Seven Daughters and Seven Sons

by Barbara Cohen, Bahija Lovejoy

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Seven Daughters and Seven...

by
Barbara Cohen

book data

256 ratings, 4.25 average rating, 73 reviews (more data...)

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published

September 1982 (first published 1994) by Atheneum

binding

School & Library Binding, 220 pages

isbn

0689308752 (isbn13: 9780689308758)

description

In an ancient Arab nation, one woman dares to be different.Buran cannot -- Buran will not-sit quietly at home and wait to be married to the man he...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 326)

All ratings | 5 stars (116) | 4 stars (98) | 3 stars (36) | 2 stars (3) | 1 star (3) | avg 4.25

all | this edition

Trin

Trin rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

06/25/07

bookshelves: historicalfiction, queerlit, ya

Reread, although the last time I read this YA novel I was actually in the intended age group. To my happy surprise, it is just as good as I remember. Based on an Iraqi legend, the novel follows Buran, one (the Elizabeth Bennet one, to be precise) of seven daughters of a poor father. To help her family get some badly needed money (and to avoid having to marry anyone unpleasant), Buran dresses up as a boy and sets off to make her fortune. Enter: one prince, and oh man, it's just so much fun. There...more

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Mika

Mika rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

09/23/08

Read in August, 2008

I’m sorry to say that the first new book I’ve read since March (aside from some great picture books I’ll review shortly) was this piece of fluff. There are no Wikipedia entries for the book or either of the two authors, which I take to be a bad sign. Actually, in hindsight, there were plenty of bad signs. But on with the review.

The story is based on an Iraqi folktale, and perhaps if either Ms. Cohen or Ms. Lovejoy were decent storytellers, I would have enjoyed the book. Broken into thr...more I’m sorry to say that the first new book I’ve read since March (aside from some great picture books I’ll review shortly) was this piece of fluff. There are no Wikipedia entries for the book or either of the two authors, which I take to be a bad sign. Actually, in hindsight, there were plenty of bad signs. But on with the review.

The story is based on an Iraqi folktale, and perhaps if either Ms. Cohen or Ms. Lovejoy were decent storytellers, I would have enjoyed the book. Broken into three parts, it tells of Buran, one of seven daughters of a poor shopkeeper. Her uncle is much more prosperous and has been blessed with seven sons. However, aside from this background information and one further scene involving Buran’s male cousins, there is no reason for “seven sons” to be part of the title. In fact, Buran’s sisters were included so infrequently that I couldn’t name a single one of them. This story is about Buran, who disguises herself as a man in order to travel to distant lands and set up a shop, thereby becoming infinitely wealthy and raising her family out of poverty.

Does Buran sound at all like Mulan to you? And I mean the story, not just the name, which we’ll assume is coincidence. Also, can you guess that Buran makes a very close male friend (who happens to be a prince) with whom she begins to fall in love? Yes, the prince even begins to suspect - hope? - that Buran (aka Nasir) is actually a woman, and tries several tests to find out. Of course, since the last test involves a public bath, Buran has no choice but to leave the city with all her riches, travelling far and wide in an effort to exact revenge on her male cousins. When did they come back in the story, you ask? No one is really sure. But they do turn up, and are humiliated when Buran more or less turns down their marriage proposals.

Anyway, there is a happy ending (did you expect anything else?) in which Buran and her prince are reunited, this time as a man and woman who are free to love each other. How predictable.

My two biggest complaints: first of all, I may not be much of a writer, but I can recognize good writing. I found none here. The writers started the book with the sort of flowy language one would expect from a Persian-y feeling story, but quickly deteriorated into “I’m coming, Father,” or “My heart felt sick with worry” (not actual quotes). Secondly, there was way too much about the prince’s concubines. Although the story is written at the level of ten or eleven year olds, there was really no reason to mention the prince calling for the girl who “pleased him best.” Seriously!

You may be wondering why I read it at all. Well, I was at Krista’s house with nothing to do for an hour and a half, and I couldn’t find the tv remote. (Hey! I don’t watch tv at home, it’s fair!)

My rating: skip it.

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Tennys

Tennys rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

02/20/08

Read in September, 1996

This is an all time favorite of mine. I have read it several times. In a culture where only boys are valued, a girl uses her ingenuity to help herself and her family. This book has intrigue, adventure, and a bit of romance. I will definitely read it again and again.

