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Jestem Saudyjką. Świat oczami kobiet z Arabii Saudyjskiej
Arabia Saudyjska to jeden z najbardziej tajemniczych krajów świata. Szczególnie dotyczy to życia kobiet, które dla człowieka Zachodu przedstawia tylko zbiór stereotypowych wyobrażeń.
Nicola Sutcliff postanowiła naocznie przekonać się, co kryje się za nikabem. Przez cztery lata mieszkała w Arabii Saudyjskiej, pracowała tam i widywała się z kobietami. Spotykała się ze znanymi na całym świecie saudyjskimi aktywistkami walczącymi o prawa kobiet, rozmawiała z żonami z poligamicznych rodzin, poznawała księżniczki i żyjące na pustyni Beduinki. Ze szczerych pełnych emocji rozmów wyłania się prawdziwy, zupełnie nieznany portret Saudyjki. Od religii i polityki przez problemy dnia codziennego, poligamiczne małżeństwa, niezrozumiały dla ludzi Zachodu system opiekuna prawnego aż po seksualność, rozmówczynie autorki opisują świat, który Europejczykowi wydaje się czymś obcym. To prawdziwa, inspirująca i odważna opowieść, która obala wiele stereotypów i ukazuje intymne myśli oraz szczegóły z codziennego życia kobiet w tym najbardziej intrygującym ze wszystkich krajów.
Nicola Sutcliff postanowiła naocznie przekonać się, co kryje się za nikabem. Przez cztery lata mieszkała w Arabii Saudyjskiej, pracowała tam i widywała się z kobietami. Spotykała się ze znanymi na całym świecie saudyjskimi aktywistkami walczącymi o prawa kobiet, rozmawiała z żonami z poligamicznych rodzin, poznawała księżniczki i żyjące na pustyni Beduinki. Ze szczerych pełnych emocji rozmów wyłania się prawdziwy, zupełnie nieznany portret Saudyjki. Od religii i polityki przez problemy dnia codziennego, poligamiczne małżeństwa, niezrozumiały dla ludzi Zachodu system opiekuna prawnego aż po seksualność, rozmówczynie autorki opisują świat, który Europejczykowi wydaje się czymś obcym. To prawdziwa, inspirująca i odważna opowieść, która obala wiele stereotypów i ukazuje intymne myśli oraz szczegóły z codziennego życia kobiet w tym najbardziej intrygującym ze wszystkich krajów.
464 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2019
53 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Sutcliff
3 books4 followersNicola Sutcliff is an author, researcher and educator who aims to provide a platform for the voices of women – particularly those we often talk about, but seldom listen to. She has had the privilege of working with Saudi, Roma and indigenous women in different corners of the globe. She believes sharing their experiences and wisdom make the world a richer place – as well as reminding us that we always, always have more in common than we do apart.
When she’s not interviewing or typing, she also works as a communications consultant to the UN and with a number of wonderful organisations that promote educational opportunities for women.
When she’s not interviewing or typing, she also works as a communications consultant to the UN and with a number of wonderful organisations that promote educational opportunities for women.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 22, 2019
This fell into the trope that the author tried to avoid. I don't know why I still continue reading books written by Westerners about my country.. I should give up already but I seem to want to consume everything about us especially with the current changes happening.
So much is lost in translation and I don't think the transcribing and translating of the text was done well at all! The text and usage of language was weak and dumbed down and I don't think those women sound like that. Also, this is the most cliche and overused title ever, she tried to justify its usage in the introduction but we could have gone by with the explanation without having it as the title.
With that said, I did like reading about the older generation Saudi women whom I rarely mix with and the stories of migrants and workers. I like the story that's trying to be told not the way it was written. And on a different note, the illustrations in this book are great!
So much is lost in translation and I don't think the transcribing and translating of the text was done well at all! The text and usage of language was weak and dumbed down and I don't think those women sound like that. Also, this is the most cliche and overused title ever, she tried to justify its usage in the introduction but we could have gone by with the explanation without having it as the title.
With that said, I did like reading about the older generation Saudi women whom I rarely mix with and the stories of migrants and workers. I like the story that's trying to be told not the way it was written. And on a different note, the illustrations in this book are great!
September 2, 2019
This was a unnaturally lengthy read for me, simply because I spent so much time reflecting on each chapter and making notes about issues which seemed particularly poignant.
I loved the concept of giving Saudi women a voice, and I got more out of this book than I expected. I knew little about the experiences of Saudi women other than what I had read in the mainstream British media. This book challenged my misconceptions about life within Saudi and how women continue to push boundaries and adopt a more liberal lifestyle.
This was an excellent book for those interested in women’s studies and foreign policies.
I loved the concept of giving Saudi women a voice, and I got more out of this book than I expected. I knew little about the experiences of Saudi women other than what I had read in the mainstream British media. This book challenged my misconceptions about life within Saudi and how women continue to push boundaries and adopt a more liberal lifestyle.
This was an excellent book for those interested in women’s studies and foreign policies.
August 22, 2020
A very thought-provoking book. Quite often I feel that there are so many assumptions and pre-conceived ideas about SA, and it was extremely interesting to read so many different perspectives from the inside. It has certainly taught me not to fully follow how the nation is presented by the media. Great illustrations, the only thing is I did find it a bit repetitive, however enjoyed it nonetheless.
January 8, 2020
I think too often when people mention Saudi Arabia they already have an image in their heads. We all do it, it's something that is hard to avoid. Over the years we have been fed a steady drip-fed of all the ills this place has to offer. I don't think I can ever remember a news article mentioning anything good. But as is often the case reality is always far more complicated than fiction or for that matter what the news would have us believe. It is somewhere that I always felt I should try and learn a bit more about maybe better understand it's people and customs. Over the years I have learnt certain sections within a society give you the best glimpse into how they function. In how can I put it a more unbiased view. The biggest of which is how they treat women after all you do make up half the world's population, but are forever seeming to get the raw end of the stick.
The kingdom has without a doubt has gained a reputation for having some of the worst track records in how women are treated. We in the west see them as being kept prisoners of their religion and government. Too often the only image we have is of women draped from head to toe, only their eyes visible to the outside world. But does this really project the correct idea or is it simply a stereotype pushed on us to see them as a backward society. After all the whole country has been branded terrorists by certain governments. As you can imagine I went into this book with a whole lot of preconceived ideas. It is something I tried to push to the back of my mind and to keep my eyes open to what the truth might just be.
