George Meredith

The Shaving of Shagpat Illustrated George Meredith

The Shaving of Shagpat: An Arabian Entertainment, is a fantasy novel by George Meredith, first published in 1856. The novel is a humorous oriental romance and allegory that tells the tale of Shibli Bagarag, a Persian barber, and Noorna, an enchantress, who are given the quest of shaving the tyrant Shagpat, who has magical hair that lets him retain power over the city. During his quest, Shibli acquires a magic sword and meets a series of exotic creatures, including a talking hawk and several genies.