Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman's Awakening

Questions About Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman's Awakening

by Manal Al-Sharif (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (5)

What kind of image that she pose in regards to Muslim Women? In a positive or negative way? I haven't read the book but my concern is that she doesn't support the stereotype that all Muslim Women are oppressed and that she had to do something completely different to be recognised. (I understand that she is living in Saudi and they have certain restrictions that are unequal)
Aemun In the book, she tells honestly what it is like living under the rules of Saudi tradition and culture. She notes that in her research, Islam does not …moreIn the book, she tells honestly what it is like living under the rules of Saudi tradition and culture. She notes that in her research, Islam does not support the social rules that are so brutally enforced in Saudi Arabia during her childhood. She calls out the connection of "Islamic scholars" to the government and their underlying agendas.
Besides this, she relays the stories of other Muslim women she interacts with, all of whom are different. Some are liberal, some do not wear hijab, some have jobs, some are mean, some are conservative. They are each unique.
She also writes about the other influences causing abuse in her childhood. These include poverty, mental illness, and domestic violence. Not just an extremist (and unjust) interpretation of Islam.
She is telling only her story. She is asking for change. She did not tolerate oppression.
To ignore all of the above and assume she and all Muslim women are just oppressed and that's that while reading/after having read the book is a blatantly biased approach to a very personal and honest story.
I think it is very eye-opening and saddening, but also hopeful and motivated for change, especially since we are already seeing progress in Saudi Arabia today.
I think you should read it. It can be hard to read, it can anger you. But I learned from it and am proud of her.
That's my two cents. (less)
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The book's premise doesn't seem to make sense? "The Saudi woman who stood up to a kingdom of men", "she was a religious radical - but what a difference an education can make - her memoir is a celebration of the exceptional power of education." Yeah, except she graduated from the King Abdulaziz University and was raised and educated by the same tyrant's educational system. So the praise is for the Saudi crowned clowns?
Aemun I think what she means by the difference her education made was her ability to work professionally as an equal to men, to think about things in a logi…moreI think what she means by the difference her education made was her ability to work professionally as an equal to men, to think about things in a logical manner, to interact with people that are different from her, to have new experiences, and to learn different opinions and perspectives and ultimately make her own choices.
Her education was not just from the University, but also as a child. Her mother insisted on her being educated, there she got to escape from the abuse at home and found a way to take pride in herself and her accomplishments.
She also did her own research about Islam and the laws of Saudi Arabia. This is its own kind of education. She learned that the rules so brutally enforced upon her and others when she was growing up were not Islamic and sometimes not even law. They were cultural, they were social. They were tradition. And yet they were enforced as though these made up rules were absolute truths. So she learned, and she learned to challenge these rules.
Finally, I don't think this is the entire premise of the book is just education. The book definitely is a proof of the power of education, but that is not the only point made.
It is also about the Saudi systems, the experience of one girl in Saudi Arabia; how she grew and learned, how she persisted, what she endured, and how she decided she was going to change things. It's about her sacrifices.
To me, it's about the miracle of human perseverance and ambition. It's about coming out of the dark into the light. It's about having hope. It's about the danger of unchecked power and uncontested ideas. But ultimately, it is her story. Education is a part of it, but it is not the whole premise.
I hope this helped. (less)
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Is this book appropriate reading for my 7th grade daughter? I have the book, but I have not yet had the chance to read it.
Ahavangoldwater I would wait a little while. There are some adult themes included in the story.
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English version has 1500+ reviews. Arabic version has 7 reviews as of today. Why?
Tala Im guessing that the arabic readers would go on arabic book wesites to rate rather than english sites. Its would make more sense. An arabic reader on …moreIm guessing that the arabic readers would go on arabic book wesites to rate rather than english sites. Its would make more sense. An arabic reader on an arabic site could wonder why the eng version on the arabic site has little reviews. Its hand in hand(less)
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Has anything been done in doing away with the circumcision of women?
Kristin Too broad of a question. It varies widely by country. It's not common in Saudi Arabia. It happens in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries, it all depe…moreToo broad of a question. It varies widely by country. It's not common in Saudi Arabia. It happens in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries, it all depends on culture. Efforts to end the practice also vary widely by country.
In Saudi: http://www.stopfgmmideast.org/countri...
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