In many ways, this is a beautiful book showing a wide cross-section of women living in a modern Saudi Arabia. It struck me that Sutcliff had done her best to traverse the landscape in search of many different voices. Each showing a unique view of there world. There is a vibrancy here, despite the many things holding them back they all are striving to live there own lives to the fullest. As a reader, I might not always agree with the choices they make but it is not my part to play. It strikes me that each of them is looking for the positives to shine down on them. They much like all of us are striving for a better future despite the mountain they must climb. And while there are a great many things we would see as unfair or unjust "which to be fair there are a great many" This book and author have shown me that things are moving In the last ten years or so things have moved the mountain has become a little smaller. As is mentioned in the book the Kingdom moves at its own pace and should we force our lifestyle on them all in one giant lump I would imagine the whole thing would collapse. I am sure that in the future they will get there and it will be a great day for them.
This book works as a two-fold narrative in terms of expanding my ideas of a place I have never been to. It does truly make you appreciate the freedoms we have. Too often I think we take the small things for granted. But it is always good to remember that our small might just be someone else large. It also showed me that these women have found ways to push back against a repressive regime. For some of these women, they are the suffragettes of there world fighting the good fight. They fill there lives with as much joy and happiness as they can. And for this, I have a great deal of respect for them. It is also probably best to stop thinking of it as one country with a single people. This is a land of many people and many different ideas as to how life should be lived. Sutcliff has shown me a world and people I could never have met in the real world and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
The kingdom has without a doubt has gained a reputation for having some of the worst track records in how women are treated. We in the west see them as being kept prisoners of their religion and government. Too often the only image we have is of women draped from head to toe, only their eyes visible to the outside world. But does this really project the correct idea or is it simply a stereotype pushed on us to see them as a backward society. After all the whole country has been branded terrorists by certain governments. As you can imagine I went into this book with a whole lot of preconceived ideas. It is something I tried to push to the back of my mind and to keep my eyes open to what the truth might just be.
In many ways, this is a beautiful book showing a wide cross-section of women living in a modern Saudi Arabia. It struck me that Sutcliff had done her best to traverse the landscape in search of many different voices. Each showing a unique view of there world. There is a vibrancy here, despite the many things holding them back they all are striving to live there own lives to the fullest. As a reader, I might not always agree with the choices they make but it is not my part to play. It strikes me that each of them is looking for the positives to shine down on them. They much like all of us are striving for a better future despite the mountain they must climb. And while there are a great many things we would see as unfair or unjust "which to be fair there are a great many" This book and author have shown me that things are moving In the last ten years or so things have moved the mountain has become a little smaller. As is mentioned in the book the Kingdom moves at its own pace and should we force our lifestyle on them all in one giant lump I would imagine the whole thing would collapse. I am sure that in the future they will get there and it will be a great day for them.
This book works as a two-fold narrative in terms of expanding my ideas of a place I have never been to. It does truly make you appreciate the freedoms we have. Too often I think we take the small things for granted. But it is always good to remember that our small might just be someone else large. It also showed me that these women have found ways to push back against a repressive regime. For some of these women, they are the suffragettes of there world fighting the good fight. They fill there lives with as much joy and happiness as they can. And for this, I have a great deal of respect for them. It is also probably best to stop thinking of it as one country with a single people. This is a land of many people and many different ideas as to how life should be lived. Sutcliff has shown me a world and people I could never have met in the real world and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
December 30, 2021
Ta książka miała szansę stać się moim ulubieńcem, ale z każdą kolejną wysłuchaną minutą/przeczytaną stroną denerwowało mnie ciągłe powtarzanie tych samych treści.
Doskonale rozumiem, że punkty widzenia poszczególnych rozmówczyń były zarazem różne, ale także w niektórych kwestiach do siebie zadziwiająco podobne. Nie oznacza to jednak, że po raz kolejny muszę czytać/słuchać o nadużywaniu roli opiekuna, strajku jaki miał miejsce w Arabii Saudyjskiej czy tym, że teraz nie wszyscy mężczyźni decydują się na kolejne żony. Myślę, że dało się to jakoś ładnie zredagować i nagle książka miałaby szansę stać się o 1/3 krótsza niż jest obecnie.
Autorka poruszyła wiele interesujących tematów a przeciętny czytelnik jest w stanie wyciągnąć z nich wiele dla siebie. Bohaterki tej książki są tak ciekawymi postaciami, że z zapartym tchem śledzi się ich losy, zagląda w ich umysły i patrzy na to, co chcą nam przekazać.
Książka opowiada tak naprawdę nie tylko o życiu kobiet w Arabii Saudyjskiej, ale też o postrzeganiu ich przez kobiety Zachodu czy o roli facetów w tym arabskim kraju.
Ciekawie i zaskakująco, choć tak jak wspominałam na początku przeszkadzała mi ta chaotyczność i zbędne powtórzenia. O dziwo mnie podoba się okładka, choć chyba jestem w mniejszości ;)
Doskonale rozumiem, że punkty widzenia poszczególnych rozmówczyń były zarazem różne, ale także w niektórych kwestiach do siebie zadziwiająco podobne. Nie oznacza to jednak, że po raz kolejny muszę czytać/słuchać o nadużywaniu roli opiekuna, strajku jaki miał miejsce w Arabii Saudyjskiej czy tym, że teraz nie wszyscy mężczyźni decydują się na kolejne żony. Myślę, że dało się to jakoś ładnie zredagować i nagle książka miałaby szansę stać się o 1/3 krótsza niż jest obecnie.
Autorka poruszyła wiele interesujących tematów a przeciętny czytelnik jest w stanie wyciągnąć z nich wiele dla siebie. Bohaterki tej książki są tak ciekawymi postaciami, że z zapartym tchem śledzi się ich losy, zagląda w ich umysły i patrzy na to, co chcą nam przekazać.
Książka opowiada tak naprawdę nie tylko o życiu kobiet w Arabii Saudyjskiej, ale też o postrzeganiu ich przez kobiety Zachodu czy o roli facetów w tym arabskim kraju.
Ciekawie i zaskakująco, choć tak jak wspominałam na początku przeszkadzała mi ta chaotyczność i zbędne powtórzenia. O dziwo mnie podoba się okładka, choć chyba jestem w mniejszości ;)
July 7, 2021
Solid 4, veering towards a 4.5. Nice collection of accounts from women in Saudi Arabia with some narrative from the academic who carried out the interviews. Definitely worth a read - and easy to dip in and out of.
