Persian Letters by Charles Louis de Montesquieu. Short summary

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A satirical novel recounting the life of a Persian nobleman named Uzbek and consisting of 161 letters. In 1711, Uzbek and Rika leave on a long journey to France.

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A satirical novel that recounts the life of a Persian nobleman named Uzbek and consists of 161 letters. The action unfolds in Ispahan in 1711. Uzbek and Rika leave on a long journey to France.

Uzbek arrives in Paris. Here he writes letters to his pals back home. The latter express their own opinions about life in Western society, discussing the peculiarities of French mores and politics.

In one of his letters, Uzbek reveals the real reason for his departure. He exposes vice, preaches the truth, and remains sincere. Because of this, the hero makes many enemies, after which he leaves the court to which he was introduced in his youth.

Under the pretext of studying Western science, the young man leaves his homeland. In his hometown he had a palace with a harem that housed some of the most exquisite women in Persia. The path of the heroes lies in Erzerum. Next they go to Tokatu and Smyrna, where the Turks have power.