Whelan, Gloria. Parade of shadows.WHELAN, Gloria. Parade of shadows. HarperCollins. 293p. c2007. 0-06-089028-5. $15.99. JS The Middle East probably has always been a complicated place; and Whelan sets this novel in 1907, a time filled with colonial powers plotting, sectarian violence Sectarian violence or sectarian strife is violence inspired by sectarianism, that is, between different sects of one particular mode of thought, not necessarily religious (e.g. , spies, nomadic See nomadic computing. tribes, and unusually strong personalities. Julia and her father journey on the Orient Express Orient Express Luxury train that ran from Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul) for over 80 years (1883–1977). Developed by the Belgian businessman Georges Nagelmackers, its luxuriously furnished cars became the symbol of glamour for European society. across Europe to Istanbul, then by sea to Beirut, by train to Damascus, by camel into the desert, to Palmyra Palmyra, ancient city, Syria Palmyra (pălmī`rə), ancient city of central Syria. A small modern village known as Tudmur is on the site. , Homs, and end in Alexandretta. Julia knows her father is working for the British government in some capacity, but they are to pretend to be tourists. She meets a young Englishman in Istanbul, who accompanies them on their tour. Graham is passionate about reform and believes the Young Turks Young Turks: see Ottoman Empire. Young Turks Turkish Jöntürkler Coalition of young dissidents who ended the sultanate of the Ottoman Empire. have the answer to change the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire (ŏt`əmən), vast state founded in the late 13th cent. by Turkish tribes in Anatolia and ruled by the descendants of Osman I until its dissolution in 1918. . Other characters (kind of like an Agatha Christie mystery) join the group, and each one seems to have a political agenda. The locals have their own disputes. The plot is suspenseful, with plenty of details of sleeping in tents in the desert, riding camels, being attracted to the wrong guy, and so on. YAs who like historical fiction will enjoy Whelan's carefully researched work. The cover looks suitably Middle Eastern, with the silhouette of a train crossing a desert promising an adventure. Claire Rosser, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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