The Kadin

Rating:
Summary: Different
Review: This has been one of the first historical romances that i've read that the main character starts out a thirteen yr old girl who ends up sleeping with someone several years older than her, and frankly that put me off a bit, her being 13, but u have 2 remember at those times that was common practice. The book did pick up after awhile and I got past the age thing. There were a few other minor things that bothered me but the story overall was enjoyable it had ups and downs and took me longer than normal to read, and it's not one i'll be quick to reread, however if this book interests u buy it read it WHATEVER I know most times reviews discourage me from a good book (that if i hadn't tried myself i would never have found out)so i say experience it for yourself. U might might find a gem where i didn't.

Rating:
Summary: Cyra is my idol!
Review: I loved... abolutely LOVED this book. I first got it from a woman giving away a lot of her books due to moving and I read it until it fell apart. Then I bought another copy, which will likely also need replacing soon. Whenever I need a good dose of pick-me-up, I head straight for Ms. Small... usually to The Kadin. Lady Janet Leslie-turned-Cyra (Hafise) is a woman for women to be proud of -- a worthy heroine! Since I only objected to a tiny scene near the very end of the book, I could not remove even one star for trivialities such as that... but it was my own personal hang-up on the personality and identity of Cyra that the way her old friend Colin treated her near the end of the book should not have been tolerated, considering who she was - both the most powerful and beloved woman in the Ottoman Empire, and the strong-willed, not-to-be-trifled-with woman that she was. I don't care if she was past fifty by then; the Cyra I know should have had him killed for such presumption. I would have, if I were her... never doubt it! However, I may be more upset about that one small scene than necessary, considering Cyra is my hero, but what a worthy hero she is! Set in the fascinating world of a Turkish harem at a young age, Cyra is transformed from an impetuous child to a beloved and sweet, yet powerful woman. The nature of the harem life necessitated that she be ruthless when it was called for; and she had the strength of character to never shirk what needed to be done and the wisdom to know how and when to act in order to be in control of her own life. Though she lived in a harem, she was NEVER a slave or a victim, as harem life is usually portrayed -- indeed, she and her 'sisters' (Sultan Selim's other wives) made harem life seem very appealing. The four women shared a husband but there was never any jealousy or anger between them - they loved each other and each other's children more than anything. This story was touching and beautiful, the plot engrossing, the characters endearing and the setting fascinating. It made me extremely interested in Turkish history and harem life in that time period. This was one book that I most certainly would have loved to live in, had I the chance. I urge anyone to not pass it up. I have since read every Bertrice Small book that I could get my hands on, but "The Kadin" and Cyra still hold my heart, followed only closely by Cyra's descendant, Catriona, in "Love Wild and Fair," who most certainly has Janet Leslie's spirit - though staying mostly in Europe. What I love about Ms. Small is her attention to detail and being able to make wonderful pictures with her words. I know what Cyra's clothes looked like, her rooms, her jewelry, and of course her face. I enjoyed that aspect so much that to this day, it is difficult for me to enjoy a book unless I can picture every scene down to the last detail, and unlike many other authors, Ms. Small's detailing is never boring or used as a page-filler, but it's descriptive and fascinating - an integral part of the story. Another thing I like about Ms. Small's writing is the fact that she makes it possible for the heroines to fall in love over and over again - loving each person differently. She never makes it seem that if one got separated from her lover, her life was over and she could never love again - that there is only ONE person on earth for anyone to love and if they're gone or have been separated, there is nothing to be done but curl up and die. She rarely ends her books with the herione ending up with her first ["and only"] love, and if she does, she usually makes it so that there is another love in-between that the heroine may love differently, but loves all the same. I like that, because the Jack-and-Jill-Forever scenario rarely works out in real life. People may lose each other, but life and love go on. That is the feeling that I get from reading Bertrice Small, and even though "The Kadin" doesn't follow the usual format, it remains my favorite through the beauty of the setting, the heartwarming tale of romance and friendship and most of all the strength of character of the woman.

Rating:
Summary: Janet Leslie is a heroine worthy of admiration !
Review: I adored this book---it's actually the first Bertrice Small book I ever read--and it was many years ago. I recently picked it up again re-read it. I couldn't believe that I enjoyed this book as much a decade later, as I had when I'd first read it. I especially enjoyed seeing the 'beginnings' of the Leslie saga ! One of my favorite elements in Bertrice Small's books are her use of Sagas, and familiar characters. As much as I love the O'Malley tales, the Leslies of Glenkirk have a special place in my heart. This book is a delightful read...enjoy it !

