The Romance Of The Harem

by Anna Harriette Leonowens and Anna Harriette Crawford Leonownes

Book Overview

The Romance of the Harem is a book written by Anna Harriette Leonowens, an English author and educator who spent several years in the royal court of Siam (now Thailand) in the late 19th century. The book is a collection of stories and anecdotes about life in the harem, the private quarters where the wives and concubines of the sultan lived.Leonowens provides a vivid and detailed account of the harem, describing the daily routines, customs, and traditions...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1430492279
• ISBN13: 9781430492276
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Victorian woman looks at life in a Siamese harem

The introduction to this book is as interesting as the book itself. Anna Leonowens remains a controversial character. The truth of her stories is questionable, her own biographical information may have been selectively edited or changed to reflect a more genteel background than Anna really had. Was she, in fact, an Anglo-Indian? Much scandal surrounds her still.This book is the source, along with her other book The English Governess at the Siamese Court, for Margaret Landon's better known work Anna and the King of Siam. This book has the story of Tuptim, the concubine who was executed for running away, disguised as a priest. It is written in a typically Victorian elaborate style, so can be heavy going for some people. However, if you are curious about Anna herself, this is a must-read.

A great, romantic novel.

Mrs. Leonowens is a fine writer. Though most of here stories have been debated whether they were true or not, it reads as a good book if not a historical novel. Ms. Morgan gives a lot of backround to the author and book and unviels an amazing truth about Anna Leonowens. I like the book because it was like a small door to the world of yesterday that is dead with only a faint memory behind. I also like storiesof history.The book is heavy like most Victorian novels I've read. It takes longer than most but worth the effort. In this copy we see a picture of Anna Leonowens herself. If you enjoyed this you ought to read Anna and the King of Siam.