Sirr al-Khattat al-Dafinسر الخطاط الدفين

Translated to Arabic, «The Calligrapher's Secret», a novel by Syrian-German author, storyteller and critic. Rafik Schami (1946-). Even as a young man, Hamid Farsi is acclaimed as a master of the art of calligraphy. But as time goes by, he sees that weaknesses in the Arabic language and its script limit its uses in the modern world. In a secret society, he works out schemes for radical reform, never guessing what risks he is running. His beautiful wife, Nura, is ignorant of her husband's ambitions, knowing only his cold, avaricious side. So it's no wonder she feels flattered by the attentions of his young apprentice. And so begins a passionate love story--the love of a Muslim woman and a Christian man.