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A Year Under Sharia Law: Memoir of an American Couple Living and Working in Saudi Arabia
Three years into a financial crisis that shows no sign of loosening its grip, a young couple make the unpopular decision to teach English in Saudi Arabia. The choice of Saudi Arabia is based primarily on the best salary offer, an all expenses paid round trip flight and secondarily to satiate a desire to explore a country steeped in mystery and taboo. Little do they know that the experience will come with a price and change their lives in a profound way, witnessing human rights violations that go unchecked even up to today and an ultra-conservative culture wrestling with tradition and modernity. A Year Under Sharia Law is written as a travel memoir with vignettes of daily life and interactions with the community at large. It was also written to shine a spotlight on the plight of impoverished ladies who come to Saudi Arabia in the hopes of earning a salary to send money back to their family. They find work as nannies and house maids primarily. These ladies are often stripped of their rights in a patriarchy that makes them prime targets for unspeakable abuses. Their passports are held by their Saudi employees and they essentially become prisoners. This memoir is not only dedicated to them and their plight but also the tireless and dangerous work done by journalists who are critical of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Some have paid the ultimate price.
- GenresNonfictionTravelMemoir
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2019
330 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Alex Fletcher
21 booksAlex has lived and worked in Africa, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, and they now reside in Michigan. Alex currently teaches ESL. In their spare time, Alex and his wife Liz enjoy hiking and camping in national parks with their two kids and golden retriever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 8, 2019
Interesting story
The story and information are interesting. It's a quick read but strangely, since the author is an English teacher, I found way too many typos and odd sentences. This book clearly needs a good editor and a proof reader.
The story and information are interesting. It's a quick read but strangely, since the author is an English teacher, I found way too many typos and odd sentences. This book clearly needs a good editor and a proof reader.
July 24, 2019
I am also an intl educator who has worked as a teacher and administrator in seven countries, never Saudi Arabia, though. It was never on my list of places to go, but I have heard and know people who teach/taught there. The high salaries often seem to be the motivating factor to uproot and move there. I did work in Cairo, Egypt, however, but it was a lot more lax than Saudi Arabia.
The Fletcher's experiences of their time in Saudi were quite shocking and I can understand why it took Alex five years to write about them. A truly unbelievable country from the horrible driving, to witnessing a beheading, to the religious police arresting foreigners, to students getting paid to go to university. From the number of "midnight runs" mentioned by Alex it seems true that money is not always enough to sacrifice your morals and values. At least that's what Alex and Liz Fletcher came to believe.
Thank you Fletcher's for telling your story.
The Fletcher's experiences of their time in Saudi were quite shocking and I can understand why it took Alex five years to write about them. A truly unbelievable country from the horrible driving, to witnessing a beheading, to the religious police arresting foreigners, to students getting paid to go to university. From the number of "midnight runs" mentioned by Alex it seems true that money is not always enough to sacrifice your morals and values. At least that's what Alex and Liz Fletcher came to believe.
Thank you Fletcher's for telling your story.
January 13, 2021
Poor English for an English teacher
Reasonably entertaining story, but it was marred by suboptimal English. For example “... I could have went to the....”. I’m not sure whether to blame the author, editor or publisher but the book certainly did nothing to add to my command of English and proved distracting to what might have been a good story.
Reasonably entertaining story, but it was marred by suboptimal English. For example “... I could have went to the....”. I’m not sure whether to blame the author, editor or publisher but the book certainly did nothing to add to my command of English and proved distracting to what might have been a good story.
June 20, 2021
I'm eternally curious about travel experiences, but this wasn't my favourite—it's never a good sign, for me, when there's not a single recurring local (non-expat) character. The Fletchers were hired to teach English at universities in Riyadh, and they soon came to understand how different life could be in Saudi Arabia.
But I don't know how much this says about Saudi culture or lives. There are some mentions of mistreatment of domestic workers (more on that in a moment), but most of the 'adventures' come down to the Fletchers looking for different food, or ways to make alcohol or party with other expats, or being driven back and forth to campus and being annoyed if the drivers leave late. Not really the sorts of through-threads that interest me.
