Customer Reviews

Harem of Aman Akbar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A rough-and-ready shepherdess/princess is swept off by a genii to be the wife of the charming Aman Akbar. The problem is he can't get enough, and is unforturnately turned into an ass while trying to get a fourth wife. The other three wives set off to save the ass and prevent the marriage. This book is full of exciting adventure and surprising twists. Scarborough is at her best here, and, as always, is extremely funny.

Although Scarborough has some serious and even troubling fiction under her belt--"The Healer's War," for instance, a harrowing look at the Viet Nam conflict from a nurse's point of view--the majority of her books are lighter, airy confections. "The Harem of Aman Akbar" falls into this latter category. Set in a fantasy version of the Islamic world, it tells the story of Aman Akbar and his multiple wives. When their husband lands in big trouble while going after wife number four, his wives show their mettle by rescuing him. With great humor, Scarborough shreds the stereotype of sultry and submissive harem women. One of the joys of this book is seeing the different personalities of the wives and how they not only get along with each other, but work together to save their husband. There are no deep ideas or complex characters in this book, but Scarborough's wit makes it a quick, fun read.

I have just finished reading this. (okay, I have 3 pages left when I put it down last night). I had never heard of it before, and just happened to pick it up for 50 cents in a used bookstore when I was stuck in Idaho, and it had interesting cover art.

It is delicious!!!!!! What a wonderful little piece of fiction. I found it very charming; and I am going to look for more of this author's stuff now just to see if she tries this alternative theme again.

It is a "fantasy" book, set roughly on earth, but in a non-western setting (well the main character is westerner) starting in the "Islamic" world and ending in newly conquered "Sindh" in the Subcontinent. (I use " " because all the names are altered) It has a genie and other magic bits, but it is not common place. I think it is a really great little book and I am just tickled pink that I found such a well put together story.

It's fun fantasy, thr kind that breaks the fourth wall without shame, making fun of itself and several others in the process. Packed with jokes, outrageous schemes, and the just plain weird... I'd highly recommend this first book of a now well-known author. Elizabeth S. has a great writing style and truly unique ideas. It brings to mind <i>Castle in the Air</i>, though I can't for the life of me remember the author of that. Ah well. I do recommend this book!

This novel is diverting the way a Saturday morning series would be: it emphasizes action over theme, plot over character, peril episodes over suspense. The main characters show little motivation, but instead work with various magical powers. The plot never really endangers any of the primary players, and therefore will not be disturbing to sensitive readers. The fantasy world depicted is not meant to make any incisive remarks or observations of our world-- rather, it serves to provide an escape from our world.