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Princess Sultana's Daughters

by Jean Sasson (Goodreads Author)

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 3,593 ratings · 243 reviews

The haunting sequel to "Princess" recounts Princess Sultana's story of her two daughters, growing up within and rebelling against religious zeal and the male-dominated society of Saudi Arabia.

Paperback, 256 pages

Published January 1st 2010 by Windsor-Brooke Books (first published 1994)

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Mar 03, 2011 Sara H. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was... alright, I guess?
I suppose I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as someone else might have, me being an Arab and all.
I pretty much already knew all of the things related to the message this book was trying to send.
I hear about these kinds of things all the time, even if it's not particularly about the princess of Saudi Arabia.

I think what also put me off was the style of writing. But I can't really blame the author or anything because it's a true story. But it just seemed like a journal...more

6 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2008 Petra X rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: popculture-anthropology, travel-adventure

This book is a lot like a Chinese meal: thoroughly enjoyable at the time, you can't put your chopsticks down until its finished, but later you don't feel full and wonder at the insubstantiality of it all.

This book has been called a fake. Lots of books about women in Arab countries have that accusation leveled against them, far too many for it to be true all the time. This book doesn't read like a fake anyway. In a work of fiction, arguably, the enormous wealth would have been less taken for gran...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yet again, this book too, was gripping. I found it profoundly allureing to what motherhood might feel like for me once I get there, here in America, verse's Saudi Arabia. I found it far more uplifting than "Princess", but then as far as I am concered children themselves are almost alway's uplifting. There were enrageing part's as well, like the fact that anyone can get away with merely a slap in the face for haveing gangraped anyone such as unconcious patient in the hospital or a "purchased" wom...more

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Apr 26, 2009 PurplyCookie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, biography-memoir

A member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia, Sultana now is married to a progressive prince, but this privileged status does not protect her or her two daughters from the country's repressive laws against women. This book serves as a sequel to another book by the same author, "Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia". Unfortunately, I still haven't seen this book anywhere.

Though a devout Muslim, Sultana believes the entrenched male power structure has perverted religious...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 11, 2008 Kristy Buzbee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Heather

Shelves: memoir, nonfiction

The first chapter of this book actually starts when her father finds out about Princess and realizes that she must be the anonymous Saudi princess who wrote it (due to personal family events that are in it), and he calls a huge family meeting to throw the book at her face. Very intense. The majority of the book is about her three children - her son Abdullah, who she prays will grow to respect women and not treat them as objects, her rebellious daughter Maha, who suffers a mental breakdown due to...more

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Jun 01, 2008 Christina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Much as I thought the first book, Princess, was well-written and an important read, I was disappointed in this second book about a Saudi princess. While the behavior of both of Sultana's daughters is shocking, what I really got a taste of by the time I finished the book was how poor of a mother Sultana is. I understand that having grown up with wealth and ease, she probably doesn't know any different, but it was surprising to me to hear all of her daughter's problems blamed on the male-dominated...more Much as I thought the first book, Princess, was well-written and an important read, I was disappointed in this second book about a Saudi princess. While the behavior of both of Sultana's daughters is shocking, what I really got a taste of by the time I finished the book was how poor of a mother Sultana is. I understand that having grown up with wealth and ease, she probably doesn't know any different, but it was surprising to me to hear all of her daughter's problems blamed on the male-dominated society or her mother-in-law (in the case of their older daughter) or their in-born personality traits and their Saudi culture (their younger daughter). So many of the problems described seem like they are simply the result of children growing up spoiled and without any limits and similar problems would happen in other cultures if children are allowed such latitude as they are in this home. For example, Sultana's younger daughter becomes extremely religious and starts a group of like-minded young women determined to overthrow the monarchy and restore strict religious rule. Despite Sultana's dislike of this behavior in her youngest daughter, the group continues to meet at her house over and over. It seems to me that the simplest thing to do is to forbid the meetings? If you read earlier about this same daughter's interest in animals, you can see the extent she is indulged to an extreme -- allowed her own zoo of exotic pets? Not even punished when she insults her uncle?

It also seems that for his time, Sultana's husband is quite enlighted, yet every time he disagrees with her, she describes him with a bold brush as "like all men" when sometimes his arguments make a lot of sense. Yes, he is not exactly lily-white, but he values his daughters as much as his sons and he even seems quite modern compared to Sultana's father.

It also bothers me that Sultana constantly describes herself as an advocate for women's rights and someone who is actively working for them, yet I don't see much evidence of what she is doing. In one instance in the book, their Egyptian housekeeper has to beg her over and over before she finally relents and tries to help intervene in the female circumcision of the housekeeper's granddaughter.

