Sheik

By Edith Maude Hull and E.M. Hull

Book Overview

Diana Mayo is young, beautiful, wealthy--and independent. Bored by the eligible bachelors and endless parties of the English aristocracy, she arranges for a horseback trek through the Algerian desert. Two days into her adventure, Diana is kidnapped by the powerful Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan, who forces her into submission. Diana tries desperately to resist but finds herself falling in love with this dark and handsome stranger. Only when a rival chieftain steals Diana away does the Sheik realize that what he feels for her is more than mere passion. He has been conquered--and risks everything to get her back. The power of love reaches across the desert sands, leading to the thrilling and unexpected conclusion.

One of the most widely read novels of the 1920s, and forever fixed in the popular imagination in the film version starring the irresistible Rudolph Valentino, The Sheik is recognized as the immediate precursor to the modern romance novel. When first published there was nothing like it: To readers the story was scandalous, exotic, and all-consuming; to such critics as the New York Times the book was "shocking," although written with "a high degree of literary skill." In the author's native England, the bestselling book was labeled "poisonously salacious" by the Literary Review and banned from some communities. But the public kept reading.

The influence of The Sheik on romance writers and readers continues to resonate. Despite controversy over its portrayal of sexual exploitation as a means to love, The Sheik remains a popular classic for its representation of the social order of its time, capturing contemporary attitudes toward colonialism as well as female power and independence that still strike a chord with readers today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812217632
• ISBN13: 9780812217636
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Pine Street Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Good times.

This was the 1st 'romance' novel that I ever read. I had found it tucked behind other books on my Granny's bookshelf. Owning my own copy and reading it brought back memories of spending hours being curled up next to Granny, drinking tea and discussing our latest and next reads!

Great Romantic Fiction

I've always loved this novel. I've read it three times now. It's definitely one of the great romances of all times.

hopelessly romantic

I first read this book when I was 14, at the time I found it very romantic. It has been years frome that moment, and reading it again took me back in time, and I still think is a very romantic book, even thought is in fact chauvinist, makes you want to be abducted and find a hidden love away from anything else...

can't help but love it

It seems like this is one of those books that polarizes people. People either love it, hate it, or don't get it. Of course it's dated, incredibly racist, and horribly demeaning to women, but it's also one of the most captivating books I've ever read. The book is so well written that it is hard not to enjoy even while being disgusted. I won't bother to summarize the plot because others here already have. Part of what makes The Sheik so fascinating is to watch Diana's painful and rather revolting transformation. The Sheik is not realistic or politically correct in any way, but it is a lot of fun. The Sheik, as one of the first modern romance novels and as one of the most popular books of the 1920's, has had a very real impact on today's romance novels. The whole Sheik experienced has been influenced and enhanced for me by the fact I'm reading my great-grandmother's copy that she recieved for Christmas in 1922. Reading and enjoying the books of yesterday makes the past feel closer and more alive. I like to think that a woman I never knew poured over the pages of the same book.

Has weathered the years very nicely

Rather bored by the endless parties of the English aristocracy and the shallowness of the current crop of eligible bachelors, the wealthy, young and lovely Diana Mayo deserts to travel by horseback through the Algerian desert. There she is kidnaped by the powerful Sheik Ahmed Ban Hassan who compels her submission. Diana resists but can't help falling in love with this dark and handsome stranger. E.M. Hall was the pseudonym of Edith Maude Winstanley, and her 1920s era novel, The Sheik (and the basis for the famous Rudolph Valentino silent movie of the same name), has weathered the years very nicely and continues to be an outstanding and highly recommended romance novel for a whole new generation of readers.

A Wonderful old story!

I too found this book in my parent's collection. It was first published in 1921 and is beginning to show it. I read it first in my early twenties...wow! I could not put it down! Even though it is about kidnapping and forced affection (to say more would ruin it), it was terribly romantic! An easy read, but so enthralling! I still read it every year or so. I am looking for Sons of the Sheik and not having much luck. I've tried used book stores as well as online...I'll keep digging!