Publisher's Synopsis
""The Favorite of the Harem"" is a novel by Anna Leonowens, a British writer and educator who spent many years in the court of Siam (modern-day Thailand) as a teacher to the royal family. The book tells the story of a young woman named Ayesha, who is taken from her home in India and brought to the harem of the Sultan of Turkey. Ayesha quickly becomes a favorite of the Sultan, but also attracts the jealousy and animosity of the other women in the harem. As she navigates the treacherous politics of the harem, Ayesha must also confront her own desires and the limitations placed on her as a woman in this society. Along the way, she forms relationships with several other women in the harem, as well as with a dashing British diplomat who is stationed in Istanbul. ""The Favorite of the Harem"" is a richly detailed and emotionally complex novel that explores themes of power, sexuality, and identity in the context of a fascinating historical setting.""I listened in mute pain. The power of the new passion that now filled my heart seemed to deny all authority, and the very thing for which I had so long worked and longed had become valueless and as nothing to me. But I dared not excuse myself, so I silently followed my conductresses, and for the first time in my life ascended to his Majesty's private supper-chamber.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