Perhaps I'm too harsh in my judgment of Sultana, but in this book, she seems like a selfish, spoiled princess, blaming the world for her problems instead of taking some responsibility for herself and her surroundings.(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2010 Sandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: shhh-that-s-taboo-challenge, non-fiction, 2010-read

This book really made me mad. It is deplorable how women are still treated in Saudi Arabia. The narrator is Sultana, a member of the royal family. She is appalled at the status of women in her country but there is little she can do about it. She tells of child-brides forced to marry men who are decades older; sexual abuse of wives (which is perfectly legal in that country; female circumcision (very cringe-worthy descriptions); countless double standards. This book is the second in a trilogy. It...more

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Jan 04, 2008 Sanalith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, historical, religion, gender

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Second in book in the author's Princess trilogy. It's supposedly based on the true life experiences of a Saudi Arabian princess who goes by the name Sultana. Although I'm always skeptical about books "based on a true story," I can't always help but think that even if the main character didn't really go through everything herself, it's a good bet that someone she knew did, and that makes it chilling enough.

This book focuses on Sultana's children, her only son and two daughters. She is incredibly...more Second in book in the author's Princess trilogy. It's supposedly based on the true life experiences of a Saudi Arabian princess who goes by the name Sultana. Although I'm always skeptical about books "based on a true story," I can't always help but think that even if the main character didn't really go through everything herself, it's a good bet that someone she knew did, and that makes it chilling enough.

This book focuses on Sultana's children, her only son and two daughters. She is incredibly caring toward them all, and she pays special attention to her son to ensure that he does not treat his female relatives and future wives with anything less than courtesy and respect. The result is a boy of great integrity who is horrified at his mother's stories of genital mutilation, who steals money from his family safe only to donate it to the poor, and who risks his name and station to unite two lovers whose families are enemies. I find her son to be an incredibly uplifting character, because he proves that the cycle of violence does not have to continue.

Sultana's daughters are polar opposites of one another. The eldest is loud and enthusiastic, but becomes mentally unstable in her early years due to the incredible repression she sees around her. She even firsts with lesbianism for a time. After intense counseling, she returns to her normal self and becomes what appears to be almost a mini clone of Sultana herself. She is outspoken about her desires and hopes to fight for a better future for women. Her youngest daughter begins life as a quiet and meek girl who loves animals more than people and begins to overrun their palace with stray animals. After a pilgrimage to Mecca, however, she becomes a religious zealot who advocates traditional positions for men and women and openly advises her family when they are sinning. Sultana worries that she has somehow raised a girl who will grow up to undo all the work she has done for women's rights.

The difference between her children is at the cornerstone of the novel, and I think her small family truly represents the problems for Saudi women today. Sultana herself has a relative good life. She has a husband who loves who and who will not take another wife (though most men of his station take four), a son who will be good to his wife and assist others in their troubles, and two daughters who will (in their own ways) make a mark on Saudi society. Ironically, however, it is her son who pushes for equality and women's rights while one of her daughters makes a strong case for traditionalism. This shows that things will probably never fully change while so many women accept their fate and even believe strongly in it.

These books are not always easy reads for me, mainly because I can get squeamish easily. A full chapter was devoted to the practice of female circumcision, which is still practices in varying degrees today, especially in the country. Sex crimes are also heavily discussed, mainly because this is Sultana's main focus. A friend of her brother, for example, raped an unconscious women in a hospital, and when she was discovered to be pregnant, he paid off the doctor to not reveal his name. Her youngest sister suffered from anal rape by her husband, and the area was torn open and could no longer be used. A hole had to be cut in her side for waste to be removed. In response, her husband took another wife so he would never have to be near such ugliness again. Her sister did not protest, however, because if she sought a divorce, she would lose her children, and she was willing to suffer anything to be with them. Foreign women sell their young children as sex slaves, and men ridicule them for being whores yet don't hesitate to sleep with them.

The list goes on and on, but the books generally end on a positive note, with Sultana hoping that her actions have made the world at least a sightly better place for all women. I will be interested to see how the third book turns out.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 05, 2010 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

A princess of the Saudi Arabian royal family, Sultana Al Saud finds the oppressive treatment of women in her country intolerable. Growing up as a rebellious teenager and well known for her fight against the injustices meted out against women, Sultana was fortunate enough to have married a man considered somewhat more progressive than most other Saudi men. In the second book of the series, we witness Sultana grappling with family issues as both her daughters follow a path that could lead to their...more

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May 29, 2010 Donna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, saudi-arabia, read-in-spain

Princess Sultana lost a bit of my sympathy towards her in this second book of hers. It's hard to feel for her when you read her bragging of her expensive, vault-protected jewels, her extravagant homes all over the world, her spoilt daughter feeding luxury foods to cats and dogs, her laughing about laughing when two men died at Hajj, and her macing of her own cousin - to name but a few!

