In "The Shaving of Shagpat," renowned English novelist George Meredith unveils a fantastical world brimming with magic, adventure, and allegory. Known for his probing societal critiques in works such as "The Egoist," Meredith makes a remarkable foray into fantasy, imbuing this narrative with his distinctive wit and insightful observations. The story unfolds around Shagpat, an extraordinarily hairy man who is revered as a magical oracle in his city. An ambitious barber, Shibli Bagarag, is given the monumental task of shaving Shagpat, a feat that can only be accomplished by overcoming numerous mystical trials. Meredith, in this allegorical tale, explores themes of destiny, transformation, and the quest for enlightenment. His characteristic satirical flair is evident as he examines the follies and pretensions of society through this fantastical lens. "The Shaving of Shagpat" is a captivating blend of fantasy and satire that offers both entertainment and thoughtful commentary. Its imaginative narrative, memorable characters, and poignant themes make it a standout offering from Meredith's diverse literary repertoire. Keywords: George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat, fantasy, allegory, destiny, transformation, enlightenment, satire, societal critique, fantasy novel, allegorical tale, Victorian literature, magical realism, societal satire, The Egoist, destiny and transformation, quest for enlightenment, classic English literature, magic and adventure, imaginative narrative, literary satire, barber, oracle, mystical trials, English satire.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

The Arabian Nights is a composite work consisting of popular stories originally transmitted orally and developed during several centuries, with material added somewhat haphazardly at different periods and places. This study was devoted to the impact of The Arabian Nights on four novelists of the nineteenth century: Charlotte Bront, Charles Dickens, George Meredith, and Robert Louis Stevenson. These authors were selected on the ground of their life spans, which encompassed almost the whole century. Because they are among the masters of the English novel, it is reasonable to assume that they did not content themselves with mere imitations resulting in pseudo-oriental tales. Their original creations assimilated the influences from The Arabian Nights, forming new unified structures with interwoven references and allusions, which are to be redetected.