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3.5 stars.
As expected, this was a difficult read. Firdaus’ life is composed of a series of events rooted in misogyny that reduce her to a sexual object, whether it is the sexual abuse she faces as a child and later on during her marriage to a much older man or at the hands of unknown men in Cairo. She is eventually “rescued” by a woman who pushes her into a life of prostitution. There are fleeting moments in Firdaus’ life where she exercises agency but they never last until the final and catacly ...more
As expected, this was a difficult read. Firdaus’ life is composed of a series of events rooted in misogyny that reduce her to a sexual object, whether it is the sexual abuse she faces as a child and later on during her marriage to a much older man or at the hands of unknown men in Cairo. She is eventually “rescued” by a woman who pushes her into a life of prostitution. There are fleeting moments in Firdaus’ life where she exercises agency but they never last until the final and catacly ...more
All of us are prostitutes. We take money for doing things we don’t really want to do to please society. A vanishingly small number of us have the courage of the protagonist of this novel: To face this ugly fact head-on, and find a way to use that very ugliness to free ourselves of our slavery.
This book flays away the self-delusion of society. Through the life of a young Egyptian woman born into poverty it exposes the hypocrisies and oppressions that surround humans constantly. Since this work c ...more
This book flays away the self-delusion of society. Through the life of a young Egyptian woman born into poverty it exposes the hypocrisies and oppressions that surround humans constantly. Since this work c ...more
“ I only arrived at the savage, primitive truths of life after years of struggle. For it is only very rarely that people can arrive at the simple, but awesome and powerful truths of life after only a few years. And to have arrived at the truth means that one no longer fears death. For death and truth are similar in that they both require a great courage if one wishes to face them. And truth is like death in that it kills. When I killed I did it with truth not with a knife”
Stunning writing, such ...more
Stunning writing, such ...more
4.25
Women at Point Zero takes a bold and radical stance, diverging from the prevalent Afro-feminist theories of the 1970s. The author compellingly illustrates how the concept of "choice" can often be an illusion, particularly for those marginalized by gender and class. Firdaus' story vividly underscores this, especially in the poignant moment where she reflects on her secondary school certificate—a supposed key to opportunity that ultimately reveals the harsh limitations imposed on her. The boo ...more
Women at Point Zero takes a bold and radical stance, diverging from the prevalent Afro-feminist theories of the 1970s. The author compellingly illustrates how the concept of "choice" can often be an illusion, particularly for those marginalized by gender and class. Firdaus' story vividly underscores this, especially in the poignant moment where she reflects on her secondary school certificate—a supposed key to opportunity that ultimately reveals the harsh limitations imposed on her. The boo ...more
Mar 08, 2021
Sammi
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3.5
“They said, “You are a savage and dangerous woman.”
I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous.”
While I rate it 3.5 I'm feeling a little bad because it's really good and probably deserves a higher rating but I'm still feeling compelled to keep it at 3.5
Translated fiction - Arabic: Egypt. Read for Boxall's 1001 books to read before you die list.
This story follows Firdaus a peasant woman, who after a series of unfortunate events, ends up as a prostitute. She is telling her t ...more
“They said, “You are a savage and dangerous woman.”
I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous.”
While I rate it 3.5 I'm feeling a little bad because it's really good and probably deserves a higher rating but I'm still feeling compelled to keep it at 3.5
Translated fiction - Arabic: Egypt. Read for Boxall's 1001 books to read before you die list.
This story follows Firdaus a peasant woman, who after a series of unfortunate events, ends up as a prostitute. She is telling her t ...more
