Customer Reviews

Kingdom of the Film Stars: Journey into Jordan

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

 

 

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.

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.

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

A poignant and touching travelogue about an English womens love affair in modern day Jordan. The authoress realizes that the religious and social morass of her relationship cannot be overcome. Caulfield paints a colorful potrait of the culture and city of Amman, her characterizations add a sense of reality to the whole escapade.She shows that her love will not come to fruition because of the cultural differences.

I have been to Jordan several times and have made friends there. I was so pleased to find a book from a Western standpoint. I, however, was disappointed that more of the romance between the woman and the man, and the culture was not shared. I felt Anne was holding back for Rathwan's sake. If this is the case then I wished she would have changed the names to protect people's feelings and tell the whole story on how it felt to love a man from a very different culture.

Jordan is a very romantic and beautiful area. Many Jordanians are very inquisitive and gracious. Yes, there are a lot of issues concerning religion, family honor, and women's roles in society that I would have liked Anne to share more of. I think it would have made it a deeper experience for the reader.

Jordan is a fantastic place to journey to. You will learn a lot about yourself and another culture.

This book illustrates a bitter sweet love story between a western woman and her younger middle eastern lover. The lovers may have married if it weren't for the stubborness of each to keep their native lifestyles,or the ambigous treatment of the author. The entire story is exquistely lace with erotic tension, it is an intellectual racy read.