Rating:
Summary: One of her best
Review: This has always been my favourite book by Bertrice Small. I have read it many times. My favourite part of the book would have to be the friendship between Cyra, Zuleika, Furousi, and Sarina. I hope if my muslim husband takes 3 other wives that the four of us would be like those 4; friends for ever.

Rating:
Summary: Low Key Bertrice
Review: The characters in the Kadin were not the husband hopping, lover taking, wild sex having characters that are usually found in Bertrice Small's other books. This tale was very unlike the usually violent stories that Ms. Small writes. It had a comfortable familiarity that allowed you to become more attached to the characters themselves than you usually might in a run of the mill romance novel. The Kadin is the story of a woman and her family, her husband, his harem, their children and the joys and sorrows that they all live through. The cheese factor that is commonplace in so many romances is missing from this book and in its place is a sort of tender, low key, cry for the characters you love... affection.

Rating:
Summary: Yes! Yes! Yes!
Review: No one but Bertrice Small could show you the world of the Ottoman Empire and its culture in such an incredibly exciting light. I have all of Bertrice Small's books. I have read them all several times. This is one of my absolute favorites! Historically accurate, this book shows how 4 women survived living in a harem. These women did not choose their fate as slaves, but made a pact to be strong and support one another. It was the only way to survive in the harem. Magnificent writing! Beautiful descriptions! Strong Characters! Historical Accuracy! Emotional and intense scenes! A must read for anyone who enjoys historical romance, but wants something new.

Rating:
Summary: The first and the BEST from Ms. Small. A CLASSIC.
Review: At first when I read this, I couldn't grasp the concept of four women sharing a male without sniping and backbiting, either. Then I read it again. And again. And I learned that in other cultures and other time periods, it wasn't only possible but most likely happened. All of the characters are strong and well-developed without being whiny or weak. I loved how the friendships of all of the women evolved, making it a "chick story" in a funny little way. Selim was a strong man without being overbearing, and Besma was a perfect synonym for evil - the plots that woman came up with! Perhaps it's funny that this book contains the least descriptions of graphic sex out of all of Small's novels - I went specifically searching one day to try and find them and came up with very little. I can imagine the treatment it would be given today if Small were to redo it. (And I pray that never, ever happens.)

Start with the first and the best here. There's nothing else like it. A true classic romance of the 70's, and beyond.

Rating:
Summary: The Kadin
Review: This book was given to me by my mother quite a few years ago. I was fascinated from page one. Icould not put it down. I am not one who could share my husband, in fact I have a bit of a problem with the green monster, but we must realise the different way of things in different times and different countries. I guess that is where the fascination lies. Though most of us do not wish to believe it, things like this were commonplace many, MANY, years ago. The descriptions put me right there, as if I were really observing what was happening. I would recommend this book to anyone. It has romance and suspence rolled into one, as well as intrigue, and family ties. One tends to think about what is best, as opposed to what one wants. Please read this to get a look at a different lifestyle, and how strong the will of a person can be.Evi Johnson/ [e-mail] I have totally worn out the book. First it broke in half, then pages started falling out. That is

Rating:
Summary: 441 pages of beautiful, romantic work.
Review: I have all of Ms Smalls 25 books, but I would have to say that the Kadin, would have to be her greatest work to date. There is not one moment in the novel that you are bored or start skipping lines and pages to get to something more exciting. It is a well constructed story through the years of Janet Leslie to Cyra Hafise. I have the old 1978 copy, which has been read so much the pages are starting to fall out. Time to buy a new copy. Do yourself a favour and buy the Kadin, you won't be disapointed.

Rating:
Summary: The Kadin. Fantastic
Review: Although, the idea of life in a harem really threw me off. I became glad that I find it hard to stop a book once I've started it. Despite, my initial reaction. This book had some incredibly touching moments. And yes. It did lose a bit of it's value When Cyra returned to her homeland but even then she did so with style. It showed the spirited woman she was and always would be.

This book showed that people can adapt to anything. And do it gracefully. True it would have been different if she had gone into her situation (living in a harem) purposely. But she didn't. What she did was take a situation that could have turned really bad really fast and made it more than tolerable. She made it a joy. Cyra has style. And Selim is depicted as a man more than a Sultan which is marvelous. I've read this book several times over and I'd reccommend it to anyone. Cyra personifies a woman in complete control of her life. Even when things seem to be crashing down around her. The only draw back is of course that her son didn't grow up to be the ma wwe'd hoped and that The so many of the sons of Selim died. Accurate of the way history was perhaps. But a let down that someone as resourceful as Cyra and the other wives couldn't find a better way.