The Garden of Allah

Wealthy, lonely, and seeking companionship, Domini travels from her convent upbringing into the desert to find herself. Her longing for connection drives her to form a dangerous bond with Boris, challenging religious and social norms. She embodies a fragile resolve, willing to risk everything for love and self-discovery.

A young man with a vow of silence and a troubled past, Boris hides a violent antipathy to religion. His magnetic charisma draws Domini, even as he guards a secret that could tear them apart. He wrestles with guilt, loyalty, and the urge to confess, ultimately choosing love at a grave cost.

A worldly Italian aristocrat who guides and cautions Domini. He senses the danger in Boris and warns that the desert can magnify a man’s flaws. Anteoni acts as a chorus to the events, offering perspective and a worldly counterpoint to the priest and the vow-bound narrator.

The monastery priest who promised to watch over Domini. He fears Boris’s influence and warns Domini against forming attachments, yet his sense of duty and protection provides a foil to Boris’s secrecy. He embodies religious authority and the moral tensions at play.

A desert guide who accompanies the caravan and serves as a steady, loyal presence. He helps navigate the perilous journey and witnesses the evolving dynamics between Domini and Boris. His steady demeanor contrasts with the volatility of the lovers’ secret.

An exotic dancer who becomes a catalyst in the story. Her flirtations and volatile choices influence Antoine and the direction of the plot, adding a layer of temptation and danger to the narrative. Irena’s presence underscores the fragility of relationships in a desert moral landscape.

A returning figure who recognizes Boris and carries memory of past events. His interactions reveal the rekindling of old tensions and foreshadow the consequences of hidden truths. He embodies the confrontational pull between past and present.

A desert seer who prophesies Domini’s voyage and warns of a grave fate yet hints at something glorious. The diviner frames the desert as a living entity that tests belief and foresight. His cryptic warnings propel the plot toward its moral reckoning.

The guiding authority at Domini’s rearing convent, she represents mercy and restraint. She counsels Domini to seek herself in solitude and keeps a distant watch over Boris’s influence. Her presence anchors the moral framework within which the lovers operate.