Veils - Softcover

McGreal, Pat

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563895617 ISBN 13: 9781563895616

Publisher: Vertigo, 1999

Synopsis

When Vivian Pearse-Packard visits the Sultan's palace she is invited to enter the harem, and she must decide if this enticing forbidden world is worth the risks.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Sublimated Victorian sexuality, white slavery, turn-of-the-century orientalism and the precious hokiness of Hollywood-inspired Arabian exoticism combine in this ingeniously illustrated photo/graphic novel. The book uses photographs (as well as digital and painted artwork) of elaborate sets and costumed actors to carry the story, presenting a richly textured Victorian colonial style and exuding a lush, albeit corny, Middle Eastern mystique. Vivian, a young English housewife, accompanies her insufferable husband on a diplomatic mission to an Arabian sultanate. There, they happen upon the local slave market, where Vivian becomes fascinated by a female slave. Later, visiting the sultan along with her husband, Vivian is invited, quite improbably, to visit the royal harem, where she hears the story of Rosalind, a white aristocrat kipnapped into the harem years before. This book offers a savvy reprise of a durable clich?Auptight colonialist West meets seething, unknowable EastAthat is somewhat recharged by a dose of female homoeroticism and Vivian's kinky attraction to the harem and the sexual domination it symbolizes. The story serves as a dark fable on sex, love and culture, but it's really the kitschy, melodramatic photo illustrations that make this costume fantasy an enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek diversion.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Vertigo
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563895617
• ISBN 13: 9781563895616
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96