I've read most of Small's early romances, but never The Kadin. Can't explain that one. I'm glad I finally did, and I greatly enjoyed it, despite its flaws.First, the good stuff. For a debut novel, Small seemed determined to never let the reader go without description of setting and decor. It is costume porn, and while it got a bit tedious after awhile, I can't fault her for creating a vivid image of the harem world. It's a setting that she obviously liked back in the 70s and 80s (since nearly every one of her books had a trip to the East incorporated in the plot), and like the song says, nobody does it better. Since I've read quite a few Small books in my time, things like endless descriptions of food, clothes, etc. are just something I accept. Every reader has their favorite authors whose flaws are overlooked or easily forgiven unless they really step in it!The relationship between the three kadins - Janet/Cyra, Marya/Farousi, and Plum Jade/Zuleika - was novel, at least to me. I haven't read many romances where there was an equal and enduring relationship between the heroine and other women. Usually there are only a set number of other female characters that are either 1) walk-on parts, 2) sidekicks/servants, 3) evil antagonists, or 4) wallpaper relations. There were plenty of all four of those, but there was also a trio of women who forged a bond under dire circumstances and made it stick over the years through various trials. They become women together, love the same man, birth his children, and then lose those children through various ways both natural and unnatural.If you've read any number of Small's stuff, you know that her sex scenes are florid with fireworks and body part euphemisms aplenty. There really isn't much of that here. I think it's only around page 380 or so when there's a SECOND sex scene. I was shocked, to say the least. It's very vanilla. There are no ivory dildos, erotic oils, ben-wa balls, fruit up the hoohah, bondage/fetish forays or various other titillating things that crop up so often in her books. So this is that rare bird: the sexually unadventurous Bertrice Small book. I didn't mind it. In fact, it was kinda nice to be surprised.Now, for the less than stellar stuff. Had Small given Janet Leslie more than one flaw, I'd have given this the full 5 stars. However, Janet is flawlessly perfect but for one exception and, sorry, but it wasn't enough. Janet, only 13 years old, faces her captivity in a sultan's harem with the wisdom of an experienced 40 year old, her logic and good sense is remarked upon by many many people, she is generous and fair and beautiful and gathers admirers not only within the harem, but back in the final act in Scotland. Janet is also the conduit of many of the historical facts, as she apparently knows what's going on in Europe's geopolitical situation and dazzles people with her knowledge. Those were dropped into the story quite clunkily. To be fair, though, the 1509 Istanbul earthquake was actually put into the story in real time. (However, the rebuilding of the sultan's palace under Janet's supervision not only is done in record time, but she wins over the entire devastated province by her relief work administrative skills. Enough already.)By the end of the book, I believe I knew where the sun shines from, and it wasn't in the west (unless Janet is facing it). So, yeah, I'd have toned down the Mary Sue speshulness just a wee tad. Even Wonder Woman had the odd day when she wasn't on her A game.The final part of the book didn't grab me as much as the first part. The introduction of her nasty sister-in-law and Lord Greyhaven went into cliché territory, although they were character types that I recognize from Small's other books. It probably wouldn't have bugged me so much if Janet's perfection hadn't been reaching a critical point. The too-neat tidying up of Janet's extended family in a name- and date-ridden final chapter crossed the line into Too Much territory. I honestly don't need to know how everyone either got married or died years from now.Gripes and good stuff, just about even I'd say, with enough fondness for Small's early stuff to push it over from average to pretty darn good.
