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Angélique - Version Originale #4
Angélique and the Sultan
This fourth book in the series, which was first published in England in 1960, sees Angélique leave the confines of France for the first time.
She embarks on a series of adventures around the Mediterranean - more precisely the Barbary Coast of North Africa, which led to the American editions of the book being called Angélique in Barbary. In French the book was called Indomitable Angélique.
She falls under the power, control and influence of a series of men and endures various physical and mental challenges, including being sold as a slave at Candia (Iráklion), Crete.
Her problems are far from over when she is presented as a gift to Mulay Ismail, Sultan of Morocco and imprisoned in his harem - but Angélique hatches a daring plan to escape.
However, freedom proves to be as elusive as ever and Angélique is set to return to more familiar territory...
She embarks on a series of adventures around the Mediterranean - more precisely the Barbary Coast of North Africa, which led to the American editions of the book being called Angélique in Barbary. In French the book was called Indomitable Angélique.
She falls under the power, control and influence of a series of men and endures various physical and mental challenges, including being sold as a slave at Candia (Iráklion), Crete.
Her problems are far from over when she is presented as a gift to Mulay Ismail, Sultan of Morocco and imprisoned in his harem - but Angélique hatches a daring plan to escape.
However, freedom proves to be as elusive as ever and Angélique is set to return to more familiar territory...
415 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
About the author
Anne Golon
243 books168 followersBorn in Toulon as Simone Changeux in 1921; she published under the pseudonym of Sergeanne Golon or Anne & Serge Golon, and later as Anne Golon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 3, 2021
Despite lacking the focus and depth of the previous three novels, ‘Angelique and the Sultan’ takes a surprising leap of faith in transporting the action to the Mediterranean regions and to the harem of the real-life Mulai Ismail, Sultan of Morocco (1647-1727). The attention to historical and period detail almost makes up for the slightly plodding plot - certainly the weakest of the Golon novels, to date.
January 9, 2009
Sins of my youth -- I read this book when I was 12 with red ears... well still a pretty good trash read!
March 3, 2012
3.5 stars
Review is slightly spoilerish
"Of course, it's important. I know you. Nothing would make you bother the police for a joke. With you, it's always something important-you're about to be murdered, or else commit suicide, or perhaps you've decided to involve the Royal Family in some fiendish scandal, or disobey the Pope."
Hah! This is the third book in a long series, and this review will be rather brief to avoid spoiling events from the prior novels, Angelique (Book 1) and Angélique and the King (Book 2). At the end of book two, Angelique learned that her supposedly dead husband might not be so dead after all, and she's willing to risk everything, including the King's wrath to find him. Despite the heavy police guard placed on her by the express command of Louis XIV, Angélique slips away, and her feminine charms come in quite handy when she needs to wheedle her way onto one of the King's vessels heading for Crete. No surprise, but there's no smooth sailing in Angélique's world and after a battle or two at sea and a shipwreck, she's captured and sold as a slave to the highest bidder - the notorious pirate Rescator. Oh, but the fool escapes and lands herself right into the hands (and harem) of the infamous Sultan of Morocco. Will she survive with her virtue intact, or will that treacherous body of hers betray her once again?
"This was the only time in her life that she was ashamed of being a woman and a beautiful one to boot. She could not help thinking of herself as merely a work of art being inspected by some critical collector pondering its material values only. She felt as is (sic) she had been robbed of her soul."
I did enjoy this book, although there were times when events dragged on too long for my tastes - there seemed to be a lot of background being set up for events that will happen in the later books. I did notice that the edition I read is from a different translator than some of the other editions and read a bit dryer than those and for that I'm knocking off half a star. Still, jolly good fun and next up is Angelique in Revolt (Book 4).
Review is slightly spoilerish
"Of course, it's important. I know you. Nothing would make you bother the police for a joke. With you, it's always something important-you're about to be murdered, or else commit suicide, or perhaps you've decided to involve the Royal Family in some fiendish scandal, or disobey the Pope."
