The Beduins' Gazelle (Harper Trophy Books) [Paperback]

Frances Temple (Author), David Bowers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1998 | Series: Harper Trophy Books

When she and he were only babies, they were pledged in marriage. Now Atiyah has been sent away -- a political pawn in a war between the Beduin tribes in the year 1302. He vows to return to her as soon as he can.

But while Atiyah is studying at the great university in Fez, Halima is lost in a sandstorm. Rescued by an enemy tribe, she is told that she must marry their powerful sheikh and live in his harem -- never to see her people again. Halima does what she can to resist, but she has no choice. In three moons' time she will become the youngest wife of the cruel and greedy Raisulu -- unless Atiyah can find her. But where in the vast sea of desert can he begin his search for his beloved?The last novel from award-winning author Frances Temple, this companion to The Ramsay Scallop is a romantic tale of intrigue, adventure, and true love, set against the backdrop of medieval Arabia.

‘Temple’s evocation of the Beduin—a grand, generous nation of poets and storytellers shaped by their religion and their hostile, sometimes beautiful, environment—is easily as vivid as the
storyline. . . . This book glitters with the intelligence and skill of a gifted storyteller, and will sweep readers along on an exotic, satisfying adventure.’ —Pointer/Kirkus Reviews

An American Bookseller Association Pick of the Lists, 1996
A Book Links Editors' Choice of 1996The last novel from award-winning author Frances Temple, this companion to The Ramsay Scallop is a romantic tale of intrigue, adventure, and true love, set against the backdrop of medieval Arabia.

‘Temple’s evocation of the Beduin—a grand, generous nation of poets and storytellers shaped by their religion and their hostile, sometimes beautiful, environment—is easily as vivid as the
storyline. . . . This book glitters with the intelligence and skill of a gifted storyteller, and will sweep readers along on an exotic, satisfying adventure.’ —Pointer/Kirkus Reviews

An American Bookseller Association Pick of the Lists, 1996
A Book Links Editors' Choice of 1996

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sequel to The Ramsay Scallop, a pair of star-crossed lovers challenge a wicked uncle in the 14th-century in the Middle East. "Temple is at the top of her game here, deftly handling societal issues with a spirited style," said PW in a starred review. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?The year is 1302 and Halima, the gazelle of the title, is betrothed to her cousin Atiyah. The young people look forward to the wedding, but their happiness is postponed. Saladeen, a powerful kinsman, sends Atiyah to Fez. He insists the young man must study the Koran, purportedly in order to unite warring factions in the tribe, but actually to strengthen his own position with the Caliph. Atiyah loathes leaving the desert, but believes his actions will please the Archangel Gabriel and bring much needed rain. Meanwhile, while migrating in search of water, Halima falls into the hands of the enemy tribe whose sheikh decides to make her his youngest wife. With the help of his foreign friend Etienne, Atiyah sets out to rescue his beloved. There are fascinating glimpses of everyday life here: Beduin women gathering camel hair for rugs, university students arguing in the classroom, men bursting forth into poetry as they come together for horse trading and camel racing. While telling this romantic tale, Temple also touches upon conflicts within the larger society, e.g., the Beduin way of life versus that of the educated urban mullahs, and the struggle between Islam and Christianity. As in Suzanne Staples's Shabanu (Knopf, 1989), this story shows young people striving to reconcile their individual hopes and dreams with the demands of a traditional society. A lyrical final offering from a gifted writer who died the day she sent this book to her editor.?Ellen D. Warwick, Winchester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (January 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406695
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406697
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Medieval
  • #32 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT up to standards, May 17, 2002

By 

Karissa (margate, florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beduins' Gazelle (Harper Trophy Books) (Paperback)

This book was neither extravagantly wonderful or treacherously boring. In fact at the beginning it was exciting and then as the story progressed it became bland. And then there was a sudden turn at the end of the book, where the sheik handed over Halima to Atiya.The story didn't go through smoothly. I can see how some people would like the book, but I would not recommend it.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable story of another time and culture, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beduins' Gazelle (Library Binding)

The love story between Atiyah and Halima is told in beautiful language and with much suspense. When Atiyah is forced to go study in Fez, then Halima is lost in the desert, you wonder "will they ever see each other again?" I liked this book more than the Ramsay Scallop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Hidalgo" Meets Soap Operas, February 17, 2010

By 

Abatar - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beduins' Gazelle (Harper Trophy Books) (Paperback)

I read this book when I want a good laugh. It's like the author wrote it after watching soap operas taped over the movie "Hidalgo". When I see a book that promises adventure, romance, and a bit of good historical fiction and it falls short-- I can't help but wonder what was going through the author's mind (or the editor's mind for that matter)!

That aside, the story started well. I enjoyed the creative story-telling language. And some of the cultural references were interesting, albeit confusing at times.

But I was greatly disappointed by the characters, which seemed to be drawn well, but lacked personal conviction. Halima was, in the end, just a damsel in distress (and very resigned to it too, I might add). This would have left a perfect opportunity for her boyfriend Atiyah to step up and be the valiant hero, but instead his friend Etienne does most of the action. Atiyah is the most exciting when he is reciting poetry, but that is all. This is a book of secondary characters: the kind where you wish the author would chuck the first prototypes out the door and start over with the support crew in the lead.

After I was finished it, I wondered why I had wasted my time. The ending seemed too easy, and there wasn't really any climax to Halima and Atiyah's romance. Not to mention that their friends were the only ones who thought up any kind of plan to keep them together...whilst they were sighing over the inevitability of their separation.

To conclude: don't spend your time or money on this book unless you like this sort of thing, or you want to chuckle over the weak plot. The poorly made picture on the cover basically says it all.