October 15, 2019
A wonderful book and an absorbing read. I learned a lot about a country not very familiar to me. I learned to love the interviewed women and all women’s resilience, resourcefulness and support networks, born from the challenge of patriarchies everywhere.
I met the activist, the beauty salon attendant, the 100-year-old countrywoman, the Bedouin, the Filippina migrant worker, the journalist, the medical student, the princess, the devout worshipper. A variety of voices, and at the end of it, I really did find the question fetishised and often exploited by the West — to wear hijab or niqab? or not? — entirely secondary to the other pressing issues like independence from male guardianship, the need for a public transport infrastructure, the rights of non-passport holders.
What is most striking is the speed of modernisation which exists now, especially since the internet and mobile phones, side by uneasy side with tradition - which itself doesn’t date back beyond the 1970s in many cases. Women now participate in politics, are over 50% of uni students and, thanks to segregation of the sexes, of doctors and teachers. Saudis are rich (not migrant workers whom they can afford to employ). The men are expected to provide for their families so are limited to professions like medicine, law, business, engineering. Women are free to be creative; their money is their own.
I learned about internal diversity - Bedouins dismissive of city folk, country women who drive and go about independently. Women from strict Riyadh who are dismissive of Bedouins and say it is they who are backward. Jeddah on the coast which is more permissive. And stereotypes towards the West: women are thrown out of their homes when they turn 18; women need to prostitute themselves as nobody will take care of them; women are sexualised.
The family is central to Saudi life and the hospitality and warmth of homes is praised so much that I started to yearn for it.
After this book, I will never allow another flippant remark about women being oppressed because they can’t drive and wear niqab. Reality is diverse! And Nicola Sutcliff who is British lets the women speak, with all the contradictions on the page.
Each section of interviews is interspersed with chapters on the historical and cultural background.
Format: Wonderful illustrations by Merieme Mesfoui portray each woman inside and adorn the cover. The spine is quite stiff but the paper is smooth and the font large and clear. The publisher helpfully gives the font type: Perpetua.
Humbling, inspiring, horizon-enlarging.
Format:
I met the activist, the beauty salon attendant, the 100-year-old countrywoman, the Bedouin, the Filippina migrant worker, the journalist, the medical student, the princess, the devout worshipper. A variety of voices, and at the end of it, I really did find the question fetishised and often exploited by the West — to wear hijab or niqab? or not? — entirely secondary to the other pressing issues like independence from male guardianship, the need for a public transport infrastructure, the rights of non-passport holders.
What is most striking is the speed of modernisation which exists now, especially since the internet and mobile phones, side by uneasy side with tradition - which itself doesn’t date back beyond the 1970s in many cases. Women now participate in politics, are over 50% of uni students and, thanks to segregation of the sexes, of doctors and teachers. Saudis are rich (not migrant workers whom they can afford to employ). The men are expected to provide for their families so are limited to professions like medicine, law, business, engineering. Women are free to be creative; their money is their own.
I learned about internal diversity - Bedouins dismissive of city folk, country women who drive and go about independently. Women from strict Riyadh who are dismissive of Bedouins and say it is they who are backward. Jeddah on the coast which is more permissive. And stereotypes towards the West: women are thrown out of their homes when they turn 18; women need to prostitute themselves as nobody will take care of them; women are sexualised.
The family is central to Saudi life and the hospitality and warmth of homes is praised so much that I started to yearn for it.
After this book, I will never allow another flippant remark about women being oppressed because they can’t drive and wear niqab. Reality is diverse! And Nicola Sutcliff who is British lets the women speak, with all the contradictions on the page.
Each section of interviews is interspersed with chapters on the historical and cultural background.
Format: Wonderful illustrations by Merieme Mesfoui portray each woman inside and adorn the cover. The spine is quite stiff but the paper is smooth and the font large and clear. The publisher helpfully gives the font type: Perpetua.
Humbling, inspiring, horizon-enlarging.
Format:
May 2, 2024
I had a lot of expectations from this book and was excited to read a non-fiction based on the women of Saudi Arabia, a country I didn't know much about except for all the sensational things we hear in the media. The book, however, left me a little discomfited for some reason.
Through interviews of 29 women, Nicola Sutcliff attempts to enable readers to understand how life in Saudi is for women. I loved how varied the professions and sometimes backgrounds of the women were. I especially loved the brilliant illustrations/portraits of the interviewees. However, each interview seemed to revolve around certain stereotypical/sensational concepts or prejudices - the veil/niqab, the (then) driving ban, and the concept of guardianship. While it offered differing views on these polarizing issues, it seemed to sensationalise the book as a whole, going against the very thing the author wanted to stay away from.
Additionally, I found the interviews becoming a bit repetitive after a certain point and felt that the book dragged a bit too much and could have been way shorter instead. The fact that this was written by a White woman complicates things further, hence leading to some more discomfiture, especially as a lot of Saudis who read this book thought it wasn't an accurate representation of their lives and their country. A decent read with some flaws overall.
Through interviews of 29 women, Nicola Sutcliff attempts to enable readers to understand how life in Saudi is for women. I loved how varied the professions and sometimes backgrounds of the women were. I especially loved the brilliant illustrations/portraits of the interviewees. However, each interview seemed to revolve around certain stereotypical/sensational concepts or prejudices - the veil/niqab, the (then) driving ban, and the concept of guardianship. While it offered differing views on these polarizing issues, it seemed to sensationalise the book as a whole, going against the very thing the author wanted to stay away from.
Additionally, I found the interviews becoming a bit repetitive after a certain point and felt that the book dragged a bit too much and could have been way shorter instead. The fact that this was written by a White woman complicates things further, hence leading to some more discomfiture, especially as a lot of Saudis who read this book thought it wasn't an accurate representation of their lives and their country. A decent read with some flaws overall.
July 18, 2023
This book was great ! One amazing takeaway from the book was that my perspective completely changed on how i viewed women in Saudi Arabia . The book did what it seeks to do , allowing Saudi women to tell their stories and take control of their narratives through the Author having interviewed them . Experiences from these interviews women varied from women who are housewives , activists , royal figures , models truly different perspectives. This book was well-researched and informative a great read !
March 26, 2021
This is a collection of stories told by about 30 women on how their life is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The women are very diverse, from young to old, from models to tomboys, from housewives to film-makers, from natives to foreigners, from those who spent their whole lives in the Kingdom to those educated in the West. The women don't always share the same ideas of the place of women and what they should and shouldn't be allowed to do. You do get a sense of the diversity of people and views across the country.