Alex Fletcher wrote the bulk of the book, with occasional emails included from Liz (I'm sorry not to have heard more from her, by the way, because I expect that the experience of Saudi Arabia as an expat woman would be very different from the experience of an expat man), so I'm going to go forward with talking about (Alex) Fletcher as the author. Okay. With that out of the way...
I was going to go on a tear about hyperbole, but I'll skip that and go back to the question of human rights and the treatment of women. I always looked at his newest conquest with sadness, trying to make her run for the hills using telepathy, says Fletcher of an expat acquaintance who had bragged about beating his ex-wife. I wish I could have done more, but it wasn't my place. (145) Guys...this attitude is so terribly sad to me. Yes. Yes, if you know somebody has a history of being abusive and of being proud of it, it is your place to say something to other people who might be at risk, and to make it clear to the abuser that you don't condone their behaviour. The best example I can give is rape jokes: one thing abusers do, consciously or not, is see how much they can 'get away with' around people other than the person/people they're abusing. So let's say that Person A makes a joke about women being sluts, or a rape joke. Person B laughs, or changes the subject, or otherwise doesn't push back. Now Person A knows that B isn't going to call him out on his misogyny (or, likely, anything else)...and if, say, Person C happens to be listening, she now feels less safe talking to B if ever someone treats her badly or she needs help.
Fletcher isn't talking about rape jokes here (well—not in that part of the book), but he is sending a clear message: it was more important to him not to rock the boat with a relative stranger who was known to abuse women than it was to try to give women information that might have kept them from becoming victims themselves, or helped them to get out of an abusive situation. Now—this is a memoir, and Fletcher can't change what he did or didn't do or say, and there's no fault in that. But I really, really want to see more growth and understanding than 'it wasn't my place', because right now the readership is Person C and Fletcher is Person B.
(Some untagged spoilers in what follows)
The Fletchers left Saudi Arabia after a close call involving an illegal party and escaping through the streets wearing swimsuits, without Liz's abaya—a transgression that could have landed them in jail. Their escape came down partly to luck and partly to the help of a police officer who hailed them a taxi—getting them safely off the streets and away from the morality police. This is how Fletcher sums it up: Perhaps the divine intervened, or the police officer's indifference prevailed. So, thank you, Jesus, Allah, and the subpar Saudi work ethic (177). But...isn't there another way to read this? Because 'indifference' to me would look more like 'do nothing and let the morality police do what they will'. I guess it feels like Fletcher couldn't see past his perception of Saudis to think that the police officer just...might have been trying to help.
A friend of theirs was arrested at the same event, and this is the one note I'm going to make about hyperbole: Amy was in prison less than twenty-four hours, but the experience had forever changed her life. (179) There's dialogue from Amy to that effect, too; she pledges to go to the Philippines embassy to try to help some of the women she met in jail who had less 'valuable' passports and were thus at higher risk. But the thing is: there's no way of knowing, in the book, if Amy's life was 'changed forever' or if it just became a sad story that she later told about her time in Saudi Arabia. I suspect that her going to the embassy (let's assume that she did that much) had very little effect in the short or the long term, and while her eyes might have been opened, I could have used quite a bit more follow-up before claiming that her life was 'forever changed'.
I'll leave off with my favourite typo (I really need to keep a list): ...cars of men would stop and preposition her... (141)
I guess in the Internet age, that could just be a pretentious way of saying @ someone...?
But I don't know how much this says about Saudi culture or lives. There are some mentions of mistreatment of domestic workers (more on that in a moment), but most of the 'adventures' come down to the Fletchers looking for different food, or ways to make alcohol or party with other expats, or being driven back and forth to campus and being annoyed if the drivers leave late. Not really the sorts of through-threads that interest me.
Alex Fletcher wrote the bulk of the book, with occasional emails included from Liz (I'm sorry not to have heard more from her, by the way, because I expect that the experience of Saudi Arabia as an expat woman would be very different from the experience of an expat man), so I'm going to go forward with talking about (Alex) Fletcher as the author. Okay. With that out of the way...
