Harem by Dora Levy Mossanen

"A seductive and intriguing journey from the humble Persian Jewish quarter to the fascinating world of shahs, soothsayers, eunuchs, and sultanas, Harem follows three generations of strong-willed and cunning women: Rebekah — a poor girl married to the abusive blacksmith, Jacob the fatherless — who emerges from her disastrous match with a mysterious brand between her breasts; Gold Dust, Rebekah's treasured daughter, who enters the opulent and perilous world of the harem and captivates the shah with her singing bones; and Gold Dust's daughter, the revered and feared albino princess Raven, who will one day rule the empire.

Rich in visual imagery, Harem vividly depicts the exotic bazaars and dangerous alleys of the city and palace chambers brimming with conspiracy and betrayal — as well as love and redemption. A skillfully crafted, intricately textured novel, Harem represents the beginning of a remarkable literary career."
(Synopsis from the back book cover.)

Harem is the story of Rebekah, Rebekah's daughter Gold Dust, and Gold Dust's daughter Raven. Rebekah is a strong-willed and strong-hearted woman who takes fate into her own hands. Gold Dust is her treasured daughter who enters into the king's harem and charms his heart. And Raven is the albino princess with a lust for violence.

I loved this book! During my school's "Dead Week" and week of finals, I wasn't planning on indulging in any books. But this one was left behind, so I picked it up and read one day when I had a free moment. I was hooked immediately. So throughout those two weeks, I occupied my spare time with this riveting story.

Mossanen is an expert storyteller who intricately weaves together the lives of Rebekah, Gold Dust, Raven, Jacob the Fatherless, the shah, other women of the harem, and eunuchs. I really enjoyed te way Mossanen wrote the story, how the scene jumped from centering around one character to focusing and getting inside of another character. It is all told in third-person, but it really gave an intimate and realistic insight into each person in the story. The novel was all the richer and more intriguing for that. Harem is full of beautiful language, elaborate descriptions, and strong female characters. And I relished the bit of magic that's thrown in.

I really admired Rebekah's strength of will and heart. Gold Dust was my favorite throughout the story for her beauty, strength, and desire for love. And Raven tested me---one moment I feared her, another I pitied her, and yet another I was extremely proud of her.

This is a quick, compelling read. Once you pick it up, you can't put it down. And those are the best kind of books!

Amore.

Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

Slammerkin: A loose gown; a loose woman.

Born to rough cloth in Hogarth's London, but longing for silk, Mary Saunders's eye for a shiny red ribbon leads her to prostitution at a young age. A dangerous misstep sends her fleeing to Monmouth, and the position of household seamstress, the ordinary life of an ordinary girl with no expectations. But Mary has known freedom, and having never known love, it is freedom that motivates her. Mary asks herself if the prostitute who hires out her body is more or less free than the "honest woman" locked into marriage, or the servant who runs a household not her own? And is either as free as a man? Ultimately, Mary remains true only to the three rules she learned on the streets: Never give up your liberty. Clothes make the woman. Clothes are the greatest lie ever told.
(Synopsis from the front inside jacket cover.)

I heard and read about Slammerkin from fellow historical fiction fans and all over historical fiction blogs, so I had to give it a go. I'm glad I did. I almost gave up in the middle of the book, but I'm glad that I didn't.

Slammerkin is the story of a girl named Mary Saunders and her short, hard life. As a girl, Mary is obsessed with fine clothes. Her lust for a single red ribbon compels her to approach the old ribbon seller in a dark alley one night. The filthy man takes advantage of her, raping her, and impregnating her. And Mary only ends up with a dull brown ribbon. Upon discovering that her daughter is pregnant, Mary's mother throws her out of the house. Nearly dying in the cold and being the toy of several soldiers, Mary hardly makes it through the night. But she does and she is taken in by Doll, a vibrant prostitute whom Mary has seen strolling. Mary herself goes into prostitution. And so her adventure begins.