It's obvious that the women in Saudi Arabia are treated as inferior to the men, but the fact remains that this i...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Sheryn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My foremost reason for reading these books is that I enjoy learning more about the culture that surrounds me. This book piqued my interest and I found myself turning the pages continuously until there were none left. Yes there were times I found myself rolling my eyes at apparent exaggerations (which I do not like noticing in biographical pieces), but all in all it was a very enjoyable read. Parts of it were sad and painful, but Princess Sultana’s reactions to events mostly mirrored what mine wo...more

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Apr 04, 2010 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who likes soap operas and dramas.

I loved the first book "Princess Sultana" that I jumped at the chance to read the sequel that focuses on her daughters. Though, she tries Sultana can't help but watch as her daughters try to find their way in their oppressed society that is Saudi Arabia. Even with all their wealth their family fights the same modern problems like drugs, homosexuality and teenage angst. Like it's predecessor this book is filled with scandal that would make all the European royal families seem tame and dead boring...more

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Dec 09, 2008 Fiery added it

The ways in which woman are treated in certian parts of the world and by certain people are horrible and disturbing. Just as I said when I reveiwed PRINCESS, this story is enough to make you cry with its details of rape, exucution and marriage of young teenagers to old men. Through this book you come to learn about Princess Sultana's three children, and in perticular her two daughters. In this book you recoil in shock at the way in which these children are forced to react.

Again, another book eve...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Ankur Rastogi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Daughters of Arabia is a sequel to Jean Sasson's previous novel "Princess". It continues the story of Princess Sultana after she has 3 children (2 daughters and 1 son) and how she copes with the social customs but still trying to ensure that her children are not impacted by the social environment and bias towards women in Saudi Arabia.

The message continues to be strong and disturbing like the previous novel but the pace of the novel is much slower. At many places, the novel comes across like a d...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Meghana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 12, 2012 Delicious Strawberry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobiography, jean-sasson

After reading the first book in this trilogy, naturally I had to continue on, so I bought books 2 and 3. While not quite as good as the first one, I enjoyed this book a lot. I understand that some of the negative reviewers don't like this book because they complain that some of the stuff can't be true, like having a lesbian lover or illegal firearms or such.

Just because something sounds crazy doesn't mean it can't happen. And keep in mind that this book also includes the disclaimer that some eve...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Poonam rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading and watching so much of English monarchy in last few days, a book about a Saudi princess, a Middle East sob story enticingly chided me as it lay on top of pile of book I bought from the flea market.

This books is sequel of a book called 'Princess' by Jean Sasson that was based on true life of Saudi Princess Sultana. Long back I have mentioned 'Princess' on my blog here where author herself had commented - http://alchemistpoonam.wordpress.com/...

'Princess' was so full of painful, gut...more After reading and watching so much of English monarchy in last few days, a book about a Saudi princess, a Middle East sob story enticingly chided me as it lay on top of pile of book I bought from the flea market.

This books is sequel of a book called 'Princess' by Jean Sasson that was based on true life of Saudi Princess Sultana. Long back I have mentioned 'Princess' on my blog here where author herself had commented - http://alchemistpoonam.wordpress.com/...

'Princess' was so full of painful, gut-wrenching details/stories of treatment of women in Saudi Arabia that effectively put a stop to my read of any books about women in Middle East and other repressive Islamic countries like our neighbour (Remember 'My Feudal Lord'?).

Years later, I have again picked up a Jean Sasson. In this, princess Sultana goes on to speak the life of her children in Saudi. Her husband it seems is restored to the loving, protective husband she craved and deserved. However, her gentlest daughter takes to religious fanaticism after an innocent trip to Hajj. Her other ferocious daughter briefly turns lesbian out of her hatred of cruel Saudi men (except her father of course.) And her son Abdullah, to her husband's dismay remains uninterested in business investments yet remains the pride of his mother for his gentle heart. It, also seems, he is one of the few men in Saudi to allow a woman the right to choose her husband.

Previous characters from 'Princess' are sometimes recalled. I was relieved to note that in this book, other than agonizing subject of female circumcision there are no other as gut-wrenching details as in the last book.

