Princess

I couldn't leave this book down.l love to get a real insight into how other women live.l had to buy the following two.You wont be disappointed.

Interesting but poorly written (0/1 people found this helpful)

I found this book to be very interesting but very poorly written. The memoir is heart-wrenching (save the Princess' clear anti-Semitism), but the writing just doesn't flow. At all. Nevertheless, I had a hard time putting it down, and read it in one sitting. And, then I read her other books, too.

Life in Saudi Arabia is awful. Life under Shari'a is awful. Life in the misogynistic Islamic society is awful. That is the thrust and truth of this book. And, although the princess is a very faithful believer-- and although she questions the lack of freedom women in her culture have-- she doesn't make the connection that is so easy for many of us here to see. Her country follows Shari'a which is mandated in the Koran. She's critical of the laws of Saudi Arabia but doesn't have the courage to critically question the foundation of those laws-- the Koran. Of course, if she did, she'd be considered blasphemous and consequently killed living over there. So, maybe SECRETLY she does. But, outwardly, she praised Islam and Allah and the Prophet just enough-- maybe in case her identity was discovered. . . which, of course, it eventually was (see follow up books).

When reading this book, keep in mind that it was written by a princess-- a woman afforded many of the luxuries and freedoms that a commoner would not have. And, STILL, she is repressed and imprisoned. She, at least, can go to New York and spend $250K in one weekend (which she does). Imagine the life of someone less privileged. Ugh. Truly hellish.

Here is a culture that okays honor killings, stonings, polygamy. Here is a culture where woman cannot leave the house without a father, brother, or husband acting as chaperone. Where she can't drive. Where she is fed anti-American and anti-Israeli propaganda from day one. Where she's at the mercy of her husband or father's whim. Where women are not appreciated as intellectual equals. Where intellectualism is discouraged, religious criticism condemned and deemed criminal.

Well, thank goodness I live in a free society founded on Judeo-Christian values. This memoir is another proof that although many cite the commonalities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, the fact is that Islam is not compatible or even favorably comparable with Christianity and Judaism (and even many Eastern religions) and that it is absolutely not a religion of peace. Here you have it (even when unintentional) from one of the princesses of Saudi Arabia herself.

Jean Sasson the Zionist hate-mongerer (1/2 people found this helpful)

Jean - how about you write in relation to Israel, your motherland aka terrorist base. Your stupid judgements and lack of insight into Islam provides me proof that you just dreamt this all up rather than having any sense of reality to it! War pimp (or madam in your case)!!

Moving (3/3 people found this helpful)

I got this book as a Christmas present. I finally finished the book I was reading and I picked this one up. Well I finished it in one day. I was not able to put it down. I think many people have an image of women from Saudi Arabia to be week and feel for their suffering. Reading this book shows how brave these women are. The Princess was not only a rebel but she made a difference not only in her life but also in the lives of many people. If you want a book that will make you want to make a difference this is the book for you! I loved it. I can't wait to read the other 2 books about her life!

Depression in the Desert (3/4 people found this helpful)

This book has been challenged on the basis that it may be fictional or "factional" rather than autobiographical as such. However, to me it had the ring of truth, although I am the first to admit that my experience of that part of the world is limited (three days in Qatar and three months or so in the very different society of Egypt). If true or mostly true, though (and the basic premises are obviously correct: the role of Islam, the religious police, the general role of women in Saudi Arabia), it does support what many in the "West" feel about Saudi Arabia: that it is a society probably less civilized even than places like Afghanistan, its flaws and basically primitive nature concealed by untold and unearned oil wealth.

The supposed authoress grows up as a Saudi "royal" (whatever that may mean in a society where there are literally hundreds of princes...). She rebels against her closeted way of life. The anecdotes are graphic, sometimes cruel, especially the way women are restricted to an absurd extent.

It is a useful book at the present time, as Islam attempts to sread in the world through force, through the higher birth rates of Arab and allied peoples, through the wealth which landed upon the Gulf Arabs thanks to European and American explorers. Where will the backward Saudi society be when oil either runs out or is replqced by other energy sources? Back where it started, perhaps, in black tents and riding on camels.

Jean Sasson

Reader Reviews:

UNABLE TO LEAVE IT DOWN (0/0 people found this helpful)

Interesting but poorly written (0/1 people found this helpful)

Jean Sasson the Zionist hate-mongerer (1/2 people found this helpful)

Moving (3/3 people found this helpful)

Depression in the Desert (3/4 people found this helpful)

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