From there forth, Mary's life is filled with her friendship to Doll, customers of all varieties, and eventually a dangerous knife-wielding enemy. Forced to give up the freedom and city she loves in exchange for her life, Mary runs from London. Her life undergoes a serious turnaround and Mary herself is surprised to like her mistress, like her new home, and like her new way of life. But she has not forgotten the old ways of making money. And her lust for silk, velvet, and fine fabrics has not simmered.

The writing style of Donoghue was an adjustment at first. I cannot recall another novel I read where the author jumped from character to character. Done badly, I suppose this is called mind-hopping or something like that. But this was done brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed getting into each character's brain, hearing their secret thoughts, and experiencing a certain event from their perspective. I also thought that the characters were all very well rounded. There were things to like and dislike about them all, which made them very human.

Mary Saunders is an interesting heroine. She's spunky, spiteful, deceitful, and at times very aggravating. And yet she's charming, warm, and likable. At times I wanted to slap her for the lies she wove and the stories she told. Other times, I wanted to embrace her and take care of her. She grew up so very fast in novel, but all along she was nothing but a young girl. She had made mistakes and taken missteps, but I could not help but consider her circumstances and the unfair consequences that had befallen her and shaped who she was. She was just a girl, after all. And because of that, my heart broke for her.

As the story progressed, it increased in speed and interest. And the last few chapters I must say were shocking! Overall Slammerkin was a good read and I would recommend it. :)

Amore.

The Gilded Chamber by Rebecca Kohn

A well known Biblical figure to whom the book Esther owes its name comes to life in Rebecca Kohn's novel "The Gilded Chamber." While the Bible tells the story of how the Jewish queen saves the life of her people, there is still much left a mystery. What brought Esther to Persia? What exactly took her from her betrothed cousin and brought her to the king? What was life like in the harem? Did she have friends? Who were her enemies? Questions like this have always remained in my mind after hearing the Biblical account of Esther. Kohn, through the voice of that heroic queen, answers them for me.

"The story of Esther---whose mesmerizing beauty was matched only by her clear-eyed wisdom---has inspired women for centuries. Now her suspenseful tale comes to life throgh the eyes of a contemporary woman, debut novelist Rebecca Kohn. Capturing the passionate longings and political danger that have made Ester's legacy so timeless, 'The Gilded Chamber' blends meticulous research with gripping storytelling to transport us to an ancient time in the far-flung Persian Empire.

Orphaned and terrified, Esther journeys across the River Tigris to start a new life with her cousin---a man well positioned in the court, and to whom she is betrothed. Her transformation from girl to woman unfolds against a lavish backdrop of the royal court and harem, rife with intrigue and daring alliances. Esther wins much of what she seeks: the heart of a king, and the deliverance of her people. But her rise to the role of queen is not without a price; she must turn her back on all that she ever wanted, and give her body to a man she can never love.

In a haunting, unflinching voice, 'The Gilded Chamber' illuminates an epic dilemma between the yearnings of a woman's heart and the obligations imposed on her by fate. In Esther's case, choice makes history---and unforgettable reading."
(From the front inside jacket cover.)

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Up until this novel, all of the historical fiction I'd read had taken place in Europe or America. I must say that it was an exciting journey into the ancient Persian Empire. And Kohn truly transported me there. (Like I always say: the best historical fiction offers a means of time-travel.) I reveled in Kohn's descriptions of the luxurious palace quarters, exquisite clothing, plush rugs, lush gardens, ornate sculptures, and all the fragrances that permeated the atmosphere. Her details regarding characters brought them to life; I knew how each character looked, smelled, dressed, walked, talked---and in such intimate ways.

The story begins in a heart-wrenching way as Esther is orphaned---her father was killed and mother died in childbirth. She is so vulnerable and so heartbroken, but she clings with a child's hope and optimism to living with her cousin, marrying him, being his wife, and bearing him children. All of her dreams are ripped out from beneath her when all of the kingdom's beautiful oung virgins are forced into the king's harem. It's a horrifying and tear-jerking ordeal, not only for Esther, but for the other young women. And so begins her journey toward the king's heart. As a modern young woman, it is hard to understand Esther's motives and what she must have been going through. But as a reader, I became absorbed into the harem, too. And I understood why Esther had to strive to please the king. (Those that didn't were forced to become dancing girls or even worse: sent off to the soldiers.)

