42 pages 1 hour read

Elizabeth Warnock Fernea

Guests of the Sheik

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1965

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Anthropology

Education

History: World

Themes

Society: Community

Genre

Education

Anthropology

Travel Literature