I was going to go on a tear about hyperbole, but I'll skip that and go back to the question of human rights and the treatment of women. I always looked at his newest conquest with sadness, trying to make her run for the hills using telepathy, says Fletcher of an expat acquaintance who had bragged about beating his ex-wife. I wish I could have done more, but it wasn't my place. (145) Guys...this attitude is so terribly sad to me. Yes. Yes, if you know somebody has a history of being abusive and of being proud of it, it is your place to say something to other people who might be at risk, and to make it clear to the abuser that you don't condone their behaviour. The best example I can give is rape jokes: one thing abusers do, consciously or not, is see how much they can 'get away with' around people other than the person/people they're abusing. So let's say that Person A makes a joke about women being sluts, or a rape joke. Person B laughs, or changes the subject, or otherwise doesn't push back. Now Person A knows that B isn't going to call him out on his misogyny (or, likely, anything else)...and if, say, Person C happens to be listening, she now feels less safe talking to B if ever someone treats her badly or she needs help.
Fletcher isn't talking about rape jokes here (well—not in that part of the book), but he is sending a clear message: it was more important to him not to rock the boat with a relative stranger who was known to abuse women than it was to try to give women information that might have kept them from becoming victims themselves, or helped them to get out of an abusive situation. Now—this is a memoir, and Fletcher can't change what he did or didn't do or say, and there's no fault in that. But I really, really want to see more growth and understanding than 'it wasn't my place', because right now the readership is Person C and Fletcher is Person B.
(Some untagged spoilers in what follows)
The Fletchers left Saudi Arabia after a close call involving an illegal party and escaping through the streets wearing swimsuits, without Liz's abaya—a transgression that could have landed them in jail. Their escape came down partly to luck and partly to the help of a police officer who hailed them a taxi—getting them safely off the streets and away from the morality police. This is how Fletcher sums it up: Perhaps the divine intervened, or the police officer's indifference prevailed. So, thank you, Jesus, Allah, and the subpar Saudi work ethic (177). But...isn't there another way to read this? Because 'indifference' to me would look more like 'do nothing and let the morality police do what they will'. I guess it feels like Fletcher couldn't see past his perception of Saudis to think that the police officer just...might have been trying to help.
A friend of theirs was arrested at the same event, and this is the one note I'm going to make about hyperbole: Amy was in prison less than twenty-four hours, but the experience had forever changed her life. (179) There's dialogue from Amy to that effect, too; she pledges to go to the Philippines embassy to try to help some of the women she met in jail who had less 'valuable' passports and were thus at higher risk. But the thing is: there's no way of knowing, in the book, if Amy's life was 'changed forever' or if it just became a sad story that she later told about her time in Saudi Arabia. I suspect that her going to the embassy (let's assume that she did that much) had very little effect in the short or the long term, and while her eyes might have been opened, I could have used quite a bit more follow-up before claiming that her life was 'forever changed'.
I'll leave off with my favourite typo (I really need to keep a list): ...cars of men would stop and preposition her... (141)
I guess in the Internet age, that could just be a pretentious way of saying @ someone...?
September 27, 2024
White man does zero research or prep and then is surprised when faced with culture shock. All the quotes he pulls from colleagues about Saudi Arabia are ALWAYS negative. I don’t doubt the validity of his experience, just that he claimed to want a “cultural experience” then was upset when he got it. This comes across as extremely judgmental and western-centric.
May 19, 2019
I had hoped this book would offer more insight into Sharia Law, per se, but was disappointed because it presented an easy reading narrative of both characters, and was a true story, but was very mild and only showed the daily inconveniences and occasionally close calls. When it ended, I was still waiting for something to actually happen. Perhaps they were lucky, that they weren't exposed to much more dangerous happenings, but for a story, I was disappointed. I think they were extremely desperate and actually stupid for going over there in the first place, as being in America, one doesn't have to risk their life to earn money to pay off debt. There are far too many people living on the dole of the government, who do so proudly - not that I approve of that, but simply wouldn't risk my life for debts they shouldn't have accrued in the first place. Author doesn't seem very intelligent to me.
February 19, 2021
I thought this book was something different but it turned out to be two Americans talking about their experience in Saudi. It was an easy read but very the author was very American.
July 24, 2019
I am also an intl educator who has worked as a teacher and administrator in seven countries, never Saudi Arabia, though. It was never on my list of places to go, but I have heard and know people who teach/taught there. The high salaries often seem to be the motivating factor to uproot and move there. I did work in Cairo, Egypt, however, but it was a lot more lax than Saudi Arabia.