My favorite part about the novel was the glimpse into the harems. I think Kohn constructed a very believable harem setting. It was more of a prison than anything. Eunuchs guarded the women. The women were groomed and bathed and perfumed and beautified to look like goddesses. There were pregnancies and abortions. There was sadness, envy, and delight. There were women who found pleasure in other women. And there was drug-laced wine that dulled the women into submission. It was not at all glamorous and not at all a place a girl wanted to end up. And yet out of this place, Esther rose to become queen.

I also love Kohn's portrayal of characters besides Esther. The king is handsome and strong, but has his weaknesses when it comes to wine. The former queen Vashti is simultaneously intriguing, breathtakingly beautiful, and absolutely terrifying. From the eunuchs and harem women to the royal family and their trusted attendants---each character is multi-dimensional with their own strengths and weaknesses. I think that's what really kept me guessing throughout the entire story: wondering what so-and-so was going to do next.

The book was very suspenseful. Even knowing the eventual outcome, I still found myself wondering what was happening next. There times of such high intensity that I could hardly bear to turn the page, but could not wait to. I read this book everywhere I went. My nose was stuck in it on my way to class on the bus. I read it while I ate at lunch and supper. I read it in my room. I carried it with me from building to building. I absolutely could not put it down and it has inspired me to look for more novels that focus on the women of ancient Persia, and of harems in particular.

This is a lush, gorgeous, captivating re-telling of the Biblical story of Esther and I highly recommend it. I might also add that the story has an ending to look forward to. It definitely took me by surprise.

Amore.

Pilate's Wife by Antoinette May

She was married to one of the 1st Century AD's most well-known men, a man whose name continues to be uttered in churches throughout the world. Yet nothing is known of her. No biography exists. And her entire existence is based upon a sole verse in the New Testament.

While Pilate was sitting in the judgment hall, his wife sent him a message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, because in a dream last night, I suffered much on account of him."
Matthew 27:19

Antoinette May, author and journalist, takes hold of the quietly mentioned wife of Pilate and runs with the idea. "Pilate's Wife" is the story of a young Roman woman's life---her hopes and dreams, her heartbreaks and losses, her romances, her ambitions, her struggles with religion, and her astounding resilience.

A daughter of privilege in the most powerful empire the world has ever known, Claudia has a unique and disturbing "gift": her dreams have an uncanny way of coming true. As a rebellious child seated beside the tyrannical Roman Emperor Tiberius, she first spies the powerful gladiator who will ultimately be her one true passion. Yet it is the ambitious magistrate Pontius Pilate who intrigues the impressionable young woman she becomes, and Claudia finds her way into his arms by means of a mysterious ancient magic. Pilate is her grand destiny, leading her to Judaea and plunging her into a seething cauldron of open rebellion. But following her friend Miriam of Magdala's confession of her ecstatic love for a charismatic religious radical, Claudia begins to experience terrifying visions—horrific premonitions of war, injustice, untold devastation and damnation . . . and the crucifixion of a divine martyr whom she must do everything in her power to save.
(Synopsis from the front inside jacket cover.)

I finished this book two nights ago and still cannot stop thinking of it. I'm a fanatic for the 1st Century AD Roman empire, so the historical richness of this book was utterly enthralling. Antoinette May does a brilliant job of whisking the reader away into that vast, powerful empire. The best kind of historical fiction allows the reader to time travel to another place and era. This book does just that. I got lost in it, feeling as though I were a Roman, too. I could hear the melodies of the lyres, smell the delectable banquet meals, and feel the light ripples of a silken tunica against my body. May's descriptions are captivating.

Claudia is now one of my favorite novel heroines. The story begins with her as a young, naive, and rebellious child. She has visions that come true and views such visions as more of a curse than a blessing. As she grows up, Claudia becomes a worshipper of Isis and falls in love with and marries Pontius Pilate. But the life of an elite Roman woman is not all luxury and happiness, for Claudia experiences a world of pain and heartbreak as a cruel emperor and his mother wreak havoc on many of Claudia's loved ones---her uncle, her parents, her sister. Though Claudia's rebellious nature remains a part of her throughout her life, her wisdom and strength grows with each trying experience Rome throws at her.