Saudi Arabia is a young nation with a long history. Most women are hopeful for the future and we can believe that the future is being built by the young generation of Saudis.
This deserves 5 stars because the research is done well, the stories are interesting, they resonate and although locals consider it all superficial, I feel it is an excellent start for people outside the country to get a feel for the situation in the nation.
Saudi Arabia is a young nation with a long history. Most women are hopeful for the future and we can believe that the future is being built by the young generation of Saudis.
This deserves 5 stars because the research is done well, the stories are interesting, they resonate and although locals consider it all superficial, I feel it is an excellent start for people outside the country to get a feel for the situation in the nation.
January 28, 2020
Overall an interesting read.
Found it objectively written, although maybe meaning was lost in translation. Was engaging and easy to digest.
I am not an Arab woman so can no way comment on accuracy of stories, however, each chapter was thought-provoking. Through each woman’s stories, the book highlighted the multi-faceted nature of womanhood, ideas of what it means to be a woman and intersectionalities involved.
Found it objectively written, although maybe meaning was lost in translation. Was engaging and easy to digest.
I am not an Arab woman so can no way comment on accuracy of stories, however, each chapter was thought-provoking. Through each woman’s stories, the book highlighted the multi-faceted nature of womanhood, ideas of what it means to be a woman and intersectionalities involved.
August 14, 2022
a very eye-opening look into the lives of saudi women from every facet of society. from royalty to bedouin, doctors to stay-at-home mothers, this book does a great job of creating a spectrum from which we can reorient our views on the lives of saudi families, and women in particular
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June 26, 2019*Undecided
August 8, 2020
4 stars
Queens of the Kingdom is a compilation of interviews from women of all walks of life living in Saudi Arabia; peppered with observational chapters by author Nicola Sutcliff.
Collated by Sutcliff during her time living in the general population of Saudi Arabia (rather than in an expat compound) and teaching at an female university between 2014 and 2017; its an exceptionally interesting insight into the hopes, dreams and worries of women living in a country that is often misunderstood by the West and which is on the cusp of great change.
The women who feature in the book include a princess, a Bedouin, a journalist, a runway, a mountain woman, a teacher, a security guard, a footballer, a first wife, a doctor, a engineer, a prisoner, a model, a shopgirl, a housewife and a cleaner; plus many more. These women are young and old; illiterate and tertiary educated; married and divorced; nationals and non nationals; but no matter what they were, they were all strong in their convictions and forthright in their opinions.
I found Queens of the Kingdom an exceptionally interesting read. The questions that the interviews were comprised of were clearly well thought out and considered; hence the answers coming across as sincere and passionate about the interviewee’s life and beliefs. I enjoyed the wide variety of responses and conflicting opinions on topics such as arranged marriages, being able to drive, having a guardian, muttawahs and covering up one’s hair and face. I also thought the inclusion of expats and domestic help added to the voices that featured in the book and gave a more holistic account of female life in the Kingdom.
I wasn’t originally sure about the inclusion of the chapters by Sutcliff herself; as I wanted to hear more from the women themselves. However, I soon enjoyed the context they provided.
This is a book I highly recommend for something different. Whether you are interested in women’s studies, other cultures and religions, Saudi Arabia, non-fiction books or just learning something new, then you’ll benefit from and enjoy. There are certainly many parts that will leave you thinking about them afterwards, but I think the following observation is something we’d all die well to remember:
“I’m more than willing to explain, but I do object to being bombarded with accusations and insults; or the assumption that the system that works well in one country can be nearly imposed in Saudi Arabia, without taking any of our differences - religious, traditional - into consideration...There is no one society in the world that is so exemplary and trouble-free that it’s model and value system should be universally imposed on other societies.” (p 264)
Queens of the Kingdom is my sixteenth read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Nonfiction and not a memoir’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
Queens of the Kingdom is a compilation of interviews from women of all walks of life living in Saudi Arabia; peppered with observational chapters by author Nicola Sutcliff.
Collated by Sutcliff during her time living in the general population of Saudi Arabia (rather than in an expat compound) and teaching at an female university between 2014 and 2017; its an exceptionally interesting insight into the hopes, dreams and worries of women living in a country that is often misunderstood by the West and which is on the cusp of great change.
The women who feature in the book include a princess, a Bedouin, a journalist, a runway, a mountain woman, a teacher, a security guard, a footballer, a first wife, a doctor, a engineer, a prisoner, a model, a shopgirl, a housewife and a cleaner; plus many more. These women are young and old; illiterate and tertiary educated; married and divorced; nationals and non nationals; but no matter what they were, they were all strong in their convictions and forthright in their opinions.
I found Queens of the Kingdom an exceptionally interesting read. The questions that the interviews were comprised of were clearly well thought out and considered; hence the answers coming across as sincere and passionate about the interviewee’s life and beliefs. I enjoyed the wide variety of responses and conflicting opinions on topics such as arranged marriages, being able to drive, having a guardian, muttawahs and covering up one’s hair and face. I also thought the inclusion of expats and domestic help added to the voices that featured in the book and gave a more holistic account of female life in the Kingdom.
I wasn’t originally sure about the inclusion of the chapters by Sutcliff herself; as I wanted to hear more from the women themselves. However, I soon enjoyed the context they provided.
This is a book I highly recommend for something different. Whether you are interested in women’s studies, other cultures and religions, Saudi Arabia, non-fiction books or just learning something new, then you’ll benefit from and enjoy. There are certainly many parts that will leave you thinking about them afterwards, but I think the following observation is something we’d all die well to remember:
“I’m more than willing to explain, but I do object to being bombarded with accusations and insults; or the assumption that the system that works well in one country can be nearly imposed in Saudi Arabia, without taking any of our differences - religious, traditional - into consideration...There is no one society in the world that is so exemplary and trouble-free that it’s model and value system should be universally imposed on other societies.” (p 264)
Queens of the Kingdom is my sixteenth read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Nonfiction and not a memoir’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
October 21, 2019
Queens Of The Kingdom by Nicola Sutcliff.
The book is a collection of stories and experiences of women from different backgrounds and ages in Saudi Arabia. I tried to read this book without any judgments because I have a bad history with western writers writing about Muslims and arabs. However, I retrieved some of my hope with this book.