The Fletcher's experiences of their time in Saudi were quite shocking and I can understand why it took Alex five years to write about them. A truly unbelievable country from the horrible driving, to witnessing a beheading, to the religious police arresting foreigners, to students getting paid to go to university. From the number of "midnight runs" mentioned by Alex it seems true that money is not always enough to sacrifice your morals and values. At least that's what Alex and Liz Fletcher came to believe.
Thank you Fletcher's for telling your story.
The Fletcher's experiences of their time in Saudi were quite shocking and I can understand why it took Alex five years to write about them. A truly unbelievable country from the horrible driving, to witnessing a beheading, to the religious police arresting foreigners, to students getting paid to go to university. From the number of "midnight runs" mentioned by Alex it seems true that money is not always enough to sacrifice your morals and values. At least that's what Alex and Liz Fletcher came to believe.
Thank you Fletcher's for telling your story.
January 17, 2020
Interesting stories, but I felt it jumped around way too much. Some things were repeated too much. One page he says "the entrance of the worksite had a big poster proclaiming it to be the future site of a library named after the current king" and then 2 paragraphs later "we had noticed that it was the future home of a library, dedicated to the king." Needed better proofreading! Complained too much about not being able to drink and then ignorantly broke the law by making his own wine. Too often he describes more detail of the food they ate than other experiences that might have been more interesting. I was curious to hear more about the embassy party instead of 3 short paragraphs that ended with they didnt like it. They said they saw a beheading but didn't explain much about it. It seemed to be a lot of second hand stories he or his wife heard from work or someone they met more than actual experiences. They stories jumped around too much and were not well organized.
January 22, 2019
Well written book about an American couple choosing to move to Saudi Arabia for teaching opportunities and their navigation of the culture and challenges faced as foreigners in a new country. The writing style feels punchy and fast paced. The book builds to a climax at the end where the couple is faced to make the ultimate decision following a fateful evening. Would recommend for anyone interested in new cultures, and the mystery shrouding The Middle East.
January 23, 2023
Find a better book about Saudi Arabia to read!
This book was very disappointing. The couple went to Saudi Arabia without learning about the culture, rules, standards of society before hand. It seems that during their stay they tried to get away with many Western habits and then complained about their repercussions. Really? You did go to SAUDI ARABIA! The author doesn't go into much detail or history about Sharia law.
It's just not a good book in my opinion.
This book was very disappointing. The couple went to Saudi Arabia without learning about the culture, rules, standards of society before hand. It seems that during their stay they tried to get away with many Western habits and then complained about their repercussions. Really? You did go to SAUDI ARABIA! The author doesn't go into much detail or history about Sharia law.
It's just not a good book in my opinion.
December 31, 2020
Compared to a similar book I read a bit flat. It is just their lives without much background info on the country.
August 11, 2022
This book was fine, there was nothing extraordinary about it. The writing was easy to get through and the story was harrowing. This is a cautionary tale of know what you are getting yourself into before you arrive because the consequences could be devastating if not fatal. I had no idea how horrific the human rights abuses were in Saudi Arabia. This is definitely an eye-opener.
A note about the ending, something significant should’ve happened before the couple left for home and I have many questions. There’s a significant event at the end that is likely triggering so tread lightly.
A note about the ending, something significant should’ve happened before the couple left for home and I have many questions. There’s a significant event at the end that is likely triggering so tread lightly.
April 17, 2019
A Nightmare
This was an extremely interesting read. Since all the recent press about the repressions in Saudi Arabia, this adds more insight into the country. It points out many reasons we should reconsider our alliance with this country.
This was an extremely interesting read. Since all the recent press about the repressions in Saudi Arabia, this adds more insight into the country. It points out many reasons we should reconsider our alliance with this country.
April 15, 2019
Good book
This is a good book that describes what it is like to work and live in Ridiyah. The human rights issues there are very concerning, to say the least!
This is a good book that describes what it is like to work and live in Ridiyah. The human rights issues there are very concerning, to say the least!
December 6, 2022
Saudi Arabia is a country that has always fascinated me. A nation that seems so distant, yet at the same time, a vital artery in the global economy. Alex and Liz Fletcher offer a unique insight into life inside the kingdom as a western couple. Unfortunately, they were not equipped for life in an Islamic state, and their actions came across as not only ignorant but dangerous at times.
