This volume is both a travel book and a love story. Anne Caulfield writes of travelling in Jordan and falling in love with a Bedouin. Her narrative offers insights into the country - from the traditional tent life of nomadic tribes to the first woman MPs battle with fundamentalist colleagues. Many Western myths about the Arab world are unpicked by the author, but this is not an impersonal analysis as the cultural and political issues presented are all set within the framework of a love story.
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"The hotel I wanted had no address." Thus begins Annie Caulfield's journey through Jordan, an odyssey inspired by an intrepid female traveler from an earlier time, Gertrude Bell. But whereas Gertrude went to the desert to forget a love, Ms. Caulfield discovers one there--Rathwan, a Bedouin man with film-star looks. In her sympathetic exploration of modern Arab culture, Kingdom of the Film Stars, Annie Caulfield attempts to present a more benign image of Arab men than either the fantasy sheikh made famous by Rudolph Valentino or the callous manipulator of innocent Western women/kidnapper of children so often portrayed in modern news stories, films, and books. In this bittersweet account of her relationship with Rathwan, she largely succeeds.
Though the love affair between Caulfield and Rathwan is at the heart of Kingdom of the Film Stars, Caulfield's beautiful portrait of modern-day Jordan is what distinguishes the story, inviting readers into the mysterious, vanishing culture of the Bedouin. As she weaves her tales of Jordan's history, people, and politics, Annie Caulfield also destroys many of the West's most cherished misconceptions about the Arab world.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointment both as a travel guide and as a love story,
By A Customer
This review is from: Kingdom of the Film Stars: Journey into Jordan (Paperback)
This book was a disappointment both as a travel guide and as a love story. Annie Caulfield deals with both topics in a completely superficial manner. Romantically, the reader is unable to appreciate the bond between these people with the shallow details provided. It was completely obvious that this relationship was never going to last, and the ultimate resolution comes as no surprise to anyone. Practically, and more offensively, this book offers nothing but travel snapshots: of quaint, pretty sights; of stereotypical natives; of amusing little incidents on the Road to Wherever worthy of Bob and Bing. Ms. Caulfield perhaps sees everything through love-struck eyes, but the reader could have predicted most of her characters before reading the book: the affable hotel desk clerk; the beautifully dressed, modern cousin; the tiny, grinning, Bedouin aunt; the stern, complacent Bedouin father. Brief discussions of politics, history, and location are inserted almost as an afterthought and have about as much impact. More background information would have lent much-needed context to the love story and made the whole a richer work. I began this book eagerly as I have just moved to Amman and want to learn about Jordan and its people. Unfortunately, Ms. Caulfield failed to satisfy on both an intellectual level and an emotional one. I give the book 2/5 stars solely because a few of the descriptions of places (such as Petra) and food stirred my curiosity to learn more, from another source, about my new home.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Shallow and Uncompelling,
By A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Kingdom of the Film Stars: Journey into Jordan (Paperback)
Kind of a drecky book which has a great deal more to do with the English authoress' personal life and issues than any kind of examination of Jordan. She presents herself as an intrepid traveler who falls in love with a Jordanian Bedouin. The book revolves around their relationship and the trails and tribulations of trying to keep it alive. While there are a few interesting tidbits scattered here and there, there are many other books more worthy of your time.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
comment on kingdom of the film stars,
By Berna Kriel (Republic of South Africa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Kingdom of the Film Stars: Journey into Jordan (Paperback)
The way Western women experience life and a love affair in Jordan is described in an enlightning way, while at the same time the main tourist attractions are brought to the attention of the reader. If you are interested in the Middle East, this book is a must
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