Friday, May 9, 2014

Florence of Arabia

Florence of Arabia , by Christopher Buckley
Random House, New York, 253 pages


It all started with a phone call in the middle of the night. Of course it did! Florence Farfalletti answers the phone and here we go! All she is doing is trying to help a friend. Next thing you know she is writing a strategy memo for the state department, all of which gets her reassigned pronto.
Rather than starting in the beginning we are actually somewhat in the middle -  east that is Matar pronounced mutter and Wasabia. England and France were drawing lines on a map. England had Winston Churchill, after knowing that, who France had really didn't matter / mutter. Matar was given a port on the sea and Wasabia was land-locked and forced to pay Matar fees for water access via pipeline.
The Emir of Matar as was the case with all males screwed every female anything that moved. If you weren't procreating you weren't trying. Fortunately for the French the Emir had a brother. The French wanted a leader they could control.
Florence, now a free agent had a plan. After her stint and subsequent transfer were put in the rear view mirror, suffice it to say, she pursued other options.
What we end up with is an eclectic mix of soldiers of (mis) fortune?? One of whom is a public relations specialist. Another is a southern stalwart named Bobby. Then there is Uncle Sam, he is one plugged in connected individual.
Florence, in conjunction with Princess Leila (Emir Gazzy's) wife - well one of many anyway form TV Matar. This proves to be news women can use. It also proves to rile the royals.
I can give spoiler alert chapter and verse but the elements are in place. Contrary to my characterization by snippets this is crafted. We haven't even mentioned sibling rivalry yet.
Oh by the way. People are routinely threatened. People are routinely tortured. People routinely have their heads chopped off. By the way don't forget to say Allah be praised.
Too thin on detail? The omission is intentional. I will tell you this book is hilarious. I did not like it a little I flat out loved it. 
Reviewed by Robert White

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