Ann Chamberlin
Encyclopedia
Ann Chamberlin is an American writer of historical novel
s. Her website states that the "purpose of storytelling . . . is to support positions in exact opposition to the views prevailing in a culture's powerhouses, whatever those views happen to be." This belief has led her to provide a feminist perspective on Middle East
ern affairs.
Her interest in Islamic culture began when she worked on an archeology dig in Israel
where she helped work on an ancient Ottoman
settlement.
Later in the trip she met the matriarch of an Islamic family "who, in spite of her hidden features, seemed to radiate a power and command a respect much greater than one might expect of a Muslim woman."
The trip led to her obtaining a BS in anthropology from the University of Utah
, focusing on Middle Eastern culture.
of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In Chamberlin's vision of harems, women used their seclusion for self-management, and only internal strife led to their domination under the sultans. The other two novels in the series were The Sultan's Daughter (1997) and The Reign of the Favored Women (1998).
The Turkish author Solmaz Kâmuran discovered the trilogy and offered to translate the books into Turkish. The books were released in Turkey in March 2000 and two weeks later they topped the country’s bestseller list. Her tour of the country later that year was covered by Turkish television and enthusiastically received by the populace.
made by Merlin
and also suggest that Joan may have been a practitioner of pagan religions. There are four books in the series, including The Merlin of St. Gilles' Well (1999), The Merlin of the Oak Wood (2001) and Gloria.
Leaving Eden (2000) is told from the perspective of "Adam's daughter, Na'amah, by his first wife Lilith". Over the course of the novel, Adam rejects the old ways of the goddess and forges a new masculine religion represented by an enormous aurochs
.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
s. Her website states that the "purpose of storytelling . . . is to support positions in exact opposition to the views prevailing in a culture's powerhouses, whatever those views happen to be." This belief has led her to provide a feminist perspective on Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
ern affairs.
Biography
Chamberlin began writing stories as a child.Her interest in Islamic culture began when she worked on an archeology dig in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
where she helped work on an ancient Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
settlement.
Later in the trip she met the matriarch of an Islamic family "who, in spite of her hidden features, seemed to radiate a power and command a respect much greater than one might expect of a Muslim woman."
The trip led to her obtaining a BS in anthropology from the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, focusing on Middle Eastern culture.
Ottoman Empire Trilogy
The trilogy began with Sofia (1996), whose title character is kidnapped sold into the great haremHarem
Harem refers to the sphere of women in what is usually a polygynous household and their enclosed quarters which are forbidden to men...
of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In Chamberlin's vision of harems, women used their seclusion for self-management, and only internal strife led to their domination under the sultans. The other two novels in the series were The Sultan's Daughter (1997) and The Reign of the Favored Women (1998).
The Turkish author Solmaz Kâmuran discovered the trilogy and offered to translate the books into Turkish. The books were released in Turkey in March 2000 and two weeks later they topped the country’s bestseller list. Her tour of the country later that year was covered by Turkish television and enthusiastically received by the populace.
Joan of Arc Tapestries
These books deal with similar themes with stories placed in medieval Europe. The books deal in part with prophecies of Joan of ArcJoan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
made by Merlin
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
and also suggest that Joan may have been a practitioner of pagan religions. There are four books in the series, including The Merlin of St. Gilles' Well (1999), The Merlin of the Oak Wood (2001) and Gloria.
Other fiction
Chamberlin's three books retelling Biblical times are The Virgin and the Tower, "Leaving Eden", and Tamar." "Tamar" was rereleased as "Snakesleeper" in 2007.Leaving Eden (2000) is told from the perspective of "Adam's daughter, Na'amah, by his first wife Lilith". Over the course of the novel, Adam rejects the old ways of the goddess and forges a new masculine religion represented by an enormous aurochs
Aurochs
The aurochs , the ancestor of domestic cattle, were a type of large wild cattle which inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa, but is now extinct; it survived in Europe until 1627....
.