It took me more than one month to finish the book.
The book is a very deep one, with alot of dense ideas that needs slow and careful reading in order to digest them fairly (specially for some one who is a beginner in philosophy like me).
There is no doubt that the critical methodology of the writer is very appealing and deserves alot of appreciation. The writer tries to re-read the Islamic heritage of knowledge fourteen centuries later in a feminist critical eye. She tries to re-read in specific the concept of 'Hijab' and tries to connect it to different incarnations of power relationships in different forms, like men-women relationships, matrimonial provisions, the role of military victories in the life of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the provisions and history of slavery and the slaves of both genders.
It is worth mentioning that the writer shows alot of bias towards every thing feminine, and against every thing in favor of males. However, this is understandable from a passionate ideologist that believes in her cause, and that is driven to counter the male bias.
Another bias that I saw in the book was against Omar, may Allah be pleased with him. The writer seemed very passionate to assign him as the head of the male resistance to the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him's egalitarian project, although history mentions alot of examples that show how Omar was respectful of women and did not look at them with the eye of the male power monopolist. During his reign, he has appointed a female companion, Al Shifa'a bint Abdellah, as the market supervisor, or what was known as 'Qadi Al Hisbah'. Also, a famous incident mentions a man approaching Omar as a Caliph in order to complain about his wife's constant screaming at him, to find that the Caliph's wife shouts at him with the same high voice. However, Omar justifies this on her behalf by saying that in return of all of the effort she does to serve him she has the right to be overlooked when she screams some times.
This is the only book I have read for Fatima Mernissi, and to be honest, the titles of some of her other books do not seem very appealing to me.
However, regarding this book in specific, I highly recommend it for intelligent religious mind that can find the balance between their critical minds and their commitment to what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala wants from us.