The Sheik E M. Hull this edition circa 1921 rare volume published by Small Maynard & Co. A charming Arabian sheik becomes infatuated with an adventurous, modern-thinking Englishwoman and abducts her to his home in the Saharan desert. Story synopsis from inside cover--"A Passionate novel of love, with all the movement and action of a 'western' story, all the glamor and color of the desert, swiftly, dramatically told. The life of an Arab sheik, with a profound study of the psychology of woman, and scenes of intense dramatic incident and passion." An extremely popular book that was published multiple printings--this edition 20th edition August 1921. It was a very "racy" book for it's time. It was a best seller--many people purchased and read it "secretly" as it was not your "typical Victorian romance". See Plot summary below-- Edith Maude Hull's fictional The Sheik inspired a whole subgenre of desert romance, in which hot, swarthy Arabs kidnap reckless white women. The Sheik is a 1919 novel by English writer E. M. Hull originally published in the UK. It was the first of a series of novels she wrote with desert settings that set off a major revival of the "desert romance" genre of romantic fiction It was a huge best-seller and the most popular of her books, and it served as the basis for the film of the same name starring the Italian actor Rudolph Valentino in the title role. Valentino's playful treatment of the character captivated female audiences and established him as Hollywood's first male sex symbol. The Sheik (novel) became extremely Popular Stemming from the popularity of Rudolph Valentino's desert romance The Sheik (1921)--the Silent Movie of the same name). What does sheik mean in the 1920s?-- “sheik” became a 1920s slang term for a handsome, desirable man. In time, it evolved to mean the kind of fashionable young swell who hung out with flappers–the male counterpart of the flapper, if you will.
PLOT SUMMARY
The novel opens in a hotel in the Algerian city of Biskra. A dance is being held, hosted by a young woman named Diana Mayo and her brother, Sir Aubrey Mayo. It transpires that Diana is planning to leave on a month-long trip into the desert, taking no one with her but an Arab guide. Nobody thinks this is a sensible idea, and Lady Conway—a real person who appears in the book as a minor character—disapprovingly attributes Diana's adventurous plan to her "scandalous" upbringing. Diana's mother had died giving birth to her and her father had killed himself from grief, with the result that Diana grew up tomboyish, with a freedom that at the time was normally only allowed to boys.
Before Diana leaves on her journey, her independent character is further established when she refuses a proposal of marriage, explaining that she doesn't know what love is and doesn't want to know. Once she begins traveling in the desert, it is not long before she is kidnapped by the eponymous Sheik, Ahmed Ben Hassan. It turns out her guide had been bribed.
The world changed after WWI and "reality" novels were starting to become more popular as the reality of life was changing. The years of Victorian propriety was changing as the Edwardian age evolved and the horrors of war were experienced. The Sheik was One of the first "soap opera" popular novels..."romance" in the "modern" age. One of the early "racy" novels of the time as the "moral" code was changing in the aftermath of WWI.
Nice book for your bookshelf or side table; charmingly quaint shabby chic decor. Very pretty shabby chic book with intriguing story line and plot...Edwardian turn of the Century Romantic novel...a modern romance of the time. It's an interesting glimpse into the thought of the times of WWI and people's relationships.
It's such a nice book--lovely to add to your decor. (see pics and check shop main page for more info on shipping etc and ask questions if needed) Check out our shop for more items in the WhenRosesBloom collection.
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DIMENSIONS and SPECS: Approx. 7 3/8" X 5 1/2" X 1 1/4" 396 Pages Small Maynard and Company Publishers Boston Circa 1921 August 1921 20th edition Red color binding with Black title artwork. Paper jacket with great artwork. Small tear on publish/date page at bottom. Small sticker inside Union Station Bookshop Fred Harvey Kansas City Book was purchased at Union Station most likely to read on a long train trip. Nice volume with rare paper jacket included. Binding in good condition (tight and firm) wear to paper jacket on book (corners, edges and spine front/back) from being on shelf--book itself does not have much visible wear, cover is bright and not worn or faded--This book is in wonderful condition for its age over 100 years old and has been well cared for as the dust jacket protected it --see detail pictures and be sure to view all photos. Please see photos as they are part of the description. Use zoom feature to see greater detail.
Please note that vintage items are at least 20 years old and have had a prior "life" and will have some normal wear and imperfections appropriate with the age. Any major or noticeable flaws will be mentioned in the listing. You are purchasing a Book The Sheik only. Any other items shown in photos are for display purposes only and are not included with purchase.
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