The author did justice in writing these stories as authentically as possible, I did not feel any distortion to the way Saudi women carry themselves and their culture and religious beliefs. The testimonies -if I can call them so- of the women are enlightening, their reasons for covering their faces, the segregation between the genders and the reliance on men are all topics that can found in Islam, but after reading this books I realized that culture can play a role in highlighting their importance. The book also drives the reader's attention to the media and how stereotypes can influence our judgment on people, especially in a world where the information is easily accessible unlike actual knowledge.
The book is a collection of stories and experiences of women from different backgrounds and ages in Saudi Arabia. I tried to read this book without any judgments because I have a bad history with western writers writing about Muslims and arabs. However, I retrieved some of my hope with this book.
The author did justice in writing these stories as authentically as possible, I did not feel any distortion to the way Saudi women carry themselves and their culture and religious beliefs. The testimonies -if I can call them so- of the women are enlightening, their reasons for covering their faces, the segregation between the genders and the reliance on men are all topics that can found in Islam, but after reading this books I realized that culture can play a role in highlighting their importance. The book also drives the reader's attention to the media and how stereotypes can influence our judgment on people, especially in a world where the information is easily accessible unlike actual knowledge.
January 18, 2022
"Kiedy widzę jak przedstawia się Saudyjki za granicą, to są to zawsze biedne kobiety, które siedzą na podłodze całe pookrywane albo ewentualnie występują na pustyni w towarzystwie wielbłąda! Wydaje im się, że jesteśmy nieszczęśliwe, że nie mamy żadnych praw, że jesteśmy narodem uwięzionych w domu gospodyń domowych skazanych na gotowanie.
Chciałabym, aby ludzie za granicą wiedzieli, że jesteśmy bardzo szczęśliwe!"
"Pozwólmy ludziom żyć tak, jak chcą. Najważniejsze to zachować otwartość, akceptować innych i dzielące nas różnice."
Po przeczytaniu tej książki jedno wiem na pewno. Nic nie jest czarne ani białe, a te same kwestie obserwowane innymi oczyma mogą wyglądać zupełnie inaczej.
Ja nie mogłabym tak żyć, co nie znaczy że one nie mogą być w takim życiu szczęśliwe - mogą, choć jednocześnie nie muszą i mają prawo by pragnąć więcej.
🖤
Samą książkę czytało mi się dość ciężko. Nie jest to pozycja doskonała pod każdym względem.
Chociaż niewątpliwie otwiera ona na oczy i zmienia sposób myślenia, nie mogę zagwarantować rzetelności zawartych w niej treści, ale polecam!
Chciałabym, aby ludzie za granicą wiedzieli, że jesteśmy bardzo szczęśliwe!"
"Pozwólmy ludziom żyć tak, jak chcą. Najważniejsze to zachować otwartość, akceptować innych i dzielące nas różnice."
Po przeczytaniu tej książki jedno wiem na pewno. Nic nie jest czarne ani białe, a te same kwestie obserwowane innymi oczyma mogą wyglądać zupełnie inaczej.
Ja nie mogłabym tak żyć, co nie znaczy że one nie mogą być w takim życiu szczęśliwe - mogą, choć jednocześnie nie muszą i mają prawo by pragnąć więcej.
🖤
Samą książkę czytało mi się dość ciężko. Nie jest to pozycja doskonała pod każdym względem.
Chociaż niewątpliwie otwiera ona na oczy i zmienia sposób myślenia, nie mogę zagwarantować rzetelności zawartych w niej treści, ale polecam!
May 8, 2020
This is a wonderfully thought-provoking glimpse into the lives, the minds and the realities of women living in Saudi Arabia.
Sutcliff interviews a hugely diverse array of women - from princesses to cleaners; from 15 year olds to 80 year olds; from housewives to engineers; from students to prisoners...each ‘chapter’ consisting of their accounts in their own (translated) words. Between each section, there’s an essay of sorts about the history, the politics and the culture of the country.
It’s obvious, but what struck me was the sheer diversity of thought - focused specifically on the abaya, the niqab, and the whole experience of guardianship. I think the narratives we tend to stumble upon in the West can be so absolutist and without nuance, so it was refreshing to read the spectrum of opinion all in one sitting.
Highly recommend.
Sutcliff interviews a hugely diverse array of women - from princesses to cleaners; from 15 year olds to 80 year olds; from housewives to engineers; from students to prisoners...each ‘chapter’ consisting of their accounts in their own (translated) words. Between each section, there’s an essay of sorts about the history, the politics and the culture of the country.
It’s obvious, but what struck me was the sheer diversity of thought - focused specifically on the abaya, the niqab, and the whole experience of guardianship. I think the narratives we tend to stumble upon in the West can be so absolutist and without nuance, so it was refreshing to read the spectrum of opinion all in one sitting.
Highly recommend.
July 26, 2025
Mocno obiektywne spojrzenie na ten świat, autorka pozostaje poza oceną oddając pole swoim rozmówczynią. Niestety widać skąd pojawiają się takie różnice w postrzeganiu ich świata. Starsi i zamożni nie mają problemu z takim układem, osoby pochodzące z biedniejszych rodzin, zmuszone do walki o swoje pragną zmian. Mimo wszystko otwiera oczy na wiele spraw i zmienia podejście do wykreowanych w naszych głowach stereotypów.
July 1, 2019
The author did an amazing job of capturing and sharing a wide range of stories and experiences of the women born and living in Saudi Arabia. It was a quick and cool read, especially for a western woman. Enjoyed it
October 13, 2022
I know ratings are mixed for this, but I think I learned a lot, and was surprised in many ways by the testimonies written in the book.
April 28, 2021
"Jestem Saudyjką" to niezwykle ciekawa i wyjątkowa pozycja - głównie dlatego, że naprawdę przedstawia "świat oczami kobiet z Arabii Saudyjskiej", jak informuje nas podtytuł. Na książkę składają się w większości wywiady z mieszkankami kraju, w niektórych miejscach uzupełnione rozdziałami opisującymi i wyjaśniającymi pewne aspekty historii i kultury. Co prawda Sutcliff już we wstępie informuje nas, że jej książka ma konkretny przekaz - Saudyjki nie są słabymi, zniewolonymi istotami, na jakie kreują je zachodnie media - jednak w kolejnych rozdziałach nie wspomina o swoich odczuciach ani przemyśleniach (chociaż muszę przyznać, że momentami sam sposób, w jaki przedstawia historie wydaje się... lekko stronniczy). Zamiast tego oddaje głos bohaterkom, które mówią zarówno o dobrych, jak i złych aspektach swojego życia.
