novels.

Arabian Nights and Days: A Novel (Arabic: Layali alf lela) by Naguib Mahfouz (1979): In this sequel and companion novel for One Thousand and One Nights, familiar characters continue their fantastic adventures.

The Black Spider (German: Die Schwarze Spinne) by Jeremias Gotthelf (1842): In this gothic horror tale, a woman makes a pact with the devil in order to save a town from the tyranny of their ruling feudal lord, only to learn a crueler fate when she tries to forego the devil his due.

The Blind Owl (Persian: Boof-e koor) by Sadegh Hedayat (1936): The narrator, a young and despairing opium-addicted painter, is driven to madness by nightmares while he obsesses over a beautiful woman.

Divine Comedy (Italian: Divina Commedia) by Dante Alighieri (3 parts: 1308–1320): Considered one of the greatest works of world literature, this narrative poem is told in three parts, detailing the author’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

The Episodes of Vathek (French: Vathek et les episodes) by William Beckford (1787): Written as a continuation of Vathek, and told to the Vathek character by other “sinners” awaiting judgement in Eblis, these episodes relate the carnal and evil tales of their lives.

Faust (German: Urfaust) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (2 parts: 1772–1775): A retelling of the Faustian legend, in which a doctor seeking knowledge of the divine trades his soul to the devil; this version has an ultimately more benevolent ending.

The Giaour by Lord Byron (1813): An epic poem, set as an Oriental romance, revolves around three narrators who each have a different point of view about a woman belonging to a harem who is drowned for the offence of adultery, and the revenge taken on her master by her lover, the giaour.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie (1991): A young boy, Haroun, is son of a legendary storyteller, living in a city so sad it has forgotten its own name. One day his father’s stories end, and Haroun sets out to restore the tales.

Hasan by Piers Anthony (1969): In the days of Sinbad, an adventurous young man is guided by Allah to travel the Arabic landscape, and, in doing so, battles all manner of monster and evil in order to learn his life’s desire.

The History of Nourjahad by Frances Sheridan (1750): A Persian youth is taught valuable lessons of character by his childhood friend, sultan Schemzeddin, by being led to believe he has become immortal and gained inexhaustible riches.