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Jennifer

Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

09/21/08

bookshelves: young-adult

Read in May, 2002

This was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and it still is. I haven't read it in forever and am eager to begin again. The heroine is headstrong, intelligent, and beyond her time. She, restricted as a woman in a Muslim society, finds the strength to leave her family, disguise herself as a boy and try to change the poor circumstances surrounding her family. She meets the perfect man, one who is accepting of strong and intelligent women. Yet, problem arises, he thinks that she is a guy. ...more

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Arwen

Arwen rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

08/20/08

bookshelves: five-star

recommends it for: Everyone!

This is one of my favorite books, a story of success against the odds and romance. I have read it at least four times now. The book is set in the ancient Middle East, in the cities of Baghdad and Tyre. It is based on an ancient Iraqi folktale. The author describes the culture and setting so well that you feel are present for Buran's struggles. In the end, it is obvious who is more fortunate, the father with sons or the father with daughters.

The story is wonderful, a smart and courageous girl...more

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The other John

The other John rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

03/13/08

bookshelves: classic, historical-fiction, romance, schoolbook

Read in November, 2005

This is the second romance novel I've read in as many weeks! What's happening to me?? Actually this book, from my daughter's schoolbooks, is an expanded version of an old Iraqi folktale. Buran is a daughter of Malik, a poor shopkeeper who has the burden of seven daughters and no sons. His brother, in contrast, is quite wealthy and has seven sons. The rich brother is a real jerk and likes to rub Malik's nose in his "affliction". (As opposed to, say, giving his ol' bro some cash or somet...more

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1 comment

Angela

Angela rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

09/01/08

bookshelves: books-i-own, folklore-fairytales, romance

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: 13 years and up

This is a beautiful and exotic book set in the ancient cities of Baghdad and Tyre. The story is fairly fast-paced and well-written, and the characters are interesting and complex.

It follows the adventures of Buran, the fourth of seven daughters, whose father is considered cursed since he has been deprived of sons. Such a man, who is also poor in business, cannot provide decent husbands for his daughters or a secure future for his family. Buran convinces her father to let her be the son he...more This is a beautiful and exotic book set in the ancient cities of Baghdad and Tyre. The story is fairly fast-paced and well-written, and the characters are interesting and complex.

It follows the adventures of Buran, the fourth of seven daughters, whose father is considered cursed since he has been deprived of sons. Such a man, who is also poor in business, cannot provide decent husbands for his daughters or a secure future for his family. Buran convinces her father to let her be the son he never had: she disguises herself as a boy, "Nasir," so she can put her hard work and intelligence to good use in a culture dominated by men. Thirsty for knowledge, with her eyes and ears always open, she learns quickly and in a few years finds herself in far-away Tyre managing a very successful business.

There she meets Prince Mahmud, who quickly forms a deep friendship with "Nasir" - the first true, sincere friend the Prince has ever had, who expects nothing material or political in return. Mahmud has been raised to believe that women are merely playthings, and a means to raising up heirs. The concept of a woman as an intelligent friend is completely foreign to him... So when he begins to suspect that Nasir is not exactly as he seems, his traditional education regarding women, love, and marriage is rocked to the core.

I love the themes in this book: self-confidence and discovery, following the promptings of your heart, the power of a parent's faith in their child, and the importance of friendship and mutual interests between a husband and wife. However, I only gave four stars out of five because I would recommend this book with a strong caveat: The authors necessarily place an emphasis on the gender confusion created by Buran's disguise and Mahmud's feelings toward a precious friend that he believes to be male. I feel that it is done in a tasteful way, but a wise parent should read it first and be there to discuss questions or concerns that may arise as their child reads the book....less

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Arezo....

Arezo.... rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

10/03/08

هفت دختر و هفت پسر
بهترين كتاب سال بوك ليست آمريكاست
و كتاب برگزيده انجمن كتابداران آمريكا
براي گروه سني نوجوانان است
نه يك شاهكار فلسفي ست
نه شاهكار ادبي
اما
بقدري شيرين است
كه امكان ندارد تا پايان صفحه آخر زمين بگذاري
قصه توران فرزند چهارم ابوالبنات است كه برخلاف براد�...more

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alexandria

alexandria rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

12/03/08

this book is the definition of irony

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Ashley

Ashley rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

09/11/08

bookshelves: children-s-chapter-books

This novel is very pertinent to this time period as the United States is at war with countries in the MIddle East. This is a novel based on an oral story from Iraq. The authors do a very good job to include elements from traditional Iraq. They use names like Nasir, Buran, and Hassan. I also enjoyed that the story was told from multiple perspectives Buran's and the Prince's. This adds depth to the story and allows the audience to get to know more than one character on a more personal level.

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Teresa

Teresa rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

11/04/08

Fiction 220 pages

Buran is a girl who disguises herself as a boy, and goes off to earn money for her poor family. She becomes the best friend of a prince, and she leaves his city when he starts to suspect she is a woman. It is interesting in that part way through the book the narration turns from first-person Buran to first-person prince. The culture, setting, and story make a delightful book! I would recommend this book to older elementary up to 100 years old.

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Amethyst

Amethyst rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

01/24/08

bookshelves: adventure, history, romance

Read in January, 2003

This was a Great book ! I loved the way it was writen .
The auther did it in three parts , The first is from the womans point of view the second from the princes point of view and the third from the authors.
This is a really sweet love story that I would recomend for every one over 13.
It is set in the middle east several hundred years ago.There is a lot of good information about how they live their lives and how the culture works.
Again, Great book Highly recomend it ! :)

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Eb rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

07/24/08

This was one of the most loved books in our kids literature group. This is great for adults, too.

This is about 2 Middle Eastern families: one with 7 daughters and one with 7 sons. Cousins of one another.
Success was expected from the family with sons. But the plot thickens when one of the daughters goes and lives as a boy trying to make some money for her family of sisters.
Intriguing, intelligent and a pure delight. It will take you away and back into time.

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Megan

Megan rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

09/13/08

bookshelves: history-fiction

Read in September, 2008

Buran is the daughter of a poor merchant who has six other daughters. After an insulting visit from an uncle and her father's two-week illness, Buran is finally given the opportunity to live out a dream of hers: to leave home to become a merchant. Dressed as a man, she starts out on her journey and quickly learns (as is usually the case with life) that it will be harder than she thought, in more ways than one.

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Jenni

Jenni rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

07/12/08

Read in June, 2008

It was a slow start for me, perhaps because I was not familiar with the perspective it was written from. In the end, I decided that the author's way of writing from different characters' points of view was very effective. Taking place in the middle east, the experiences of this young girl can be surprisingly paralleled with ours in a very different culture. I suppose this is because human nature is universal.

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Joel

Joel rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

02/10/08

Read in February, 2008

recommended to Joel by: Kollen
recommends it for: Michelle, Kat, Cary

I loved, loved this book. I had to read it for my book club (thanks Kollen) and was amazed at how much I loved it. The story was very simple and made me feel empowered as well as reminded me of the power of love/fate/whatever. And the fact that the protagonist is a woman makes it all the more enjoyable for me. It's a good read and it goes by incredibly fast. I did it in one evening, so I recommend it.

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Talai

Talai rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

08/19/08

bookshelves: children-s-literature

Read in August, 2008

This book is based on an old folktale told in Iraq. The book invites you to experience parts of the Muslim culture and is creatively told from two different perspectives: Buran, the poor daughter made rich through her own cleverness, and Mahmud, the prince she falls in love with while disguised as a man. The story has a "Disney" like feeling, but does not lack in suspense and romance.

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Annette

Annette rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

07/08/08

I loved the insights into a different culture, the story has two different points of view, that come together in the end. The story is about gender roles that took place a long time ago, and yet prevail to some extent even today, sort of promoting the idea that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, and there are always challenges that can not only be overcome but learned from.

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Jen Jen

Jen Jen rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

05/11/08

Read in May, 2008

A Mulan-type story from Baghdad. It involves a girl dressing up like a boy to gain honor and prosperity for her family only in the end she falls in love with one of her friends that is a boy but doesn't know what to do because she deceived him by telling him that she is a boy. One of the fun things about the book is that it changes to the boy's perspective halfway through the book.

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Shana

Shana rated it:

(review of isbn 0688135633)

06/09/08

Read in June, 2008

This was really just beautiful; it reminded me of Geraldine McCaughrean's 1001 Arabian Nights in the way the story was conveyed not just by plot but by sheer linguistic atmosphere. The narrator tells the story in the most melodic, exquisitely polite manner and the whole tale just flows around the reader like silk. Though the ending is obvious, the journey to get there is fabulous.

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