Autorka przedstawia nam cały przekrój damskiej części saudyjskiego społeczeństwa, kobiety o przeróżnych poglądach oraz doświadczeniach - starsze (w pierwszym rozdziale poznajemy historię stulatki!) i młodsze, wykształcone i niepotrafiące czytać ani pisać, zajmujące wysokie stanowiska i opiekujące się domem, rodowite Saudyjki i imigrantki. Dzięki temu lektura przedstawia problem ze znacznie szerszej perspektywy, a także zmusza do przemyśleń i refleksji.
Z jednej strony ogromny szok wzbudza to, jak bardzo mentalność saudyjskich kobiet rożni się od naszej. Dla nich samo pojęcie wolności ma inną definicję niż dla nas! Często można odnieść wrażenie, że zaprzeczają same sobie. Czasami bagatelizują przerażające wydarzenia i zachowania mężczyzn, które dla nas byłyby zupełnie nie do pomyślenia. Czasem same umniejszają swoją wartość. Z drugiej strony wiele z nich mówi o potrzebie zmian, angażuje się w walkę o swoje prawa i kreowanie nowego, lepszego państwa.
Równie ciekawym przeżyciem było spojrzenie na nas i naszą kulturę oczami Saudyjek. W końcu to nie jest jednostronna relacja - my możemy czytać o nich, ale one też poznają różne stereotypy na temat Zachodu (i te historie także mogą być mocno przesadzone).
Książka Sutcliff otwiera oczy na jeszcze jeden istotny aspekt - nierówność płci jest widoczna na całym świecie. Na zachodzie wmawia nam się, że kobiety są wolne i panuje cudowne równouprawnienie, a dla porównania pokazuje Arabki, które są uciśnione i ubezwłasnowolnione. A tutaj proszę:
"W Arabii Saudyjskiej jesteśmy dehumanizowane, ale nie uprzedmiotowiane seksualnie" (w przeciwieństwie do kobiet w krajach zachodnich) - powiedziała pewna saudyjska producentka filmowa, która studiowała w Stanach. A to tylko jeden z cytatów, z którym nie można się nie zgodzić.
Jedyną rzeczą, która mnie w tej pozycji zawiodła, była niekonsekwencja w stosowaniu feminatywów. Tytułem każdego rozdziału jest jedno słowo, opisujące przedstawianą w nim kobietę. Znajdziemy tu więc projektantkę, lekarkę, a nawet piłkarkę. Niestety pojawia się też polityk, inżynier i adwokat, podczas gdy w książce o silnych kobietach zdecydowanie wolałabym czytać o polityczce, inżynierce i adwokatce.
Bardzo cieszę się, że trafiłam na tę pozycję. Dotąd moje wyobrażenie o kobietach z krajów arabskich pokrywało się w dużej mierze z najbardziej znanymi, smutnymi historiami o braku jakichkolwiek praw, a teksty, po jakie sięgałam, jedynie utwierdzały mnie w tym przekonaniu. Co prawda "Jestem Saudyjką" nie zmieniła całkowicie mojego postrzegania Wschodu i krzywdzącego traktowania kobiet (niektóre przytoczone tu fakty są naprawdę przerażające!), pozwoliła jednak poszerzyć perspektywę, spojrzeć na wszystko z innej strony i dużo lepiej zrozumieć wschodnią mentalność. A także dowiedzieć się wielu nowych, interesujących rzeczy!
Autorka przedstawia nam cały przekrój damskiej części saudyjskiego społeczeństwa, kobiety o przeróżnych poglądach oraz doświadczeniach - starsze (w pierwszym rozdziale poznajemy historię stulatki!) i młodsze, wykształcone i niepotrafiące czytać ani pisać, zajmujące wysokie stanowiska i opiekujące się domem, rodowite Saudyjki i imigrantki. Dzięki temu lektura przedstawia problem ze znacznie szerszej perspektywy, a także zmusza do przemyśleń i refleksji.
Z jednej strony ogromny szok wzbudza to, jak bardzo mentalność saudyjskich kobiet rożni się od naszej. Dla nich samo pojęcie wolności ma inną definicję niż dla nas! Często można odnieść wrażenie, że zaprzeczają same sobie. Czasami bagatelizują przerażające wydarzenia i zachowania mężczyzn, które dla nas byłyby zupełnie nie do pomyślenia. Czasem same umniejszają swoją wartość. Z drugiej strony wiele z nich mówi o potrzebie zmian, angażuje się w walkę o swoje prawa i kreowanie nowego, lepszego państwa.
Równie ciekawym przeżyciem było spojrzenie na nas i naszą kulturę oczami Saudyjek. W końcu to nie jest jednostronna relacja - my możemy czytać o nich, ale one też poznają różne stereotypy na temat Zachodu (i te historie także mogą być mocno przesadzone).
Książka Sutcliff otwiera oczy na jeszcze jeden istotny aspekt - nierówność płci jest widoczna na całym świecie. Na zachodzie wmawia nam się, że kobiety są wolne i panuje cudowne równouprawnienie, a dla porównania pokazuje Arabki, które są uciśnione i ubezwłasnowolnione. A tutaj proszę:
"W Arabii Saudyjskiej jesteśmy dehumanizowane, ale nie uprzedmiotowiane seksualnie" (w przeciwieństwie do kobiet w krajach zachodnich) - powiedziała pewna saudyjska producentka filmowa, która studiowała w Stanach. A to tylko jeden z cytatów, z którym nie można się nie zgodzić.
Jedyną rzeczą, która mnie w tej pozycji zawiodła, była niekonsekwencja w stosowaniu feminatywów. Tytułem każdego rozdziału jest jedno słowo, opisujące przedstawianą w nim kobietę. Znajdziemy tu więc projektantkę, lekarkę, a nawet piłkarkę. Niestety pojawia się też polityk, inżynier i adwokat, podczas gdy w książce o silnych kobietach zdecydowanie wolałabym czytać o polityczce, inżynierce i adwokatce.
Bardzo cieszę się, że trafiłam na tę pozycję. Dotąd moje wyobrażenie o kobietach z krajów arabskich pokrywało się w dużej mierze z najbardziej znanymi, smutnymi historiami o braku jakichkolwiek praw, a teksty, po jakie sięgałam, jedynie utwierdzały mnie w tym przekonaniu. Co prawda "Jestem Saudyjką" nie zmieniła całkowicie mojego postrzegania Wschodu i krzywdzącego traktowania kobiet (niektóre przytoczone tu fakty są naprawdę przerażające!), pozwoliła jednak poszerzyć perspektywę, spojrzeć na wszystko z innej strony i dużo lepiej zrozumieć wschodnią mentalność. A także dowiedzieć się wielu nowych, interesujących rzeczy!