What is great to read is their experience as teachers and the work culture in Saudi, as well as some critical issues they pick up on. What concerns me most is how two people who clearly don’t understand the consequence of disrespecting sharia law ended up with jobs in Saudi Arabia. Despite public flogging and imprisonment being typical punishments for alcohol consumption, the couple still thought it was a good idea to make homemade wine.
After reading, I feel there needs to be stronger protections in place to ensure that westerners who don’t understand the consequences of their actions cannot work in countries with sharia law. The Fletchers are not the only westerners putting themself in danger, and there should be preventive measures to stop people like this from getting in trouble.
What is great to read is their experience as teachers and the work culture in Saudi, as well as some critical issues they pick up on. What concerns me most is how two people who clearly don’t understand the consequence of disrespecting sharia law ended up with jobs in Saudi Arabia. Despite public flogging and imprisonment being typical punishments for alcohol consumption, the couple still thought it was a good idea to make homemade wine.
After reading, I feel there needs to be stronger protections in place to ensure that westerners who don’t understand the consequences of their actions cannot work in countries with sharia law. The Fletchers are not the only westerners putting themself in danger, and there should be preventive measures to stop people like this from getting in trouble.
January 14, 2024
A quick, interesting read…
…but I was shocked by the number of grammatical mistakes, given the author has a degree in English.
The chapters are short, and the stories engaging. I was surprised at how much the author was able to get away with (making wine in his apartment, attending parties, and participating in co-ed sporting events, to name a few). The revelation that women are allowed an education was enlightening, and answered a question I had long asked. I also found it intriguing how so many teachers felt free to discuss their religious beliefs, knowing the consequences if overheard by the wrong person.
A patriarchal society is almost always one where women ultimately pay the price for the sins of men, but learning how many women are sexually assaulted (or threatened with sexual assault) in Saudi Arabia is still shocking to me. For a country so entrenched in moral superiority, it seems inconceivable that men would commit such atrocious acts nay, sins, against their fairer sex.
In the end, the book builds toward its climax, holding the reader in suspense as to how things would work out, and the ending does not disappoint.
…but I was shocked by the number of grammatical mistakes, given the author has a degree in English.
The chapters are short, and the stories engaging. I was surprised at how much the author was able to get away with (making wine in his apartment, attending parties, and participating in co-ed sporting events, to name a few). The revelation that women are allowed an education was enlightening, and answered a question I had long asked. I also found it intriguing how so many teachers felt free to discuss their religious beliefs, knowing the consequences if overheard by the wrong person.
A patriarchal society is almost always one where women ultimately pay the price for the sins of men, but learning how many women are sexually assaulted (or threatened with sexual assault) in Saudi Arabia is still shocking to me. For a country so entrenched in moral superiority, it seems inconceivable that men would commit such atrocious acts nay, sins, against their fairer sex.
In the end, the book builds toward its climax, holding the reader in suspense as to how things would work out, and the ending does not disappoint.
November 21, 2023
Jean38no
Most interesting story about Saudi Arabia. I felt like a lot of things that happened to this couple they brought on themselves . I know young people want to be free to do what they want and coming from a country(USA) where you can do that as long as you aren’t hurting others . I think they had a hard time believing that there were countries like Saudi’s. Where there were really no personal freedoms. So they were like children flaunting the laws of the country seeing how much they could get away with. I’m glad they wrote the book so other young people can realize what they maybe getting into when going to these foreign countries. If the US has relationships with them and there is an embassy you may stand a chance of getting out. There are many Americans and European young people in prisons in foreign countries . If you go try to found out as much as you can about their laws and try to respect their laws.
Most interesting story about Saudi Arabia. I felt like a lot of things that happened to this couple they brought on themselves . I know young people want to be free to do what they want and coming from a country(USA) where you can do that as long as you aren’t hurting others . I think they had a hard time believing that there were countries like Saudi’s. Where there were really no personal freedoms. So they were like children flaunting the laws of the country seeing how much they could get away with. I’m glad they wrote the book so other young people can realize what they maybe getting into when going to these foreign countries. If the US has relationships with them and there is an embassy you may stand a chance of getting out. There are many Americans and European young people in prisons in foreign countries . If you go try to found out as much as you can about their laws and try to respect their laws.
