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sabrinaliterary's review
3.0
The first half is a riot, with thinly-veiled commentary on the Middle East (fundamentalist Wasabia... the neighboring Matar-- pronounced "Mutter"). And then, you know, you get to the plot. And that part is just not very interesting.
ella1801's review
3.0
Oh Buckley, Buckley, Buckley, how I do love thee.
Florence is brilliant--subversive and sarcastic with a real plot that turns in on itself more than Buckley novels usually do. This one demands a little more of the reader than usual but certainly isn't taxing.
In all, one of the most quotable novels I've read in a while. Not a bad female protagonist, though certainly no comparison to he strong female in Boomsday.
Florence is brilliant--subversive and sarcastic with a real plot that turns in on itself more than Buckley novels usually do. This one demands a little more of the reader than usual but certainly isn't taxing.
In all, one of the most quotable novels I've read in a while. Not a bad female protagonist, though certainly no comparison to he strong female in Boomsday.
droffig's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Full review http://bookwi.se/florence_of_arabia/
Short review - I am a fan of Christopher Buckley. He is what I read when I am tired of reading or need something to pick me up. While this was good, I didn't think it was as good as some others. So I am probably being a bit hard on it because I am such a fan of his other writing. If you like Buckley, read it. If you haven't read Buckley read one of his others first.
Short review - I am a fan of Christopher Buckley. He is what I read when I am tired of reading or need something to pick me up. While this was good, I didn't think it was as good as some others. So I am probably being a bit hard on it because I am such a fan of his other writing. If you like Buckley, read it. If you haven't read Buckley read one of his others first.
bookishwendy's review
4.0
The irreverent Mr. Buckley, having already thoroughly mocked lobbyists supporting cigarettes, guns and alcohol in Thank You for Smoking, turns to a subject somewhat less tapped for slapstick and satire: the Middle East.
Assistant to the assistant to the deputy of Middle Eastern Affairs, Florence Farfaletti accidentally gets mixed up in the execution of the wife of a (fictional) Middle Eastern diplomat. She is then volunteered for subsequent covert operation to bring woman's rights to the most misogynistic corner of the planet via a woman's Arabic TV station. This is a station where anchorwomen in abayas trip over things on screen because they can't see past a one degree angle of incident. The true life consequences of what will happen to the aforementioned abaya'd women who urge their audiences to mail-order books on woman's rights "packaged for your privacy and protection" are not particularly humorous, and Buckley is realistic enough to recognize this. Actually, "Wasabi" regime's reaction to the woman's movement is pretty bloody, and soon Florence is watching the outspoken women around her get arrested, stoned and beaten to death...
This book surprised me in both its hilarity and its brutality, reminding me that even though it is satire, it still rings plausible with respect to the state of woman's rights in the Middle East today. I did enjoy Buckley's faux-political history lessons (like "Let's Put Iraq Here and Jordan Over Here: Drawing Borders in the Middle East"), but the "love story" element did not quite work for me--gratuitous, unemotional sex. Overall, worthwhile for the snappy commentary, but not without its flaws.
Assistant to the assistant to the deputy of Middle Eastern Affairs, Florence Farfaletti accidentally gets mixed up in the execution of the wife of a (fictional) Middle Eastern diplomat. She is then volunteered for subsequent covert operation to bring woman's rights to the most misogynistic corner of the planet via a woman's Arabic TV station. This is a station where anchorwomen in abayas trip over things on screen because they can't see past a one degree angle of incident. The true life consequences of what will happen to the aforementioned abaya'd women who urge their audiences to mail-order books on woman's rights "packaged for your privacy and protection" are not particularly humorous, and Buckley is realistic enough to recognize this. Actually, "Wasabi" regime's reaction to the woman's movement is pretty bloody, and soon Florence is watching the outspoken women around her get arrested, stoned and beaten to death...
This book surprised me in both its hilarity and its brutality, reminding me that even though it is satire, it still rings plausible with respect to the state of woman's rights in the Middle East today. I did enjoy Buckley's faux-political history lessons (like "Let's Put Iraq Here and Jordan Over Here: Drawing Borders in the Middle East"), but the "love story" element did not quite work for me--gratuitous, unemotional sex. Overall, worthwhile for the snappy commentary, but not without its flaws.
blevins's review
3.0
It's been awhile since I've read anything by Christopher Buckley, but this novel is pretty much what you'd expect from him--fast-paced satire involving politics and various related subjects connected to the government. Buckley has made a literary career of mocking Washington types of every stripe and in this zippy novel, he adds some zingers toward the Middle East. The story follows a fetching female government employee sent to a fictitious Arabic country with the idea to rouse up the female population enough to overturn repressive dictatorships. They attempt this by creating a TV channel catered to women. It's extremely doubtful this would work in the real world, but it does provide Buckley with all kinds of opportunities to satirize Arabic culture. While not earth shattering or new [that is if you're familiar with Buckley], FLORENCE OF ARABIA is entertaining and will provide a chuckle here and there.
ecole's review
5.0
I don't think that I could ever say anything bad about Christopher Buckley. Anyone that can take women's rights in the middle east, public executions, and secret government organizations and make it funny is definately a keeper.
ptaradactyl's review
2.0
Not my favorite Christopher Buckley book. It had some very funny lines and some biting satire, sure. Overall, though, it was outside the realm of maneuvering and spin that he creates so well.
Usually, the sides face off over high stakes, not life-or-death ones, and they battle it out in the arena of public opinion. Florence had too many deaux ex machina machine guns showing up.
It makes me want to reread Boomsday to watch Buckley spin and outmaneuver his heart out.
Usually, the sides face off over high stakes, not life-or-death ones, and they battle it out in the arena of public opinion. Florence had too many deaux ex machina machine guns showing up.
It makes me want to reread Boomsday to watch Buckley spin and outmaneuver his heart out.
dogearedtales's review
3.0
Eh. not my favorite of his. While there are always multiple plotlines that end up pulling together this one felt a bit trite and didn't flow as smoothly as the others.
devilsangel360live's review
4.0
Taking such a sensitive topic like Middle East affairs, Chris Buckley creates another gem. Although, this book lacks the subtlety of his previous masterpiece - "Thank you for Smoking", likable characters, gripping plot and satirical ending makes up for all its deficiencies. Uncle Sam is unique - wonder who will be playing this role if ever this book is made into a movie. The ending motto - we all work for investment bankers :)