July 10, 2021
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about Saudi Arabia and experience a wonderfully wide range of Saudi women's perspectives on their country, its culture, and contemporary social issues - especially compared and contrasted with their perceptions of Western culture and Western media's views of their own.
Nicola Sutcliffe lived in Saudi Arabia for four years between 2014-2017, teaching at a women's university and interviewing Saudi women of varying ages and socioeconomic backgrounds with the aim of raising Saudi women's voices to a western audience likely ignorant of a country that is intensely private in ways both political and cultural. These years of interviews were condensed into 29 chapters highlighting individual women and 8 chapters that give summary overviews of Saudi Arabian history and society regarding women's rights movements, women's education, women's health, dating and marriage, and changing policies and demographics. This book reads like a crash course and a series of conversations. It can be read quickly, but may take time to digest.
In the chapters based on interviews, each woman is described briefly (age, occupation, hometown, a few personal details) and what follows are her responses to questions of her background, her experiences, and her views on (westerners') hot button topics: arranged marriage, male guardianship laws, hijab, driving (legalized for women in 2018 just before publication), their thoughts on Saudi's human rights issues, the future of Saudi Arabia, and other cultural observations, often concluding with a lighthearted hypothetical question - "What would you do if you were a man for a day?" or "What if women ruled the world?" The range of voices was a clear priority for Sutcliffe - differences in age and attitude, background and beliefs give the book breadth and depth - no society is a monolith, and people are complex. Sutcliffe interviewed elderly Bedouin (nomadic) women, young university students, entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, artists, rights activists, even marginalized women including a refugee, a domestic worker, and one who is gender-nonconforming (transgender was not exactly how the interviewee self-identified). The book includes voices of women who are content and conflicted, devout and rebellious, naive and insightful. What seems to generally unite these perspectives is a sense of national pride and an optimistic outlook for the future of the country - many feel the country is changing for the better as long as they keep the grounding in values they still cherish, particularly of family and religion.
As someone who has worked with Saudi students and colleagues over the past few years and has had the privilege of briefly working in the country, this book not only rang true of what I'd heard and experienced before, but also taught me more of what I'd wished to know, and I found myself missing those years and the people I met. I found this book to be sincere, sensitive, and inspiring.
Nicola Sutcliffe lived in Saudi Arabia for four years between 2014-2017, teaching at a women's university and interviewing Saudi women of varying ages and socioeconomic backgrounds with the aim of raising Saudi women's voices to a western audience likely ignorant of a country that is intensely private in ways both political and cultural. These years of interviews were condensed into 29 chapters highlighting individual women and 8 chapters that give summary overviews of Saudi Arabian history and society regarding women's rights movements, women's education, women's health, dating and marriage, and changing policies and demographics. This book reads like a crash course and a series of conversations. It can be read quickly, but may take time to digest.
In the chapters based on interviews, each woman is described briefly (age, occupation, hometown, a few personal details) and what follows are her responses to questions of her background, her experiences, and her views on (westerners') hot button topics: arranged marriage, male guardianship laws, hijab, driving (legalized for women in 2018 just before publication), their thoughts on Saudi's human rights issues, the future of Saudi Arabia, and other cultural observations, often concluding with a lighthearted hypothetical question - "What would you do if you were a man for a day?" or "What if women ruled the world?" The range of voices was a clear priority for Sutcliffe - differences in age and attitude, background and beliefs give the book breadth and depth - no society is a monolith, and people are complex. Sutcliffe interviewed elderly Bedouin (nomadic) women, young university students, entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, artists, rights activists, even marginalized women including a refugee, a domestic worker, and one who is gender-nonconforming (transgender was not exactly how the interviewee self-identified). The book includes voices of women who are content and conflicted, devout and rebellious, naive and insightful. What seems to generally unite these perspectives is a sense of national pride and an optimistic outlook for the future of the country - many feel the country is changing for the better as long as they keep the grounding in values they still cherish, particularly of family and religion.
As someone who has worked with Saudi students and colleagues over the past few years and has had the privilege of briefly working in the country, this book not only rang true of what I'd heard and experienced before, but also taught me more of what I'd wished to know, and I found myself missing those years and the people I met. I found this book to be sincere, sensitive, and inspiring.
March 18, 2022
Went into this skeptical of how much a book of Saudi women's life stories depicted through a white, Western feminist lens could offer, but this book really challenged so many of my assumptions and it was a pleasure to listen to these women speak of the challenges and opportunities in their daily lives.
I particularly enjoyed learning about the experiences of bedouin grandmothers who have seen the kingdom change so much over the past 80+ years, the cultural vs religious origins of the niqab and the mahram 'guardian' system, the young women exploring the limits imposed on their gender and sexuality via the 'boyat' phenomenon, Loujain Alhathoul's powerful activism, and the experiences of the first women to sit on the Shura council.
I was also fascinated by how the decline in Saudi Arabia's oil wealth has lead to the sphere of work opening up to women like never before, a trend which I know has continued to skyrocket since this book was published in 2019 (one notable example I've seen in the news recently was of 28,000 Saudi women applying for just 30 train driver vacancies!)
I really appreciated that Sutcliff made sure to shine a spotlight on the struggles of the many Asian and African migrant women in low paid domestic service roles propping up the Saudi economy, and how this compares to the unbelievable privilege of female Western workers hopping from compound to office who might as well live on another planet to Saudi women and foreign domestic workers living in the kingdom under kafala sponsorship.
Overall I found this book truly eye-opening in spite of its author's admitted limitations.
I particularly enjoyed learning about the experiences of bedouin grandmothers who have seen the kingdom change so much over the past 80+ years, the cultural vs religious origins of the niqab and the mahram 'guardian' system, the young women exploring the limits imposed on their gender and sexuality via the 'boyat' phenomenon, Loujain Alhathoul's powerful activism, and the experiences of the first women to sit on the Shura council.
I was also fascinated by how the decline in Saudi Arabia's oil wealth has lead to the sphere of work opening up to women like never before, a trend which I know has continued to skyrocket since this book was published in 2019 (one notable example I've seen in the news recently was of 28,000 Saudi women applying for just 30 train driver vacancies!)