What really impressed me about novel besides the history and the heroine is how the story spans the entire empire and so many religions. The reader gets to travel with Claudia to Gaul, barbarian lands, Alexandria, Rome, Antioch, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Jerusalem, and other prime locales of the time period. Claudia's father is a follower of Mithras. Her mother and aunt devote themselves to the traditional Roman deities, including Juno. Her sister becomes a servant of Vesta. Claudia, herself, secretly joins the cult of the Egyptian goddess Isis. And prominent Christian figures such as Miriam of Magdala (Mary Magdalene), Jesus of Nazareth, and Jesus' mother Mary all come alive as characters in the story.

From Sunday school lessons and textbooks, the name Pontius Pilate calls to mind a cold, heartless governor who sentenced Christ to the cross and then carelessly washed his hands of the ordeal. I love the point of view of this novel, though the eyes of the woman who stood by Pilate even when he had hurt her, even when he had been unfaithful to her, and even when he had every right to divorce her. She dreamt of the crucifixion before it played out. She heard the words, "Suffered under Pontius Pilate" repeated over and over again. She knew that despite any good her husband had done in his political career, his name would be forever marred by the upcoming execution. And still, Claudia knew that what was about to happen was bigger than she and Pilate. They were about to part of something that would affect history and religion for centuries and centuries to follow.

This novel really has everything that makes for a beautiful, exciting, and emotional coming-of-age tale: history, adventure, romance, magic, religion, mythology, suspense, horror, and a strong female hero. I laughed. I winced. I swooned. And a few times, I cried.

I absolutely loved this book!

Amore.

Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund

I have a new favorite book. "Abundance" by Sena Jeter Naslund swept me off my feet from the beginning and kept me coming back for more each day. Each time I picked up the novel, I felt like I was truly being transported back in time to the extravagant court of Versailles.

The novel opens with Marie Antoinette as an adolescent about to marry Louis-Auguste, the dauphin of France. It ends with her terrible death at the guillotine. And in between her arrival in France and execution, the reader becomes intimately close to the dauphine and eventual queen of France. My heart broke for her as she tried to be sweet and lovely and perfect for her husband, but year after year passed that the marriage went unconsummated. I became fond of the friends she became fond of. I rejoiced when she became a mother and I mourned for her losses. I fell in love with Count Axel von Fersen. I came to admire Marie Antoinette in every way for her strength and courage in the turmoil of the revolution. And, finally, I wept for her final days of loneliness and her cruel execution.

Not since reading Jane Eyre back in the 8th grade have I felt so intimately connected to a novel's character. Such intimacy is much owed to the fact that the novel does span her entire life. Each time I turned the page, I grew closer and closer to the historical figure. I came to know her as the friend, sister, daughter, mother, and lover she was. She was so much more than a ruinous queen that textbooks have made her out to be.

I know that there are many novels out there that center around Marie Antoinette, but this is the only one I have read and will probably read for quite awhile. Sena Jeter Naslund's epic was so well researched and detailed. Many of the letters and spoken words in the novel were historically authentic. I believe she depicted Marie as accurately as a 21st Century writer can---as a kind, spiritual, romantic, and beautiful girl who happened to become queen. And oh, I loved how Naslund depicted the relationship between Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen. It is popular belief that the two were lovers, but Naslund depicts them as the closest of friends while leaving room for the possibility of romance. She leaves so much of it up to the imagination so that the reader can decide whether the two ever did or didn't fall into a romantic, adulterous affair. (Personally, being so smitten with Fersen myself, I hope they did.)

The book gripped me from the beginning and had in me in tears during the final chapters. When it ended, I felt a sudden sadness in my heart. Sadness that I would no longer be returning to Versailles. Sadness that the book was over. And most of all, sadness for how Marie's life ended and how she has been the scapegoat of the revolution for centuries.

