The Sheik

Rating:
Summary: The Sheik
Review: I first discovered this book one summer when I was a teenager in among my mothers stash of old books upstairs. It was old and falling apart, the copyright was 1921. But I fell in love with it! It is passionate and romantic in a way books are not written anymore. This book inspired me to start writing on my own. About every year I start wanting to read it again and since is it so old and the pages no longer stick to the binding it is time for me to get a new one. This book is for everyone who loves passionate, old fashioned romances. Boy sees girl, boy kidnaps girl and forces her to be his love slave.......

Rating:
Summary: Interesting relic, little more
Review: I rather enjoyed the kitchy Valentino film based on this book so I decied to check it out. Also, I was curious to read a "scandalous" best seller from 1919.

What annoyed me was the instant about face of the heroine's principals. One page, she is a confident feminist. The next, she is breathless, whimpering and whining, deeply in love with an extremely abusive and domineering man.

I am all for old fashioned romance but this seems a bit much.

There is no catylist for this change in attitude, one minute Diana hates the Sheik's guts and them about halfway through, he shoots her horse out from under her and she figures that she can't live without him. This is especially disappointing since other passages in the book are psychologically accurate. The descriptions of post traumatic stress are realistic.

The prose is another problem. The book starts with readable prose but then descends into purple slush. I noticed that the author has about ten pet words that are used over and over again. (savage, brutal, cruel, slim, boyish, mutinous) I had a good time opening the book at random and finding one of these words. (This works about 95% of the time)

Also, can a book really be so good that pretty much advocates attempted suicide as a means to getting Mr. Right? I think not! The fact that this story is blessing a rather abusive relationship is in itself distressing. The title character is selfish, unpleasant and a general boor and I fail to see why he would be considered such a catch.

I realize I will be accused of being a rabid feminist (and get a flurry of NOT HELPFUL votes, all negative reviews do and its a bit sad since I'm voicing my opinion just like everyone else) but the truth of the matter is this: I demand psychological accuracy and interesting characters from the books I read. Almost any other sin can be forgiven. I love melodrama as much as the next girl but this book was way out there in terms of oddness.

This is an interesting period piece but most certainly not something I would normally read.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting..
Review: I read the Sheik and it was interesting. I liked it but to be honest, there was not too much going on, it mostly revolved around the woman's emotions which was fine. The main part that I was disappointed in(of course this is to be expected in the 1920's when it was written) was the predjudice. Not to try to ruin, but the main character turned out to not be an Arab, but I guess the book would have caused more of a scandal if there had been an interracial relationship during a time when relations were shaky at best between east and west.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful old story!
Review: I too found this book in my parent's collection. It was first published in 1921 and is beginning to show it. I read it first in my early twenties...wow! I could not put it down! Even though it is about kidnapping and forced affection (to say more would ruin it), it was terribly romantic! An easy read, but so enthralling! I still read it every year or so. I am looking for Sons of the Sheik and not having much luck. I've tried used book stores as well as online...I'll keep digging!

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books!
Review: My mother read this when she was 13 years old. She has never forgotten it. I am thankful that Amazon sent it to me. This is a truly romantic story. Full of emotion. There are no bad words, no sexual details, but extremely emotional. This is a story that all girls dream about. If you read this book, you will realize the difference between the writing style of authors from years back.

Rating:
Summary: like watching a train wreck
Review: Rather bored by the endless parties of the English aristocracy and the shallowness of the current crop of eligible bachelors, the wealthy, young and lovely Diana Mayo deserts to travel by horseback through the Algerian desert. There she is kidnaped by the powerful Sheik Ahmed Ban Hassan who compels her submission. Diana resists but can't help falling in love with this dark and handsome stranger. E.M. Hall was the pseudonym of Edith Maude Winstanley, and her 1920s era novel, The Sheik (and the basis for the famous Rudolph Valentino silent movie of the same name), has weathered the years very nicely and continues to be an outstanding and highly recommended romance novel for a whole new generation of readers.

Rating:
Summary: Fun book to read.
Review: The Sheik is an entertaining book for light, enjoyable reading. I don't consider it a great book, but certainly it is a classic of the 1920's. I would certainly recommend it to my friends for the reason stated above.
Before or after reading this book watch the movie it's based on with Rudolph Valentino, it's very glamorous for its time.