First 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.
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.
 |
| Suleiman |
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, the story of Catronia, a descendant of Janet, is Love Wild and Fair.
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