October 31, 2020
Memoir
Thank goodness this couple was married, to each other, and were halfway intelligent. Yes, they saw a quick fix to their money woes and had taught before in other countries, but they came back to America smarter and more humble. I was disappointed that they didn't help the women and girls, mainly from the Philippines jailed. You have to read the book if you want to know the reason they were jailed. I was surprised that Alex and Liz broke so many Saudi laws, because they were bored. Very fortunate that the one "get together" was the only time they were in a raid by the Religion Police. Not a great book. Yes it was their memoir but I believe they could have reported so many more atrocities but didn't. At least they wrote this much. I gave four stars because of the education I did gleam from the book. For that education, I thank you both.
Thank goodness this couple was married, to each other, and were halfway intelligent. Yes, they saw a quick fix to their money woes and had taught before in other countries, but they came back to America smarter and more humble. I was disappointed that they didn't help the women and girls, mainly from the Philippines jailed. You have to read the book if you want to know the reason they were jailed. I was surprised that Alex and Liz broke so many Saudi laws, because they were bored. Very fortunate that the one "get together" was the only time they were in a raid by the Religion Police. Not a great book. Yes it was their memoir but I believe they could have reported so many more atrocities but didn't. At least they wrote this much. I gave four stars because of the education I did gleam from the book. For that education, I thank you both.
March 1, 2021
Very open, blunt memoir of time spent in Saudi Arabia teaching English. It is very much the experience of just one couple, but even though they are shockingly inexperienced in life, they are interested in different cultures and people, and share their daily lives and attempts at exploring the Kingdom.
The four stars are strictly because I enjoyed the book and its insights. The withheld star should be at least 3 withheld stars for incredibly bad grammar, garbled idioms, and unclear writing. Some university in Michigan awarded this man an English degree and he dishonors that degree repeatedly with sentences like "I would have went anyway..." I read the paperback, so there's no blaming the ebook for this. Luckily the feckless Saudi youths he was teaching rarely bothered to come to class so at least we don't have to worry that he shared much of his terrible English grammar with them.
The four stars are strictly because I enjoyed the book and its insights. The withheld star should be at least 3 withheld stars for incredibly bad grammar, garbled idioms, and unclear writing. Some university in Michigan awarded this man an English degree and he dishonors that degree repeatedly with sentences like "I would have went anyway..." I read the paperback, so there's no blaming the ebook for this. Luckily the feckless Saudi youths he was teaching rarely bothered to come to class so at least we don't have to worry that he shared much of his terrible English grammar with them.
June 16, 2022
3.5/5 Short and sweet. Alex Fletcher's book reads much more like a novella than a memoir with its brevity of length and style. Still, reading it gives one an experience that few people can claim. Fletcher and his wife have a unique position as foreigners not merely visiting Saudi Arabia but actually living and working there for an extended period of time. Parts of the book discuss Saudi culture, personal experiences, and Saudi understandings of Islam, though it feels as if none of these topics are covered in-depth. At the same time, I did not walk away feeling starved of information as much as whetted for more.
As an additional note, I'm curious as laws are rapidly changing in Saudi Arabia. While I doubt that many things have changed, it makes me curious as to how the country will continue to change in the future as well as how it is now.
As an additional note, I'm curious as laws are rapidly changing in Saudi Arabia. While I doubt that many things have changed, it makes me curious as to how the country will continue to change in the future as well as how it is now.
October 11, 2021
While this book could use some editing, it's an interesting glimpse into the life of an ESL teacher who goes to Saudi Arabia. This book was written by a couple who lived in Saudi Arabia for a year. It also seems to have been written before the wildness of political correctness took off, because they actually have the audacity to criticize Saudi culture openly and directly. Of course, it's imperative that we look at other cultures with a critical eye but many people are hesitant to do so in today's times of cancel culture. I feel the ordeal the authors went through was quite harrowing, although it could have been much worse for them. I am pleased they made the decision to leave and to write about their experiences openly and honestly.