I really appreciated that Sutcliff made sure to shine a spotlight on the struggles of the many Asian and African migrant women in low paid domestic service roles propping up the Saudi economy, and how this compares to the unbelievable privilege of female Western workers hopping from compound to office who might as well live on another planet to Saudi women and foreign domestic workers living in the kingdom under kafala sponsorship.
Overall I found this book truly eye-opening in spite of its author's admitted limitations.
October 10, 2020
The voices of Saudi Arabia are heralded from women of all types of backgrounds and statuses.
A platform that allows them to be heard, as life in general in Saudi doesn’t allows women to be seen or heard in public.
Ignorance is rife between our cultures and this type of book is the conduit that will link respect and understanding between our lives and beliefs.
A book can be the eyes and ears of the world, bringing the heart beat and anxieties of citizens to its pages.
It will evoke empathy, frustration and reveal true thoughts.
Every single account was fascinating and helped me unveil the mysteries and misconceptions I had of this country with its strict and male favoured laws and practices.
It also confirmed my belief that racism is rife everywhere in the world and respect for the international labour force less than desirable.
But I was reassured that the future looks brighter as women want a better life for their daughters and won’t subject them to harsh regimes they endured.
Thank you to KT Elder for bringing this great book to my attention and sending me her copy to read.
I feel enlightened and turned the pages eagerly absorbing its content.
A platform that allows them to be heard, as life in general in Saudi doesn’t allows women to be seen or heard in public.
Ignorance is rife between our cultures and this type of book is the conduit that will link respect and understanding between our lives and beliefs.
A book can be the eyes and ears of the world, bringing the heart beat and anxieties of citizens to its pages.
It will evoke empathy, frustration and reveal true thoughts.
Every single account was fascinating and helped me unveil the mysteries and misconceptions I had of this country with its strict and male favoured laws and practices.
It also confirmed my belief that racism is rife everywhere in the world and respect for the international labour force less than desirable.
But I was reassured that the future looks brighter as women want a better life for their daughters and won’t subject them to harsh regimes they endured.
Thank you to KT Elder for bringing this great book to my attention and sending me her copy to read.
I feel enlightened and turned the pages eagerly absorbing its content.
April 8, 2023
Bardzo ciekawa książka, pozwalająca spojrzeć na Arabię Saudyjską z nieco innej perspektywy. Zdecydowanym plusem są piękne ilustracje - po jednej przy każdym z wywiadów. Brakowało trochę lepszej warstwy merytorycznej, szczególnie jeżeli chodzi o samo tło historyczne. Większość wydarzeń trzeba samemu sobie poskładać na podstawie drobnych wzmianek w historiach rozmówczyń.
Zaletą książki jest to, że daje głos osobom o bardzo zróżnicowanym statusie ekonomicznym i doświadczeniach. Szczególnie ciekawe były odniesienia do zakazu prowadzenia samochodów przez kobiety i wyraźne uwypuklenie, że nie w każdej z saudyjek budzi to sprzeciw. Dużym plusem było danie głosu emigrantkom, postawionym często w wyjątkowo słabej sytuacji ekonomicznej.
Autorce udało się w dużej mierze odczarować obraz nieszczęśliwych, zamkniętych w domach Saudyjek znikających pod abajami. Niestety nadal było wyraźnie czuć zachodnią perspektywę rzutującą na wydźwięk całej książki. Mimo wszystko uważam, że jest to krok w dobrą stronę w kwestii wzajemnego zrozumienia świata zachodniego z muzułmańskim.
Zaletą książki jest to, że daje głos osobom o bardzo zróżnicowanym statusie ekonomicznym i doświadczeniach. Szczególnie ciekawe były odniesienia do zakazu prowadzenia samochodów przez kobiety i wyraźne uwypuklenie, że nie w każdej z saudyjek budzi to sprzeciw. Dużym plusem było danie głosu emigrantkom, postawionym często w wyjątkowo słabej sytuacji ekonomicznej.
Autorce udało się w dużej mierze odczarować obraz nieszczęśliwych, zamkniętych w domach Saudyjek znikających pod abajami. Niestety nadal było wyraźnie czuć zachodnią perspektywę rzutującą na wydźwięk całej książki. Mimo wszystko uważam, że jest to krok w dobrą stronę w kwestii wzajemnego zrozumienia świata zachodniego z muzułmańskim.
November 4, 2024
This book could be so interesting if it wasn’t for the awful form it was put in. It was very hard to read the book because these short paraghraphs weren’t connected at all. Very lazy writing. And what’s with this titles? Is it really necessary to „give a title” for every short paragraph?
Secondly, I read the same info all over again only in different phrases. It seemed that the autor was giving the same questions for every women? Insted of actually focusing on the deeper aspects of life, she was only scratching the surface. And it’s funny because it was mentioned so many times by the saudi women that they don’t want to be pictured as the country that doesn’t let their women drive, but meanwhile that was exactly what happened in this book. Info about the driving licence was mentioned in every second page.
I’m not usually this harsh on reviews, but this one was simply dissapointing. The fact that I couldn’t stand the very last hundred pages says a lot. Do not recommend.
Secondly, I read the same info all over again only in different phrases. It seemed that the autor was giving the same questions for every women? Insted of actually focusing on the deeper aspects of life, she was only scratching the surface. And it’s funny because it was mentioned so many times by the saudi women that they don’t want to be pictured as the country that doesn’t let their women drive, but meanwhile that was exactly what happened in this book. Info about the driving licence was mentioned in every second page.
I’m not usually this harsh on reviews, but this one was simply dissapointing. The fact that I couldn’t stand the very last hundred pages says a lot. Do not recommend.
January 15, 2023
this book is a great insight into Saudi Arabia the different life styles of the women that live there and there accounts of there daily lives and of course i want to thank all the women for talking and giving there truth in this book and speaking up and out and as a western man i have to be care full about my idea About what freedom for all women around the world is what that looks like because every women is unique and you get a different answer from each one we can learn a little from the east with there stricter rules my be were to loose in the west thats a debate we should all have some time in the future this book is great unique read and i can not wait for Author next installment if she chooses to write another book in the future
March 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! I knew very little of Saudi Arabia when I started reading and am often very hesitant to believe the good or the bad from outsiders and that’s why I loved this book so much. It was directly from the women of Saudi Arabia, taking about their thoughts, feelings and experiences. I like the diverse range of perspectives. This book got me thinking about life as a women in different places and really humanized these amazing women. I would highly suggest to anyone who wants to better understand people from different countries/cultures/religions with all the information directly from these people. (Also the narration of the audiobook was great)
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