book data
77 ratings, 3.23 average rating, 14 reviews
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published
July 1st 1992
by Anchor
binding
Paperback, 288 pages
isbn
0385423586
(isbn13: 9780385423588)
description
A powerful and moving novel, by the Arab worlds leading woman novelist, about four women coping with the insular, oppressive society of an unnam...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 112)
Four women live in an unnamed Arabic desert-country, reacting differently to the enclosed world they inhabit:
Suha: a "foreigner" who is suffocating under the weight of the heavy fabric she must inhabit, the small lot she is allowed in life. Cannot wait to leave the desert.
Tamr: desires to open her own store and must risk infuriating her family and shaming her male relations.
Suzanne: a voluptuous American woman who is thrilled to live in the desert, as she stands out and c...more
Suha: a "foreigner" who is suffocating under the weight of the heavy fabric she must inhabit, the small lot she is allowed in life. Cannot wait to leave the desert.
Tamr: desires to open her own store and must risk infuriating her family and shaming her male relations.
Suzanne: a voluptuous American woman who is thrilled to live in the desert, as she stands out and c...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
people who like angsty "women's stories"
Good concept: poor execution.
Four disparate Middle Eastren women -- who know or know of each other -- tell their stories about women's lives in a fundamentalist male-dominated society. Each woman's story adds another POV to what's going on with all the other characters.
I thought it would be an interesting approach to first-person narrative. The idea, I assume, was to give the reader a view of each character from internal and external POVs. Unfortunately, the writer failed to delive...more
Four disparate Middle Eastren women -- who know or know of each other -- tell their stories about women's lives in a fundamentalist male-dominated society. Each woman's story adds another POV to what's going on with all the other characters.
I thought it would be an interesting approach to first-person narrative. The idea, I assume, was to give the reader a view of each character from internal and external POVs. Unfortunately, the writer failed to delive...more
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I don't remember when I last read this book -- it's been more than once. I post it here because in our present day climate it might be a good read for anyone interested in the variable conditions of women in the Middle East and within Islam. It's beautifully, beautifully written and follows the life of a number of women (both Islamic and American) in an unnamed country (that appears to be Saudi Arabia); the author is Lebanese.
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Read in September, 2008
This book was interesting, but not so engaging that I couldn't put it down. This became problematic because the narratives of the characters often read the same way and I had difficulty keeping track of their stories. Additionally, I thought the prose related to the Ex-pat woman was clearly an Arab writing about her impression of Americans, rather than an American writing about her impression of Arabs, as was intended.
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It is interesting...about four women living in an no named desert in the Middle East. Two of them have lived in societies previously that allow women more freedom. The other two have always lived with the restrictions, all of the feel trapped and bored. At times it gets a little challenging to follow, the author switches narrators and flashes back and forward without much warning.
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Four women in a contemporary Arab country. They each share their stories (so it's 4 perspectives). I like that there are Muslim and one is American so we can c/c the white perspective to the Arab perspective.This was one of the first Islam/Muslim/Arab fiction books I ever read so it's impact on me was immense. Plus the writing style is very good.
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Read in November, 2000
Like Anil's Ghost, this book is set in a world very foreign and not understood by westerners. It is intriguing yet sad (and sickening) to get a feel for the lives of women caged by a suppressive, man-powered culture. And like Anil's Ghost, the writing was a little awkward and lacking.
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Read in July, 2007
I learned a little bit about many subjects while reading this work of fiction. My exposure to middle eastern history was broadened, and I found that this book helps an outsider discover some of the struggles women have when forced to migrate to culturally different areas.
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Read in January, 2008
I couldn't finish this. The first two sections are fine, but the last two about the ex-pat house wife and the Arab house-wife I didn't like. The Ex-pat house wife is too whiney and the other one is just too much like a spoilt child.
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Read in November, 2003
This was the first book I didn't finish for book club, and it was intriguing but couldn't hold my attention and I kept picking up other books before I had finished this one.
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Read in November, 2008
I loved the idea of this book, but just couldn't get into it. I'm not sure if it was the writing style, translation, or story. A bit of a disappointment.
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recommended to Carolyn by:
Book Club Selection
Didn't enjoy this book very much. Maybe it was the translation, but didn't move me.
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