42 pages • 1 hour read
Guests of the Sheik
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Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
Iraq • 1950s
1965
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea, Elizabeth accompanies her husband Bob to a rural Iraqi village in 1956 for his anthropological research. Though initially unfamiliar with Middle Eastern culture, Elizabeth integrates into the tribal women's society over two years, documenting their customs, traditions, and daily lives, while providing insights into the broader sociopolitical context of Cold War-era Iraq.
Informative
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
3,464 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea offers a vivid portrayal of Iraqi village life in the 1950s through the eyes of a Western woman. Reviews praise its rich, empathetic cultural insights and detailed narrative. Some criticize its perceived ethnocentric bias and occasional repetitiveness. Overall, it provides an engaging, informative read on cross-cultural experiences.
Who Should Read Guests of the Sheik?
Ideal for readers interested in cultural anthropology, gender studies, and the Middle East, Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea offers a compelling first-hand account of life in an Iraqi village. Fans of Reading Lolita in Tehran and Persepolis will appreciate its vivid, insightful portrayal of women's lives in a different cultural context.
3,464 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Book • Nonfiction
Iraq • 1950s
1965
Adult
18+ years
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