That said, now that book has been read, anyone is welcome to have my copy or it goes to flea market. I can not keep a book as this as keepsake. To be fair, I have rated this books a star less than usual sorely due to the painful content it bravely chooses to address. Hey, much as I may care about the cause (and to the credit of author), I can't be expected to rate a sort of book that traumatizes me as 'like' it.(less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Ahmed Almawali added it · review of another edition

على يميني بالأعلى في صفحة الكتاب بالجود ريدز يظهر أن طبعات الكتاب بلغت 26 طبعة في مختلف اللغات، إذن هو مؤشر على أن للكتاب إنتشار واسع وكبير
الكتاب كان إعارة من صديق، ولمّا ذكر لي اسم الكتاب تذكرت رواية الحرام لنفس الكاتبة جين ساسون، أدركت عند تصفح الكتاب أن الحرام جزء سابق لنفس الرواية على الرغم أنها أطلقت اسما آخر علىها
الرواية جاءت على لسان سلطانة- الأميرة السعودية الثائرة على السلطة الذكورية- لتستكمل قصتها مع أحداث ووقائع وأسلوب حياة الأسرة، احتلت بناتها جزءا واسعا هذه المرة
في رأيي، الرواية هز...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Alaa hussien rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

ظلم .. فكر متطرف .. تخلف ! هذا ما تخيلته بالعقول التي يحملها المجتمع السعودي الذكوري !!
حقائق رهيبة تكشف مستوى دنائة البعض رغم كل الثقافة والسلطة التي يحملونها !!!
أي ذنب تحمله الأنثى هناك سوى أنها أنثى !!
تعاقب على ذنوب لم ترتكبها !!
تحبس في "الحجرة النسائية" فقط لأن فطرتها دعتها لتحب شخصا" من الجنس الآخر !!
تطلّق أخرى لعصيانها زوجها بسبب تافه !!
تهشم آرائهن .. يحرمن من أبسط حقوقهن !!!

بالمقابل يحق للرجل منهم ما لايحق لهن .. يحق له ممارسة الرذيلة مع نساء أخريات ولو كن من الخادمات !!
لدرجة أن منهم...more

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Feb 20, 2009 Phyl rated it 3 of 5 stars

I found this book an interesting glimpse into the Arabic culture. It made me really appreciate the freedom that we have in the West. I applaud the authors bravery in bringing things into the open and also the courage of her menfolk in daring to believe that things can change, albeit slowly.

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Jul 23, 2011 Mili Maria added it · review of another edition

gripping!!!! we women who r free...born that way...take our lives truly for granted. Thanks the lord for democracy and liberation. I especially like to thank my Amma and Appa for believing that is truly important to raise their children in a liberated and independant way!

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Apr 13, 2009 Debra Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was hard to read about all of the horrible things that the women had and continue to endure. It was hard to read, but I think important to learn about how women are treated in this culture. I really admire the Princess bravery to tell her story.

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Mar 12, 2009 Janeal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in Sultana's three books where she depicts her life as a mother raising children in a very one sided and biased world. I enjoyed the first book more but it makes me very grateful for the freedoms that I have. On to the third book!

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Nov 28, 2008 Inspired Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 about Sultana was very interesting to read. I enjoyed this story and love Sultana's unquenchable spirit. The plight of women in Saudi Arabia is quite sad to read about and some of the stories are so disheartening but I enjoyed this book.

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Jan 07, 2011 Noel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: culture-clash, history, memoir, non-fiction

The real life story of a princess in Saudi Arabia, someone with more money than she knows how to spend, yet living the life that western ladies cannot even imagine. Will be rereading.

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Jul 14, 2008 Dev rated it 5 of 5 stars

Holy Cow! The money would be nice, but you would have to live under dire circumstances. Excellent book group discussion book -some parts are a little hard to digest . . .

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May 24, 2007 suzy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Excellent account of how the extremely rich of Saudia Arabia live. Learned a lot. I sometimes worry the the author will be harmed for revealing so much.

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Dec 01, 2009 Kelly Clarke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 of the princess trilogy. I am fascinated with this woman.Very good book and will sure to instill a vast variety of emotions in the reader.

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Feb 29, 2008 Julie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Autobiographical if I remember correctly and she came across annoying and self absorbed. I couldn't get into the book or care about the character.

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May 01, 2011 Mad_Maudie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction, bio-auto-memoir

A very gripping book. Difficult to read because it is true. Just goes to show how much ground women still have left to gain.

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About Jean Sasson

Jean Sasson was born in a small town in Alabama. An avid reader from an early age, she had read all the books in her school library by the time she was 15 years old. She also began her book collection at age 15. When given the chance to travel, Sasson accepted a position at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, and lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 12 years. She...more

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