August 14, 2024
The prologue claims the book will refrain from judgement and allow the reader to form their own conclusions, but this turns out to be false advertising. Most pages drip with prejudice and naivety. The mentioning of names they claim sound like terrorists, and descriptions of odours and smells in particular reek of overt racism.
No country or culture is perfect, and while some critiques may have merit, the fact the authors are from America, which currently wages war more than any other nation on Earth, while supporting regimes that violate human rights and perpetrate war crimes, makes their somewhat one-sided heavy-handed judgements pretty hollow.
No country or culture is perfect, and while some critiques may have merit, the fact the authors are from America, which currently wages war more than any other nation on Earth, while supporting regimes that violate human rights and perpetrate war crimes, makes their somewhat one-sided heavy-handed judgements pretty hollow.
September 7, 2020
Fletcher does a good job of explaining the cultural challenges of living in a country different than the one he is from. Although he and his wife are there to teach English, he does not include a lot of details about his classroom experiences and interactions with his students. The book definitely should be read by any expat desiring to work and live in Saudi Arabia. It is a reminder that when in Rome do as the Romans or pay the consequences. Fletcher and his wife let dollar signs drive their decisions instead of what it important in life.
October 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book and the clarity which they explained the moral dilemma and issues they encounter in another country with different custom than ours. I found myself to be able to live over there with less struggles because most of the thing they already prohibited I don't do it anyway. I still believe that is the money is good people should give it a try and just follow the rules for a year and avoid putting themselves in unnecessary danger just for a pool and a drink. Human need to learn to live with the themselves like is happening now in the covid19 era.
August 15, 2022
Saudi horror
I enjoyed creating a first hand teachers experience as I am a teacher and spent time in Syria, Lebanon and , Turkey. I had seen Saudi men in flowing white robes force women into black wool head to toe coverings in extremely hot weather. I was horrified then and first hand accounts even more so. Saudi students cheat a lot, had to cover my work in grad school from them. Wahabi is most vicious religion in existence.
I enjoyed creating a first hand teachers experience as I am a teacher and spent time in Syria, Lebanon and , Turkey. I had seen Saudi men in flowing white robes force women into black wool head to toe coverings in extremely hot weather. I was horrified then and first hand accounts even more so. Saudi students cheat a lot, had to cover my work in grad school from them. Wahabi is most vicious religion in existence.
September 25, 2023
I found this oddity on Kindle Unlimited and what a waste of time it was. Thankfully it was short.
The writers' inexperience and naivety shined through and his multiple failed attempts at humour just get embarrassing after a while.
The entire book reeks of ignorance and judgement and frankly pure stupidity. It's written from a highly ethnocentric point of view.
Do yourself a favour and never read this crap.
The writers' inexperience and naivety shined through and his multiple failed attempts at humour just get embarrassing after a while.
The entire book reeks of ignorance and judgement and frankly pure stupidity. It's written from a highly ethnocentric point of view.
Do yourself a favour and never read this crap.
January 19, 2025
Important Read
This is an important read, all the more so now, as war rages in the middle east. Things are changing in Saudi, thankfully, but it is crucial to understand the reality of the place to better appreciate how meaningful and hard-won these changes are. This book is but one account. I’d recommend that young people, especially, add this account to their understanding of the middle east.
This is an important read, all the more so now, as war rages in the middle east. Things are changing in Saudi, thankfully, but it is crucial to understand the reality of the place to better appreciate how meaningful and hard-won these changes are. This book is but one account. I’d recommend that young people, especially, add this account to their understanding of the middle east.
August 21, 2025
I found this to be a really interesting, and enlightening read. While I am not completely naive to the injustices and perils of Saudi Arabia, especially to those who are women and from certain backgrounds, I have learned and understood more in detail about just how bad it can get.
Worth a read if you are thinking about falling for the positive propaganda and suggestions about Saudi’s “changes”.
Worth a read if you are thinking about falling for the positive propaganda and suggestions about Saudi’s “changes”.
July 24, 2020
Easy read about a couple who teach English as a second language in Saudi Arabia. The book focused more on the couple's daily challenges and adjustments to life there. I had just read another book about an American who lived and worked in Saudi Arabia which went into great depth about the culture of the country. This book wasn't as detailed. I would've liked to have read more about the culture and less about all the restaurants and shopping they did.
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