Hah! This is the third book in a long series, and this review will be rather brief to avoid spoiling events from the prior novels, Angelique (Book 1) and Angélique and the King (Book 2). At the end of book two, Angelique learned that her supposedly dead husband might not be so dead after all, and she's willing to risk everything, including the King's wrath to find him. Despite the heavy police guard placed on her by the express command of Louis XIV, Angélique slips away, and her feminine charms come in quite handy when she needs to wheedle her way onto one of the King's vessels heading for Crete. No surprise, but there's no smooth sailing in Angélique's world and after a battle or two at sea and a shipwreck, she's captured and sold as a slave to the highest bidder - the notorious pirate Rescator. Oh, but the fool escapes and lands herself right into the hands (and harem) of the infamous Sultan of Morocco. Will she survive with her virtue intact, or will that treacherous body of hers betray her once again?
"This was the only time in her life that she was ashamed of being a woman and a beautiful one to boot. She could not help thinking of herself as merely a work of art being inspected by some critical collector pondering its material values only. She felt as is (sic) she had been robbed of her soul."
I did enjoy this book, although there were times when events dragged on too long for my tastes - there seemed to be a lot of background being set up for events that will happen in the later books. I did notice that the edition I read is from a different translator than some of the other editions and read a bit dryer than those and for that I'm knocking off half a star. Still, jolly good fun and next up is Angelique in Revolt (Book 4).
November 29, 2017
Barely ok, borderline why am I doing this to myself?
Back when I was a teenager, it never would've even occurred to me to read this series; now, I've decided to 'marathon' it for the historical interest and to see how long I'd last. Well, this one is where I throw the white flag for the moment.
The first book instantly alarmed me with its persistent mentions of sexuality and sexual violence; it did not seem like a 'light' read to me at all. Or at least, a relaxing one. Then I pressed on, and Angelique managed to charm me all over again, plus there was surprisingly more atmosphere and history than I expected for a proto 'bodice-ripper'. It's not that the series is shallow or poorly written (save for some eyebrow-raising turns of phrase, but could also be the translation's faults) - it's that it's seriously weighed down by all the toxic romance and views about men and/vs. women!
The Parisian underworld was grotesque, but it was husband #2, Philippe, who completely disgusted me. Like, I eyeroll at de Peyrac whenever he speaks of love, but Philippe, I wanted to shoot dead personally. Then the books continued their slow but sure slide towards the horrific rape in book 5 (absolutely, 100 % skipping that one). In this instalment, the sheer, objective horror of captivity and slavery, well described in non-fiction like The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh or Andrian Tinniswood's book about Barbary corsairs, is made even scarier by the romance cliches and fetishism. No amount of personal bravery could counter the icky feeling of needing brain bleach and/or a long shower. Plus, both of my favourites after Angelique - Savary and the Grand Eunich - die awful and pointless deaths.
OH, and the whole Angelique repeatedly not recognising Rescator? Pure black comedy tbh.
Back when I was a teenager, it never would've even occurred to me to read this series; now, I've decided to 'marathon' it for the historical interest and to see how long I'd last. Well, this one is where I throw the white flag for the moment.
The first book instantly alarmed me with its persistent mentions of sexuality and sexual violence; it did not seem like a 'light' read to me at all. Or at least, a relaxing one. Then I pressed on, and Angelique managed to charm me all over again, plus there was surprisingly more atmosphere and history than I expected for a proto 'bodice-ripper'. It's not that the series is shallow or poorly written (save for some eyebrow-raising turns of phrase, but could also be the translation's faults) - it's that it's seriously weighed down by all the toxic romance and views about men and/vs. women!
The Parisian underworld was grotesque, but it was husband #2, Philippe, who completely disgusted me. Like, I eyeroll at de Peyrac whenever he speaks of love, but Philippe, I wanted to shoot dead personally. Then the books continued their slow but sure slide towards the horrific rape in book 5 (absolutely, 100 % skipping that one). In this instalment, the sheer, objective horror of captivity and slavery, well described in non-fiction like The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh or Andrian Tinniswood's book about Barbary corsairs, is made even scarier by the romance cliches and fetishism. No amount of personal bravery could counter the icky feeling of needing brain bleach and/or a long shower. Plus, both of my favourites after Angelique - Savary and the Grand Eunich - die awful and pointless deaths.