A Classic Saga; Love with a Turkish SultanFirst published in 1978, this was Small’s first novel and by her own words, she spent 5 years researching it. I love that her stories reflect deep historical research. It shows in the many details and the vivid descriptions. This is a saga covering more than fifty years. It’s divided into 5 parts, named for the heroine’s roles: the Ambassador’s Daughter, Cyra, The Kadin, Hafise and Janet. And the beginning and end, which take place in Scotland, provide perspective on her life. (And it’s in Scotland where the bodice ripping occurs.)This is the story of Lady Janet Leslie, the only daughter of a Scottish earl, Lord Glenkirk, King James’ ambassador to the tiny Mediterranean country of San Lorenzo. At 14, she is happily betrothed to the San Lorenzo’s heir, but then she is betrayed by a servant, abducted and sold on the auction block in Crete. The highest bidder was Hadji Bey, chief eunuch for the Sultan of Turkey. Even Janet’s father could not find the gold to outbid him.Taken to the Sultan’s harem, Janet’s name is changed to Cyra (meaning “flame” for her vivid red gold hair) and there she is taught all she needs to serve the Sultan (which conjured images of Esther and Daniel from the Old Testament). She also makes two friends bought by Hadji Bey around the same time, one from China and one from the Caucus mountains. These two women become her closest friends. When the 25th birthday of the Sultan’s youngest son, Salim, arrives, he is given the choice of six women from the Sultan’s harem to form his own. Unbeknownst to the Sultan, Hadji Bey has been hiding the three virgins he wants Salim to choose. Salim chooses Janet (Cyra) and her two companions, to be among the six, as he was encouraged to do by Hadji Bey.A wonderful cast of secondary characters surrounds Cyra as she takes up her role as Salim’s favorite. And Small’s research is evident in the many details of harem life and the eastern culture that pervades the story. That Cyra, a strong-willed, high-spirited young teenager could easily accept her fate was a bit hard to swallow. But as the story continues, it is consistent with her character and her decisions to pursue the path of diplomacy and wisdom.Many things happen in this saga. There is intrigue, treachery (including murder) and jealousy among the women—exactly what happened historically. Cyra takes her place among the Kadins (the women of the harem who give Salim children) and becomes the bas Kadin, the mother of Salim’s heir, Suleiman (a real historic figure and the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire). Cyra’s wisdom and leadership rise to the fore and she is respected and loved by all but her rivals.Great storytelling, wonderful characters and real history deftly woven make this a well-loved classic. However, the end is bittersweet, which will disappoint some romance readers who prefer to be left happy. And, with the events in the Middle East today, romances that feature a Muslim sultan acquiring an European Christian woman to add her to his harem, have lost much of their former appeal. It would not be the fantasy of many women today.The sequel is LOVE WILD AND FAIR, the story of Catriona, one of Janet’s descendants.
What do You think about The Kadin (1978)?
I started reading this book to find out if it was a book I'd read years ago. I'd bought a romance book (along with bath oil, candles, etc) for a friend going through a hard time. I read it myself and loved it, then sent it on to her. I've been trying to find it to read again but can't remember the name. It was about a young English girl who's ship is captured by pirates in the Mediterraian. After being bought and prepared for a harem, she has a love affair with the Arab Shiek she's given to. Very familiar to this story. Needless to say it's not the same book, but I loved this one also. Once into "The Kadin", I couldn't put it down. Janet Leslie's story is amazing. She's a protected Scottish lass who now has to deal with being a slave as she is thrown into a completely different way of life that she's been used to. She not only survives but florishes showing the strength of her Scottish forebears. First she becomes the main wife of a Turkish prince, sharing him with five other young girls. Then when he becomes the Sultan, as the mother of his heir, she finds herself the second most powerful person in the kingdom after her husband. The intriques behind the walls of a Turkish harem in the 1600's is facinating. Janet, now called Cyra, and Prince Salim are the perfect match, falling hopelessly in love. She becomes his safe place in a dangerous world. They have their blissful years, as Cyra, along with her three sister-wives, give birth to and raise the prince's many sons and daughters. But there are also the dangerous times then they have to fight to keep their family alive and together. I love Hadji Bey, the head of the Sultan's eunuchs. He is a very wise, loyal man, who is a good friend to Prince Salim's family. Lady Renfret, Marian & Esther Kira are also facinating characters and good friends. Ms Small really did her research. After doing some online digging of my own, I found that there really was a Salim I that ruled during the timeframe of this book. Just as in the book, he succeeded his father Sultan Bajazet, though instead of his brothers (Ahmet & Korkut)and nephews dying of natural causes, he killed them himself to eliminate threats to his throne. A common policy back then. He also conquered the same lands. All we know about Salim's wife was that her name was Ayse Hafsa, but the customs and hierarchy of the harem are correct. The historical accounts of the battles between Scottland, England & France are also correct. Favorite part: Of course it's their first night together.
—Theresa
I borrowed this ebook through the local library, and am left wondering if it was an unfinished publication as there are many errors in grammar and spelling, and frequently no sentence endings. The Kadin is the story of a young girl who was kidnapped in the early 16th century, and bought for the Turkish sultans harem. Here our heroine meets some other girls in similarly unexpected circumstances, makes a pact with them that affects the rest of their lives.The story gives an idea of what life may be like for women in a harem, and attempts to show the effect of different characters in such a situation. Unfortunately this book has no feeling associated with it, and it reads a little like a history book, the last few chapters in particular were exactly like a history book.I would suggest that only those interested in what life may be like in a harem read this book!
—Bron
Wow! I loved this historical aspects of this book which made up for the fact that there wasn't a lot of romance. Although Small's descriptions were quite lengthy I was intrigued to learn about the different costumes, palaces, and customs of the Ottomans. Cyra seemed a little too good to be true, but then I guess she's "one in a million" so I tried to overlook it. Also I wish there had been more of a love story between her and Selim. They seemed pretty happy and normal as a married couple, but there was no courtship. BAM! They are now in love... Weak. The only part I didn't like was that the girls were all so young when they married. A sign we live in different times I suppose.All in all a good, long read.
—Julia
