Edith Maud Hull

E.M. Hull (1880-1947) was a British novelist best known for writing The Sheik (1919), a controversial romance novel that became an international bestseller and spawned the "desert romance" genre of fiction. The success of The Sheik led to a major film adaptation in 1921 starring Rudolph Valentino, which further cemented Hull's influence on popular culture and helped establish the archetype of the desert romance hero in Western literature. The novel's themes of exoticism, forbidden love, and female desire sparked significant debate at the time of publication. Hull wrote several other desert romances including The Shadow of the East (1921) and The Sons of the Sheik (1925), though none achieved the same level of success as her debut. She began writing relatively late in life, publishing her first novel at age 39 while living in Essex, England. Despite criticism of her work's orientalist themes and depictions by modern scholars, Hull's impact on the romance genre was significant, with The Sheik selling over 1.2 million copies worldwide. Her writing style combined elements of adventure literature with romantic themes that appealed strongly to post-WWI audiences.

Readers view E.M. Hull's work as melodramatic desert romance that helped establish tropes of the genre. Her most-discussed novel "The Sheik" maintains a 3.3/5 rating on Goodreads across 3,000+ ratings. Readers praised: - Atmospheric desert settings - Intensity of the relationships - Historical value as an influential romance novel - Entertainment value as a "guilty pleasure read" Common criticisms: - Dated colonial attitudes and racist stereotypes - Poor character development - Simplistic writing style - Problematic consent issues - Plot holes and improbable scenarios On Amazon, "The Sheik" averages 3.8/5 stars. Multiple reviewers note they read it primarily for its significance to romance genre history. One reader called it "fascinatingly awful" while another praised its "unabashed melodrama." Reviews frequently mention the 1921 film adaptation with Rudolph Valentino when discussing the book. Other Hull novels like "Sons of the Sheik" and "The Desert Healer" have limited reviews but similar ratings in the 3-3.5 star range.

The Sheik A romance novel about an independent English woman who is kidnapped by a powerful Arab sheik in the North African desert and gradually falls in love with her captor. (1919)

The Shadow of the East Set in Egypt, this novel follows a British officer haunted by his past who becomes entangled in desert intrigue and finds unexpected romance. (1921)

The Sons of the Sheik A sequel to The Sheik that continues the desert saga with the next generation, focusing on the twin sons of the original protagonists. (1925)

The Desert Healer A tale of redemption centered on an English doctor who finds purpose and love while serving Bedouin tribes in the Arabian desert. (1923)

The Captive of the Sahara Chronicles the story of an Englishwoman who ventures into the Sahara and becomes involved with a mysterious desert ruler. (1931)

The Forest of Terrible Things A departure from Hull's usual desert settings, following a woman's journey through dangerous African jungles. (1939)

The Lion-Tamer A romantic drama about a circus performer and her complex relationship with both her profession and a wealthy admirer. (1928)

Georgette Heyer Her historical romance novels from the 1920s-1960s feature strong-willed heroines and dramatic love stories set in distinct time periods. She established many conventions of the historical romance genre through detailed period research and complex relationship dynamics.

Victoria Holt Her Gothic romance novels combine elements of mystery, suspense and exotic locations with passionate romance plots. She wrote prolifically under multiple pen names including Jean Plaidy, focusing on historical settings and dramatic emotional conflicts.

Barbara Cartland Her romance novels follow similar patterns of innocent heroines and powerful male leads in historical settings. She wrote over 700 novels centered on themes of passion and social status, often incorporating exotic locations and forbidden relationships.

M.M. Kaye Her novels like The Far Pavilions combine romance with detailed portrayals of British colonial India and other exotic settings. She drew from her experiences living in India to create authentic historical backdrops for her romance narratives.

Joan Grant Her novels blend romantic themes with mystical and reincarnation elements in historical settings including ancient Egypt. She wrote first-person narratives claiming to be memories of past lives, incorporating themes of destiny and passion across different time periods.