OH, and the whole Angelique repeatedly not recognising Rescator? Pure black comedy tbh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2017
“Dobro je odupirati se smrti. Ali pod uslovom da je se čovek ne boji. Smrt je deo naše igre, našeg života. Uvek sam je smatrao dobrim društvom koje nas uvek prati. Tako idemo napred s dva dobra druga, sa životom i sa smrću. Oba polažu na nas ista prava. Ne smemo od njih praviti čudovišta. Ni od jednog, ni od drugog. Tako je to, i to je samo igra. Glavno je ne izgubiti razum usput.”
Odlučno odbivši da postane miljenica Luja XIV, Anđelika od Njegovog veličanstva saznaje da njen prvi muž, grof Žofrej od Pejraka prije deset godina nije spaljen na trgu Grev. Uz gomilu dužnosnika koji su mu tada pokušavali ući u trag, za glasinama je išao i tadašnji Anđelikin advokat, a sadašnji pomočnik šefa policije, Degre.
Anđelikinu suludu odlučnost da nakon deset godina krene u potragu za mužem ojačati će saznanje da je nedugo nakon svog navodnog pogubljenja, Žofrej boravio u palati Botreji i sa sobom odnio sakrivene zlatnike. Može li ljubav jedne žene biti toliko jaka da, nošena uzburkanim i opasnim vodama Sredozemnog mora dospije čak do Krete na kojoj je trgovina robljem svakodnevnica, a tajanstveni gusari ravnaju sudbinama čak i onih kojima se u visokom društvu svi klanjaju.
I u ovom dijelu historijske sage autorica se nije odrekla svog običaja da stare, često sporedne likove, postavlja na nove pozornice, davajući priči dirljive zaokrete. Ovdje se nešto više bavi sudarom dviju religija i kultura koje su u sedamnaestom vijeku, pa i danas, često dolazile u dodir. Kršćanstvo i islam prepliću se u haremu marokanskog sultana Mula Ismaila kome je Veliki evnuh Osman Ferađi za ženu namijenio neukrotivu Anđeliku. Može li ona još jednom pobjeći vlastitoj sudbini, ili je ova unaprijed određena?
Iako je tek zadnjih stotinjak stranica teklo onim tempom kakav sam od ovog serijala navikao dobiti, prevagnula je četvorka zbog svega onoga što bi se moglo dogoditi u sljedećem nastavku.
Odlučno odbivši da postane miljenica Luja XIV, Anđelika od Njegovog veličanstva saznaje da njen prvi muž, grof Žofrej od Pejraka prije deset godina nije spaljen na trgu Grev. Uz gomilu dužnosnika koji su mu tada pokušavali ući u trag, za glasinama je išao i tadašnji Anđelikin advokat, a sadašnji pomočnik šefa policije, Degre.
Anđelikinu suludu odlučnost da nakon deset godina krene u potragu za mužem ojačati će saznanje da je nedugo nakon svog navodnog pogubljenja, Žofrej boravio u palati Botreji i sa sobom odnio sakrivene zlatnike. Može li ljubav jedne žene biti toliko jaka da, nošena uzburkanim i opasnim vodama Sredozemnog mora dospije čak do Krete na kojoj je trgovina robljem svakodnevnica, a tajanstveni gusari ravnaju sudbinama čak i onih kojima se u visokom društvu svi klanjaju.
I u ovom dijelu historijske sage autorica se nije odrekla svog običaja da stare, često sporedne likove, postavlja na nove pozornice, davajući priči dirljive zaokrete. Ovdje se nešto više bavi sudarom dviju religija i kultura koje su u sedamnaestom vijeku, pa i danas, često dolazile u dodir. Kršćanstvo i islam prepliću se u haremu marokanskog sultana Mula Ismaila kome je Veliki evnuh Osman Ferađi za ženu namijenio neukrotivu Anđeliku. Može li ona još jednom pobjeći vlastitoj sudbini, ili je ova unaprijed određena?
Iako je tek zadnjih stotinjak stranica teklo onim tempom kakav sam od ovog serijala navikao dobiti, prevagnula je četvorka zbog svega onoga što bi se moglo dogoditi u sljedećem nastavku.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2023
Gera sena Andželika, po kurios grįžau daugiau nei po dvidešimties metų, norėdama prisiminti paauglystės skaitinius. Kadaise buvau apsėsta tos serijos: visos mano barbės buvo pavadintos Anželikom, apie Andželiką rašiau pirmuose dienoraščiuose ir keikiau likimą, kad tėvai davė man paprastą lietuvišką vardą, o juk galėjo pavadinti Andželika.
