Harem Girl: A Harem Girl's Journal by M. Saalih
BUY IT USED from PaperbackshopUS
Ships from: Elk Grove Village, IL
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping Options:
- Standard Domestic
(Paperback)
Details from Seller
- ISBN: 0595313000
- Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
- Pub. Date: March 2004
- Condition:
Comments from the Seller: This item will be shipped from our warehouse in Chicago.
About the Seller
Seller Name: PaperbackshopUS
Feedback Rating:
(1027 ratings)
In Business Since: 2002
Authorized Seller Since: 2009
Ships From: Elk Grove Village, IL
- View this Seller's: Profile | Feedback
Synopsis
An outrageously sexy harem girl story. It will arouse your curiosity and curl your toes as the sheikh's slave girl reveals the secrets of submissive love.
Customer Reviews
- Reader Rating:
- Ratings: 3Reviews: 3
- See All Reviews
Harem Girl: A Harem Girl's Journalby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
01/06/2006: When I bought this book I was concerned whether the author would fall into that common trap of falling off the edge of erotica and into pornography. It is after all an immensly sexual subject - life of a young girl in an Arabian sheik's harem. Well rest assured. Saalih does a magical job. The novel is compellingly sexy yet tastfully written and has a wonderful story line grounded in history. Saalih has obviously done her homework and produced a winner. Read this book with someone you want to undress!
Harem Girl: A Harem Girl's Journalby Anonymous
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
10/06/2004: The late Edward Said proposed in his theories of 'Orientalism' that the Western world views the East through a filter of its own fantasies as a place of ruthless barbarism and luxurious sensuality, rather than as the complex and very human culture it actually is. While Said may at times be accused of oversimplifying his own view of the West, he does touch on some truths: 'Exotic Love Secrets of the Orient' would almost certainly garner more sales in an American bookstore than would 'Exotic Love Secrets of Topeka, Kansas.' 'Harem Girl,' complete with an eye-catching cover of an imaginary Arab slave market by Jean-Leon Gerome, gives us an interesting example of Orientalism. It purports to be the diary of one Mariyah/Sapphira, a disenchanted Muslim wife who concocts a plan to spend time in an Arabian slave harem, in which she becomes trapped and falls in love with her master. The story, of course, is first and foremost a way to describe life in the harem as a backdrop to a slave girl fantasy, with an emphasis on its sensual and sexual aspects. These are discussed in great detail, showing us that the author was diligent about her research. The writing is generally good as well, and the clever Forward and use of Arabic letters at the beginnings of the two main sections of the book are nice touches. I had, however, two difficulties with 'Harem Girl.' First, because it is a Western sexual fantasy, it simply doesn't match up with actual Arab family behavior, which places a heavy emphasis on having children, and assigns status based on one's success in this regard. Sheik Ali's love of sex but disinterest in fathering a family until late in the book comes across as inauthentic for an Arab man of his time, as does the lack of interest in motherhood among the women of his harem. Other features of the sexual fantasy are also overemphasized: like many heroes in romance novels, Sheik Ali is filthy rich, meaning that Mariyah/Sapphira and the other slave girls get to spend a lot of time bathing and lounging around hoping to be called to the Sheik's bedroom that night for a good dose of that legendary and kinky oriental loving, but have few other duties or responsibilities. This is another misconception that can be seen in the paintings of harem life by Western artists of the 19th century, where attractive, fair-skinned women are shown lounging around nearly naked by the pool. The problem is that it's hard to find such characters interesting. Which is the second difficulty with this book: it lacks tension. Life in the harem is too easy, lacking the backstabbing and intrigue commonly associated with the institution, and Mariyah/Sapphira's problems are not solved by her but instead by her handsome, rich Sheik. She displays a nice degree of independence and motivation to get herself into Sheik Ali's harem, but none whatsoever once she is there. We must keep in mind, however, that the emphasis of this book is not anthropological or historical accuracy. It was written as a sexual fantasy for Western culture, and it is interesting in what it shows about that culture. Like all sexual fantasies it is quite specific in its target; it either will hit your button or it won't, much like Ann Rice's 'Beauty' trilogy, John Norman's 'Gor' series, or Karen Anne Mitchell's 'The Usahar.' So while I can't recommend 'Harem Girl' as traditional literature, it does achieve its purpose as a fantasy. And if you are a fan of Edward Said and his views, I'd...
loading...