The King's Favourite:
the Continuing Story of Shuki Bolkiah
the Continuing Story of Shuki Bolkiah
It was the greatest scandal that Oxford had ever known. The culprits were the sons of the rich and famous, even of Royalty. The trials went on for years, and the story of the eunuch's uttermost beauty and desirability spread.
Shuki now lives in his own remote home, overlooked by his beloved mountains.
He is happy with his family, his studies, and is respected.
Feroz Hady is just sixteen, yet he is the all-powerful monarch of an oil-rich country of Arabia. When an important and complex trade deal hangs in the balance, an extra concession is made. Shuki’s freedom is traded away by his own country,
a gift for a king.
There are stories from ancient times of eunuchs standing at the side of kings, wielding enormous influence and influencing the fate of nations. Can it happen again?
This is Book 2 of the Shuki series.
There are stories from ancient times of eunuchs standing at the side of kings, wielding enormous influence and influencing the fate of nations. Can it happen again?
This is Book 2 of the Shuki series.
Review of 'Not a Man' by Harper Collins,
ReplyDeleteNot a Man
‘Not a Man’ is an ambitious and insightful novel; it tells the story of Shuki, a young boy from the slums of Elbarada, a fictional area of Arabia, who is castrated against his will at the age of 10. Shuki’s journey is one of great trial but also incredible strength, courage, and determination, and as a hero, he is fantastic, evoking not only sympathy, but aspiration and reverence. I loved the fact that the operation which is supposed to prevent him from reaching manhood is the very thing that makes him strong and mature. The novel is written in a pared down manner; the narrative reminded me of the prose styling of Paulo Coelho: unaffected and matter-of-fact.
The publisher has written a 'blurb' to go on the back cover.
ReplyDeleteThis is what he says:
"Once in every while a unique vision emerges without warning and without precedent, that follows no trends, is virtually impossible to copy, and that has a resonance that grows and grows until it risks taking you over entirely.
Such a book is 'Not a Man'.
At its core, it’s the story of a ten year old boy, Shuki Bolkiah, who is so grossly abused that he will never grow up to be a normal adult human being.
But it is so much more than that …..
Firstly, there is the writing that is almost like a whispered prayer, a sacred text.
Then there is the abuser who really does love the boy he abuses and wishes to care for him forever.
…. and there is the country, harsh and magnificent, where deadly feuds spring from nowhere and many women are treated far worse than Shuki, ill-used and left to starve.
Finally, there is Shuki himself, so irresistibly beautiful, so sweet, so intelligent, and so deadly in his turn.
This is not a man. This is not a book. This is humanity in the dark and in the light. This is hope."
Compelling story, vivid action-packed storyline, written with a genuine sensitivity and light touch. Unusual to have a eunuch as the main character, but it is managed with a deft touch, and doesn't inhibit the unfolding pageant. Hard to identify with a eunuch (at least for me) but there are parts of the narrative that make the reader soar into the fantasy world of Shuki, and exalt in his triumphs, and suffer in his suffering. "Not a Man" made me think, and gave me sorrow and joy - can't expect much else from a book really.
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The fourth and final book of this series is called 'The Frost and the Sunshine.' Its publication date is 17th October, 2014.
ReplyDeleteInspiring quest there. What occurred after?
ReplyDeleteGood luck!