Žinojau, kad dabar skaitant man jau daug kas klius: seksizmas, rasizmas, personažų naivumas. Ir vis tiek - kaip smagu buvo grįžti prie jaunystės knygos ir prisiminti maištingosios prancūzės nuotykius ieškant savo vyro Žofrėjaus de Peirako. Jei būčiau mama, ar duočiau paauglei dukrai tokį romaną skaityti? Dievaži, tikrai ne. Žavėjimasis Andželikos personažu yra tiesus kelias į nepilnavertiškumo kompleksų mišką – ji yra neregėto grožio, proto ir sumanumo – visiems be išimties sutiktiems vyrams linksta kojos ir maišosi protas nuo Andželikos aksominės odos ir mėlynų akių, kiekvienoje situacijoje ji išsisuka iš kebliausios padėties savo žavesio ir drąsos dėka. Tokia fantastinė pasakaitė pusiau suaugusiems tais laikais, kai dar nebuvo Fifty Shades of Grey o kažką pikantiško skaityti jau norėjosi. Šiek tiek istorijos prideda papildomų taškų. Meninės vertės čia mažai, bet grynai subjektyviai iš sentimentų duosiu tris žvaigždutes.
- Tu juk žinai Viduržiemio jūros priežodį: „Lavonas – jūros krankliui, laimikis – piratui, o moteris – visiems“.
October 2, 2007
Angelique in Barbary
Sergeanne Golon - 3rd in series
This book tells how beautiful, emerald-eyed Angelique, sets out in search of her first husband, Joffrey de Peyrac.
Although Angelique has lived many lives in the years since Joffrey was sentenced to death, she could never forget him and remembered as the gentlest and wisest of her lovers. When the King reveals that Joffrey was spared execution and later outwitted his guards, she knows that no matter how inaccessible his hiding place, she will make every sacrifice to find him.
In the face of the King's jealous opposition, Angelique embarks on a voyage of discovery. The clues lead her from Marseilles to Candia, the blood-soaked centre of the slave trade, to Malta, Algiers and the fabled harems of Morocco. Shipwrecked, sold to Rescator, masked prince of the pirates, given to the Grand Eunuch of the Sultan Mulai Ismail, cruellest and most fanatical of the sons of Mohammed, Angelique is sustained only by her great love.
Another magical entry to this series. I still have all my original paperback copies. That has to tell you something.
Sergeanne Golon - 3rd in series
This book tells how beautiful, emerald-eyed Angelique, sets out in search of her first husband, Joffrey de Peyrac.
Although Angelique has lived many lives in the years since Joffrey was sentenced to death, she could never forget him and remembered as the gentlest and wisest of her lovers. When the King reveals that Joffrey was spared execution and later outwitted his guards, she knows that no matter how inaccessible his hiding place, she will make every sacrifice to find him.
In the face of the King's jealous opposition, Angelique embarks on a voyage of discovery. The clues lead her from Marseilles to Candia, the blood-soaked centre of the slave trade, to Malta, Algiers and the fabled harems of Morocco. Shipwrecked, sold to Rescator, masked prince of the pirates, given to the Grand Eunuch of the Sultan Mulai Ismail, cruellest and most fanatical of the sons of Mohammed, Angelique is sustained only by her great love.
Another magical entry to this series. I still have all my original paperback copies. That has to tell you something.
September 4, 2013
Book Cover
"France's daughter of joy seeks lusty new adventures as a Sultan's pampered slave
Angelique one of the most irresistible heroines in the history of fiction. Saucy, emerald-eyed slave of passion, Angelique's stormy adventurer have taken her from the gutters of Paris to the harems of Africa to the silken prison of a king.
Angelique begins a perilous search for her lost love in the lawless, savage world of the Mediterranean, where her beauty is plunder for pirates, treasure for the slave traders, a helpless plaything for the lust-crazed Sultan."