I highly, highly recommend this book. I loved it so much that I might actually read it again someday, which is a rarity for me. It is intriguing, historical accurate, and a surprisingly fast read despite the physical length of the book. (It looks like it would take forever to read, but it's one of those books you can't put down and end up reading in a record amount of time!)

One last thing I would like to note about the book is the way it is written. Naslund wrote it in first person present tense, which I didn't even notice until I was about a quarter of the way into it. I believe that this is the first novel I've ever read that was written in this pov and tense combination. A lot of readers and writers I've spoken to say that writing in first person present tense is difficult both to read and write. I found that this was not the case. For me, this is the style of writing that comes most naturally. And as for reading it, I felt like I was actually there with Marie every step of the way in her eventful life. It drew me further into the story and it was as if the events were playing out exactly at the moment I read each word. Beautiful language, stunning storyline.

Amore.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

(Click on image for original source.)

I have this lovely Friday night off, which I intend to spend in blissful solitude. It's on nights like these that I indulge in watching my favorite movies... movies that completely captivate me, but aren't as beloved by my boyfriend, friends, or family. And that's okay because sometimes these movies are better enjoyed by myself. I can get lost in them more easily. :)

One of these movies happens to be "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer". I absolutely love this movie. While flipping channels in my dorm a couple years ago, I came across it playing on the college movie station. Although I found the scene intriguing, I immediately changed the channel. I knew that it would be one of those movies that I'd have to see from beginning to end... not from some random spot in the middle.

When I looked up the movie, I found out that it was based on the novel by Patrick Suskind. I got my gritty little bookworm hands on a copy of the novel and promised myself that I could watch the movie as soon as I finished the book. And oh, what a book!

It's been about a year since I finished "Perfume" the novel... so I can't promise a detailed review here or anything. It's not fresh on my mind, but parts of it have moved me so deeply that I will always have it on my mind. If I were only allowed to recommend one book for the rest of my life, "Perfume" would be the one.

And it was definitely a good choice to read the book before the movie. The movie is a masterpiece in my eyes, but pales in comparison to the book. There is so much left out of the movie, which is understandable considering the time frame. Without reading the book... you can enjoy the movie, but you will be left with so many questions. Watching the movie after reading the book, you're able to fill in all the blanks and appreciate the cinematic splendor.

Description of Perfume from Goodreads:
"In the slums of eighteenth-century France, the infant Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born with one sublime gift-an absolute sense of smell. As a boy, he lives to decipher the odors of Paris, and apprentices himself to a prominent perfumer who teaches him the ancient art of mixing precious oils and herbs. But Grenouille's genius is such that he is not satisfied to stop there, and he becomes obsessed with capturing the smells of objects such as brass doorknobs and frest-cut wood. Then one day he catches a hint of a scent that will drive him on an ever-more-terrifying quest to create the "ultimate perfume"-the scent of a beautiful young virgin. Told with dazzling narrative brilliance, Perfume is a hauntingly powerful tale of murder and sensual depravity."

This novel has all the beauty, elegance, and romance of period drama. It also has the suspense, blood, and thrill of a mystery. It's fascinating to get inside the mind of the strange, half-mad, half-genius murderer Grenouille. While reading this book, there were many instances that I was literally brought to the edge of my seat as I turned the page. And there were also several moments that I was moved to tears... sometimes by fear, sometimes by awe, sometimes both.

I'm not sure what I would categorize this novel as. It's a period piece. It's a mystery. It's a thriller. It's a horror story. It's a sick fairy tale. And it's the most grotesque of romances.

It's different, but it's brilliant.

Amore.

P.S. I know that there are readers out there who can't resist turning to the last page of a novel to see how it all ends. I've never been one to do that; I feel it spoils the ending. I beg of you to resist that temptation if you decide to read this novel. The ending is so shocking, so wonderful, so disgusting, and so beautiful. I'm sure that tempts you even more, but the ending cannot be appreciated unless you read all those pages that come before it. Without those pages, you will not understand the ending. So please, I implore that you read the ending when you get there. It shall be sooo worth it!