The Sheik in Retro Chapter Chicks

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Aug 20, 2009 Phair rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: early-20th-century-fiction, romance

My last recorded reading of this all-time-favorite was in 2003 but the first time was when I was a pre-teen sneaking the book out of my grandmother's bookcase to sample "forbidden fruit" (well over 50 years ago!). I was so taken by the romance and thrill of the story that I have never forgotten the feelings and this is my go-to book when I need mental comfort food or to recapture the sense of being young and embarking on an adventure.

I collect copies of this book. I still have my grandmother's My last recorded reading of this all-time-favorite was in 2003 but the first time was when I was a pre-teen sneaking the book out of my grandmother's bookcase to sample "forbidden fruit" (well over 50 years ago!). I was so taken by the romance and thrill of the story that I have never forgotten the feelings and this is my go-to book when I need mental comfort food or to recapture the sense of being young and embarking on an adventure.

I collect copies of this book. I still have my grandmother's copy, a 1921 American first printing which is now falling to pieces. It still has Gram's maiden name faintly visible on the flyleaf so she must have gotten it shortly before marrying my grandfather. I have since bought 4 more copies of the Small, Maynard & Co hardcover edition: one was loaned to an acquaintance & never seen again but I still have a July 1921- 12th printing, a Nov '21 -38th printing, and a December '21 -53rd printing (!). It was a wild best-seller in its day and at least half of the re-printings were before the release of the Valentino film. I also own a 1963 mass market paperback version [on the cover: "he's pop, op, and camp" with photos from the film]; and a 2001 trade paperback reprint ed with a still from the movie on the cover (pub by Pine Street Books of the Univ. of Pennsylvania Press). I passed on acquiring the Barbara Cartland Library of Love edition as it is an abridgement. [I don't do online purchasing for these books as it's too easy- I like to rely on serendipity to find copies:]

As to the story itself- it does not really pass muster for modern sensibilities. A little (a LOT) politically incorrect both racially and socially but I would still like to see a modern remake of a film version although it would have to remain a period setting. In high school and later my college dorm room a large framed poster of Valentino in full sheik regalia graced my wall (it's still hanging in my parent's rec room). For a fun look at the Valentino/Sheik hysteria watch Gene Wilder's movie "The World's Greatest Lover" ...more

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Jul 11, 2013 Bianca rated it really liked it · review of another edition

First, I hope this is not the only edition of this book. Because there was a lot of typos, and I never understood why simple french word couldn't have been translated. But beyond that it was a good read.
Seeing the time period in which the book was written I was able to get over the main character falling in love with her rapist. But to have it happen so suddenly. One moment she hates him, wanting death rather then be near him and two seconds later she loves him willing to kill herself rather th ...more

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