I haven't read this book in over 30 years or I would give you a review, but I will say that I have carried it from one country to the next, its been one of my most favorite books and I have it next to my bed to read again soon.
"France's daughter of joy seeks lusty new adventures as a Sultan's pampered slave
Angelique one of the most irresistible heroines in the history of fiction. Saucy, emerald-eyed slave of passion, Angelique's stormy adventurer have taken her from the gutters of Paris to the harems of Africa to the silken prison of a king.
Angelique begins a perilous search for her lost love in the lawless, savage world of the Mediterranean, where her beauty is plunder for pirates, treasure for the slave traders, a helpless plaything for the lust-crazed Sultan."
I haven't read this book in over 30 years or I would give you a review, but I will say that I have carried it from one country to the next, its been one of my most favorite books and I have it next to my bed to read again soon.
December 26, 2009
With the first two books, I learned about being a strong woman despite hardship, and being true to yourself. This book opened up a whole new Arabian world, and made me go on used book searches for the next book.
August 18, 2013
Just like the three before it, this fourth book in the Angelique series, was magnificent. It had every element of brilliant writing and I found myself utterly caught up. This book was absolutely unbelievable. I loved it! This is well beyond 5 stars!
August 13, 2022
3.5 stars
On one hand, this one had a really, really long pace - but what do you expect when you are reading a book that deals with natryvdhr orvat xrcg nf n frk fynir? The life involved is boring, hagvy znqr greevslvat ol natryvdhr'f bja pubvprf. C'est la vie. However, by the end I could hardly put the book down; in net it was a compelling read, with an important lesson:
This is a book that gives a glimpse at what the muslim world looked like from the inside, at the time, when it had no competition from outside, when it had the power to build the world in the image of its sunna, and where there was no scrutiny from outsiders to care about. But the thing is: Islam is the final word from Allah, so this is the world they want to (re)build. The book captured both its brutality and its glory. It's worth reading (alongside the Qur'an/hadiths to get a sense for how accurate of a portrayal it is) if only to see what christiandom was faced with, then and what we in the modern world are faced with the prospect of, today.
The main difference between then and now is that then there was a thousand km between the relatively safe french peasants and moor invaders. Today they who would dare murder an author in cold blood for writing things about their god they do not approve operate in the heart of the literate world and are increasingly in our neighborhoods, on our street, in our apartment blocks. The same people who would have us fear them and their god, who pass out literature in our neighbourhoods about how just and proper it is to beat your wives and children, who follow the same totalitarian dogma *are here*. The modern Angelique escaping a modern Mulai Ismail would not be safe to merely make her way to France, or Quebec for that matter. She would not be safe practically anywhere in Canada, or Europe. The story would never end, but for her death or recapture. There is no longer a safe Phrgn for her to escape to, no King of France to appeal to for aid.
We aren't so different, of course - but this is the world they would build if given a chance, and we are given a *taste* of the hopelessness it entails with this novel.
On one hand, this one had a really, really long pace - but what do you expect when you are reading a book that deals with natryvdhr orvat xrcg nf n frk fynir? The life involved is boring, hagvy znqr greevslvat ol natryvdhr'f bja pubvprf. C'est la vie. However, by the end I could hardly put the book down; in net it was a compelling read, with an important lesson:
This is a book that gives a glimpse at what the muslim world looked like from the inside, at the time, when it had no competition from outside, when it had the power to build the world in the image of its sunna, and where there was no scrutiny from outsiders to care about. But the thing is: Islam is the final word from Allah, so this is the world they want to (re)build. The book captured both its brutality and its glory. It's worth reading (alongside the Qur'an/hadiths to get a sense for how accurate of a portrayal it is) if only to see what christiandom was faced with, then and what we in the modern world are faced with the prospect of, today.
The main difference between then and now is that then there was a thousand km between the relatively safe french peasants and moor invaders. Today they who would dare murder an author in cold blood for writing things about their god they do not approve operate in the heart of the literate world and are increasingly in our neighborhoods, on our street, in our apartment blocks. The same people who would have us fear them and their god, who pass out literature in our neighbourhoods about how just and proper it is to beat your wives and children, who follow the same totalitarian dogma *are here*. The modern Angelique escaping a modern Mulai Ismail would not be safe to merely make her way to France, or Quebec for that matter. She would not be safe practically anywhere in Canada, or Europe. The story would never end, but for her death or recapture. There is no longer a safe Phrgn for her to escape to, no King of France to appeal to for aid.
We aren't so different, of course - but this is the world they would build if given a chance, and we are given a *taste* of the hopelessness it entails with this novel.
February 24, 2010
I read the complete series of 13 books (theoretically it would be 14 in English, but vol. 1 & 2 are one volume in Germany, plus the last 3 books have not been translated into English) twice, but this volume is the one that I did enjoy the least. I am simply not interested in sultans, serails and harems at all. I prefer France or Quebec as a location.
So this time while rereading the whole series, I will skip this volume.
The first 9 books were great, but the last ones from vol. 10 on seem to be different...as if they have been written by somebody else, not by Anne Golon. I hope that the l'integrale version of "Angelique" will finally correct and change this!
So this time while rereading the whole series, I will skip this volume.
The first 9 books were great, but the last ones from vol. 10 on seem to be different...as if they have been written by somebody else, not by Anne Golon. I hope that the l'integrale version of "Angelique" will finally correct and change this!
Read
October 18, 2014Love the cover. Generally speaking not a big fan of the whole series, as in this series, Angelique the heroine, always "escapes her fate" just in the nick of time, and I find that all droll and boring. But the cover art is to die for. I'd have done it with Angelique in a silk harem outfit, about to fall off her, with a perfect shot of the Sultan behind her.
December 29, 2022
Took the novel for a quick read. The story was OK, but the ever repeating tendency of practically every character in the book to fall in love with the protagonist was becoming boring and annoying. Nevertheless, the setting of the plot in Morocco was refreshing, although I missed more elaborate and picturesque description of the surrounding environment and culture.
January 7, 2020
Si cette aventure-ci m'a un peu moins passionnée, il faut reconnaître que les genres se croisent de tomes en tomes et que c'est plutôt réjouissant.
May 5, 2021
Doar cateva momente in care Angelica a fost cu sultanul , de aici nu vad de ce cartea are asa Titlu ?! Plus s-a finisat fara mare inteles,nu mi-a placut sfarsitul, a fost parca rupt....
August 25, 2014
Překvapení nastalo v okamžiku, kdy se opravdu začalo něco dít. Samozřejmě se mi nelíbilo, čím vším si musela Angelika projít a že zanechala děti v péči své sestry, která ji nesnášela. Po odsouzení jejího manžela se zhroutila, což je sando chápatelné, ale méně pak její činy. Nesouhlasila jsem plně s jejími rozhodnutími, ale koneckonců není na mě, abych určovala literární postavu někoho jiného. Tato kniha se mi líbila více než předchozí díl, ale také jsem si asi přivykla více na televizní komerční formu vyprávění tohot příběhu.
March 11, 2014
I read this series of "Angelique" books when I was 16-17 years old - I thought it was cool that they were translated from French. I liked the exotic settings (geographically and historically) and I liked the idea that she could get out of any situation and the passionate parts were just icing on the cake. At that time I had no idea what a bodice ripper novel was and probably wouldn't pick it up today. I rated as I would have when I read them.
Read
February 8, 2011Like the other Angelique books, magnificent historical novels that take one to 17th century France and create a lifelong interest in this fascinating period of history. Five stars and more. In this book, Angelique is captured by pirates and becomes a slave in the harem of a tyrant. Exciting as all the other books by Sargeanne Gplon.
September 16, 2015
The fourth book in the Angelique series. I read this in High school many years ago.
November 13, 2008
My first in a history, romance series -- I LOVED all of them and was sad when Serge died. The last book, by Anne, clearly showed what Serge added.
January 1, 2009
The story line is becoming more romance and far less history.
July 9, 2009
This was the best book ever. I fell in love with pirates with this book.
Read
August 6, 2011Oh man this book taught me so much about slavery and piracy in the 17th century!
August 18, 2014
I read all these over 40 years ago and loved them.
November 16, 2015
Less good than the previous two/three (Book 1&2 in first volume).
January 21, 2020
magnifique
April 14, 2021
Разноцветный приключенческий роман.
February 3, 2015
Loved this series many years ago...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews