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亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟
When Rajaa Alsanea boldly chose to open up the hidden world of Saudi women鈥攖heir private lives and their conflicts with the traditions of their culture鈥攕he caused a sensation across the Arab world.
Now in English, Alsanea鈥檚 tale of the personal struggles of four young upper-class women offers Westerners an unprecedented glimpse into a society often veiled from view. Living in restrictive Riyadh but traveling all over the globe, these modern Saudi women literally and figuratively shed traditional garb as they search for love, fulfillment, and their place somewhere in between Western society and their Islamic home.
Now in English, Alsanea鈥檚 tale of the personal struggles of four young upper-class women offers Westerners an unprecedented glimpse into a society often veiled from view. Living in restrictive Riyadh but traveling all over the globe, these modern Saudi women literally and figuratively shed traditional garb as they search for love, fulfillment, and their place somewhere in between Western society and their Islamic home.
319 pages
First published January 1, 2005
575 people are currently reading
11878 people want to read
About the author
乇噩丕亍 毓亘丿 丕賱賱賴 丕賱氐丕賳毓
123听followers乇噩丕亍 亘賳鬲 毓亘丿丕賱賱賴 丕賱氐丕賳毓 賵賱丿鬲 1981 賲 賮賷 丕賱乇賷丕囟 賰丕鬲亘丞 賵賯丕氐丞 爻毓賵丿賷丞 丕卮鬲賴乇鬲 亘乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟 丨丕氐賱丞 毓賱賶 亘賰丕賱賵乇賷賵爻 胤亘 兀爻賳丕賳 賲賳 噩丕賲毓丞 丕賱賲賱賰 爻毓賵丿 2005
鬲乇噩賲鬲 乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 廿賱賶 丕賱賱睾丞 丕賱兀賱賲丕賳賷丞 賵丨氐賱鬲 毓賱賶 丕賱賲乇賰夭 丕賱孬丕賲賳 賮賷 兀賰孬乇 丕賱賰鬲亘 賲亘賷毓丕賸貙 賰賲丕 鬲乇噩賲鬲 乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 卮乇賰丞 賳卮乇 賲卮賴賵乇丞 賮賷 兀賲乇賷賰丕 廿賱賶 丕賱賱睾丞 丕賱廿賳噩賱賷夭賷丞
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,629 reviews
December 23, 2007
I think the author wrote a true account of life in Saudi Arabia. I am married to a Saudi, and I didn't find anything she wrote about to be in conflict with what I know from my 29 years of marriage, experience in SA, and extended family. Most importantly,her story rings true based on what my children (who are now the same age as the author) have told me about the private world of young people. It's an exciting peek into the inner world of young Saudi women, and that is enough to make it worth the read. I know it's one particular slice of Saudi female life, but no book can be all things to all people. A good book will take you in depth and, depending on the topic, deliberately not function as a survey text. I think the book does a good job of making an unknown group more connected to others who are interested. It's a quick read, and you will find yourself caring about what happens to each character.
January 13, 2022
Sex in the City, upper class Saudi society style! An unnamed blogger sends out an email newsletter with episodic stories of four young women's quest for love in Saudi Arabia in the 21st century. Love and dating is foremost, with Islam, gender equality and Saudi society taking a strong second place. Some might not like the almost irreverent approach to language and style used by Alsanea, but I found it made the book that more readable
Don't expect any deep dive delves into the Saudi world, this is essentially a gossip mag written from the pint of view of the people involved. A neat 21st century epistolary novel done well, with each email prefaced by the narrator's thoughts, feelings, quotes, poems and response to support and/or criticism. We do lose something in translation, as I believe each of the four women spoke different languages or dialects that were included in the original. The 24 year old debut novelist caused a storm, not so much for the criticism she got from some in Saudi Arabia, but moreso for the huge wave of support she got from the public, other writes and even members of the ruling government! A book that is unashamedly about four individuals their stories; and not to be seen as a societal critique? The big mystery in the book, is which one of the women is the narrator? 7 out of 12
Rajaa Alsanea
2021 read
Don't expect any deep dive delves into the Saudi world, this is essentially a gossip mag written from the pint of view of the people involved. A neat 21st century epistolary novel done well, with each email prefaced by the narrator's thoughts, feelings, quotes, poems and response to support and/or criticism. We do lose something in translation, as I believe each of the four women spoke different languages or dialects that were included in the original. The 24 year old debut novelist caused a storm, not so much for the criticism she got from some in Saudi Arabia, but moreso for the huge wave of support she got from the public, other writes and even members of the ruling government! A book that is unashamedly about four individuals their stories; and not to be seen as a societal critique? The big mystery in the book, is which one of the women is the narrator? 7 out of 12
Rajaa Alsanea
2021 read
April 8, 2008
Save for the last 3 chapters, Girls of Riyadh by Raja Alsanea was a huge let down. Sensationalized and immature, the author is clearly looking to cash in on the western stereotypes of the east. The 4 female protagonists act in the most predictable, girly-movie way.
The story did nothing for me, didn't enlighten me to the supposedly hidden side of the Arab way of life and society, as the author promised in many interviews. The author assumes this self-important, holier-than-thou tone that got so annoying that after the first few chapters I skipped the introductory passage where she addresses the readers. It's only towards the very end that the characters turn fleshy. You get a slight glimpse into something profound but it lingers below the surface, at best.
The author lacks the craft to tap into the real issues, she states them out loud rather than hint at them and allow the reader arrive at his/her own conclusion, and this is where the book falls short.
There are loads of better books out there for those with a genuine interest in gaining an insight into the lives of people living in Islamic societies.
The story did nothing for me, didn't enlighten me to the supposedly hidden side of the Arab way of life and society, as the author promised in many interviews. The author assumes this self-important, holier-than-thou tone that got so annoying that after the first few chapters I skipped the introductory passage where she addresses the readers. It's only towards the very end that the characters turn fleshy. You get a slight glimpse into something profound but it lingers below the surface, at best.
The author lacks the craft to tap into the real issues, she states them out loud rather than hint at them and allow the reader arrive at his/her own conclusion, and this is where the book falls short.
There are loads of better books out there for those with a genuine interest in gaining an insight into the lives of people living in Islamic societies.
July 1, 2008
When this book first came out, I was living in Saudi Arabia and it caused quite a stir - so much so that it was banned in Kingdom. I was teaching ESL at the time, and the women in my classes were frantic to get their hands on a copy of it. Turns out the enthusiasm they felt was short lived - as in as soon as they started reading it.
The book is written as a series of emails between a group of young Saudi women, and to folks who, like my students, had little experience reading fiction, it seemed too true for most of my students. Many were offended and defensive, believing the author was telling lies about them and their friends. Oddly enough, several of the women I spoke with insisted they actually knew some of the characters in the book!
Fast forward a few years and I picked up a deeply discounted English version of the book and read it in two sittings. I understood how and why my students were upset. Although fictional, the scenes and experiences portrayed happen every day in Saudi Arabia, and having the world read about them must have been scary - especially for women who live very private and secluded lives.
That said, the book is fiction, and readers need to remember that. It's well-written (albeit a translation), and the stories are compelling in a watching-a-train-wreck sort of way.
Having lived in Kingdom, there were no surprises or shocks hidden within the pages of this book, but for those unfamiliar with the culture, I'm sure it will be eye-opening. Again, however, remember it is fiction.
The book is written as a series of emails between a group of young Saudi women, and to folks who, like my students, had little experience reading fiction, it seemed too true for most of my students. Many were offended and defensive, believing the author was telling lies about them and their friends. Oddly enough, several of the women I spoke with insisted they actually knew some of the characters in the book!
Fast forward a few years and I picked up a deeply discounted English version of the book and read it in two sittings. I understood how and why my students were upset. Although fictional, the scenes and experiences portrayed happen every day in Saudi Arabia, and having the world read about them must have been scary - especially for women who live very private and secluded lives.
That said, the book is fiction, and readers need to remember that. It's well-written (albeit a translation), and the stories are compelling in a watching-a-train-wreck sort of way.
Having lived in Kingdom, there were no surprises or shocks hidden within the pages of this book, but for those unfamiliar with the culture, I'm sure it will be eye-opening. Again, however, remember it is fiction.
July 27, 2009
賱丕 噩丿賷丿貙 賯氐氐 賲賰乇賵乇丞 乇亘賲丕 鬲卮丿賾 賲賳 賱賲 賷賯乇兀 兀卮亘丕賴丕賸 賱賴丕. 賵兀爻賱賵亘 賲鬲賵爻胤 丕賱噩賵丿丞. 丕卮鬲賴乇鬲 賱兀爻亘丕亘 賰孬賷乇丞 賱賷爻 賲賳 亘賷賳賴丕 賲丨鬲賵丕賴丕貙 賵賱毓賱賷 賯乇兀鬲 賮賷 賲噩丕賱賴丕 賲丕 賴賵 兀賮囟賱 賲賳賴丕.
兀毓噩亘 兀賳 鬲購乇噩賲鬲 廿賱賶 丕賱廿賳噩賱賷夭賷丞 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 賵噩賷夭丞. 賴賱 毓丿賲賳丕 賮賳丕賸 賵兀丿亘丕賸 賷氐賱 廿賱賶 丕賱毓丕賱賲 禺賷乇丕賸 賲賳 賴匕丕責
赌
兀毓噩亘 兀賳 鬲購乇噩賲鬲 廿賱賶 丕賱廿賳噩賱賷夭賷丞 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 賵噩賷夭丞. 賴賱 毓丿賲賳丕 賮賳丕賸 賵兀丿亘丕賸 賷氐賱 廿賱賶 丕賱毓丕賱賲 禺賷乇丕賸 賲賳 賴匕丕責
赌
September 16, 2009
鬲乇噩賲鬲 賱兀賰孬乇 賲賳 賱睾丞
賵丕賱爻亘亘 賵丕囟丨
兀賳賴丕 鬲賮囟丨 亘毓囟 胤亘賯丕鬲 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷
賱賰賳 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞
兀賳賴丕 爻鬲賳賯賱 賱賱睾乇亘 氐賵乇丞 賲夭賷賮丞 毓賳 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓
賮賲丕賵乇丿 賮賷賲丕 賷爻賲賶 乇賵丕賷丞 ..
賱丕 賷賲孬賱 爻賵賶 卮乇賷丨丞 賲丨丿丿丞 賵賱賷爻 睾丕賱亘 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓
鬲兀賱賲鬲 賵兀賳丕 兀賯乇兀 丌乇丕亍 丕賱賯乇丕亍 丕賱兀噩丕賳亘 亘賴丕 ..
賵丕賱爻亘亘 賵丕囟丨
兀賳賴丕 鬲賮囟丨 亘毓囟 胤亘賯丕鬲 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷
賱賰賳 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞
兀賳賴丕 爻鬲賳賯賱 賱賱睾乇亘 氐賵乇丞 賲夭賷賮丞 毓賳 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓
賮賲丕賵乇丿 賮賷賲丕 賷爻賲賶 乇賵丕賷丞 ..
賱丕 賷賲孬賱 爻賵賶 卮乇賷丨丞 賲丨丿丿丞 賵賱賷爻 睾丕賱亘 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓
鬲兀賱賲鬲 賵兀賳丕 兀賯乇兀 丌乇丕亍 丕賱賯乇丕亍 丕賱兀噩丕賳亘 亘賴丕 ..
January 29, 2012
Girls Of Riyadh
Where could i possibly begin?
I will begin with the first time I saw it on the "Best Sellers" shelf in one of our local bookshops in Kuwait. The cover attracted me so I grabbed it and read few lines of random pages of the book and ended up liking it but i did not buy it at the time and bought "Shadow Kiss, Vampire Academy" Instead. Each time I paid a visit to the same bookshop I saw it there, laying then grabbed it and hesitated to buy it. Again. Until One time I visited Jareer's bookshop in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and decided to finally buy it with no hesitation whatsoever.
I read a few reviews about it, some of them attacked the author and some agreed with her.
I couldn't judge the book until I read it.
So I began reading the book and like most of the girls I somehow related to what was written in it. The stories that she shared are (whether we hated it or not) were true. It happened and it is still happening to most of the girls in our society!
I believe that the author was being judged and attacked because she was "as the people claim" judgmental, Over reacting, lying and the list goes on..
But what I see is that she is only telling the truth, she's telling what she's seeing!
Where went the freedom of expressing your mind and opinion? It is semi-impossible in the Arabic, Muslim society specially in the Arabian gulf due to their strict rules of following the traditions. The funny thing is that they care more about their little traditions and habits more than they care about Islam itself! I am not saying that everyone is like that but hey, who are we kidding? Most of us are like that.
Parents, Grandparents and old folks only care about what others think of them even if that costed their and their children's freedom.
We are under a lot of pressure. A pressure of trying to be as perfect as possible and that is just non-acceptable because no one is perfect! perfection is for god himself! So tell me how are supposed to be perfect as they want us to be?
How can we act good all the freaking time? (I'm not saying that we are bad but simply people just cannot control your freedom, likes and interests!)
We've reached a level that we cannot express our thoughts without being made fun of. without being judged in a very harsh way. without being eventually disappointed. So we just stopped expressing ourselves all together.
What i'm trying to say is that I really admire her courage and patience with all the attacks she was getting from everyone around her and from other countries as well.
I've also read in one of the reviews that says her English was bad but i found it rather good. At least it's better than mine anyways.
She tried and stood in everyone's faces so she could show the world the truth & i respect that. translations were good. The book was good!
In the end..
I loved every single thing in it. ^^
Where could i possibly begin?
I will begin with the first time I saw it on the "Best Sellers" shelf in one of our local bookshops in Kuwait. The cover attracted me so I grabbed it and read few lines of random pages of the book and ended up liking it but i did not buy it at the time and bought "Shadow Kiss, Vampire Academy" Instead. Each time I paid a visit to the same bookshop I saw it there, laying then grabbed it and hesitated to buy it. Again. Until One time I visited Jareer's bookshop in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and decided to finally buy it with no hesitation whatsoever.
I read a few reviews about it, some of them attacked the author and some agreed with her.
I couldn't judge the book until I read it.
So I began reading the book and like most of the girls I somehow related to what was written in it. The stories that she shared are (whether we hated it or not) were true. It happened and it is still happening to most of the girls in our society!
I believe that the author was being judged and attacked because she was "as the people claim" judgmental, Over reacting, lying and the list goes on..
But what I see is that she is only telling the truth, she's telling what she's seeing!
Where went the freedom of expressing your mind and opinion? It is semi-impossible in the Arabic, Muslim society specially in the Arabian gulf due to their strict rules of following the traditions. The funny thing is that they care more about their little traditions and habits more than they care about Islam itself! I am not saying that everyone is like that but hey, who are we kidding? Most of us are like that.
Parents, Grandparents and old folks only care about what others think of them even if that costed their and their children's freedom.
We are under a lot of pressure. A pressure of trying to be as perfect as possible and that is just non-acceptable because no one is perfect! perfection is for god himself! So tell me how are supposed to be perfect as they want us to be?
How can we act good all the freaking time? (I'm not saying that we are bad but simply people just cannot control your freedom, likes and interests!)
We've reached a level that we cannot express our thoughts without being made fun of. without being judged in a very harsh way. without being eventually disappointed. So we just stopped expressing ourselves all together.
What i'm trying to say is that I really admire her courage and patience with all the attacks she was getting from everyone around her and from other countries as well.
I've also read in one of the reviews that says her English was bad but i found it rather good. At least it's better than mine anyways.
She tried and stood in everyone's faces so she could show the world the truth & i respect that. translations were good. The book was good!
In the end..
I loved every single thing in it. ^^
January 29, 2010
兀丨丿 兀爻禺賮 賲丕 賰鬲亘 毓賱賶 賵噩賴 丕賱兀乇囟 ..
April 12, 2013
Malo egzotike... Nesto drugacije od onoga na sta smo navikli... :)
February 27, 2017
賱丕 兀丿乇賷 賴賱 賰賳鬲 賮賷 丕賱賲鬲賵爻胤 兀賵 丕賱孬丕賳賵賷 .. 丨賷賳賲丕 鬲爻賱賱鬲 賱賲賰鬲亘丞 賵丕賱丿賷 賱賷賱丕賸 賱兀賯乇兀賴丕. 卮丿賳賷 丨賲丕爻 丕賱丌禺乇賷賳 賱賴丕 .. 賵賱兀賳賷 爻賲毓鬲 兀賳 賵丕賱丿賷 兀丨囟乇賴丕 賲毓賴 賲賳 丕賱爻賮乇 賱兀賳賴丕 賱賲 鬲賰賳 賲賵噩賵丿丞 賮賷 丕賱賲賲賱賰丞. 賰賳鬲 賰丕賱丌禺乇賷賳 .. 賵賴賷 氐賮丞 賱丕夭賲丞 賱賱亘卮乇 "賳丨亘 兀賳 賳毓乇賮 爻亘亘 卮賴乇丞 丕賱卮賷亍 兀賵 乇賮囟賴" ..
兀禺匕鬲賴丕 賱睾乇賮鬲賷 賵兀毓丿鬲賴丕 亘毓丿 兀賳 丕賳鬲賴賷鬲 .. 賵丕賰鬲卮賮鬲 丨賷賳賴丕 兀賳 賵丕賱丿賷 賷噩賲毓 亘毓囟 丕賱兀卮賷丕亍 丕賱賲丨馗賵乇丞 賲孬賱 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賵賱丕 賷賯乇兀賴丕 賴賴賴賴賴賴
丕賱賲賴賲 : 兀賳賴丕 賰丕賳鬲 鬲丕賮賴丞貙 賱丕 鬲丨賲賱 賮賰乇丞 賲毓賷賳丞 兀賵 賲氐胤賱丨 乇夭賷賳貙 賰爻賵丕賱賮 丕賱賲賳鬲丿賷丕鬲 賵卮胤丨丕鬲 丕賱賲乇丕賴賯賷賳 丕賱賲毓鬲丕丿丞.
賵丕賱爻賷亍 兀賰孬乇 兀爻賲 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賵丕賱卮賴乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 賱丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯賴丕.
兀禺匕鬲賴丕 賱睾乇賮鬲賷 賵兀毓丿鬲賴丕 亘毓丿 兀賳 丕賳鬲賴賷鬲 .. 賵丕賰鬲卮賮鬲 丨賷賳賴丕 兀賳 賵丕賱丿賷 賷噩賲毓 亘毓囟 丕賱兀卮賷丕亍 丕賱賲丨馗賵乇丞 賲孬賱 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賵賱丕 賷賯乇兀賴丕 賴賴賴賴賴賴
丕賱賲賴賲 : 兀賳賴丕 賰丕賳鬲 鬲丕賮賴丞貙 賱丕 鬲丨賲賱 賮賰乇丞 賲毓賷賳丞 兀賵 賲氐胤賱丨 乇夭賷賳貙 賰爻賵丕賱賮 丕賱賲賳鬲丿賷丕鬲 賵卮胤丨丕鬲 丕賱賲乇丕賴賯賷賳 丕賱賲毓鬲丕丿丞.
賵丕賱爻賷亍 兀賰孬乇 兀爻賲 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賵丕賱卮賴乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 賱丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯賴丕.
October 19, 2008
廿匕丕 賱賲 鬲禺賳賷 丕賱匕丕賰乇丞貙 賲購賳毓鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賮賷 亘丿丕賷丞 廿氐丿丕乇賴丕.
兀匕賰乇 兀賳 氐丿賷賯鬲賷 賰丕賳鬲 賲鬲丨賲爻丞 噩丿丕 毓賳丿賲丕 兀丨囟乇鬲賴丕 賲賳 丿亘賷貙 賰賲丕 賱賵 兀賳賴丕 賵噩丿鬲 賰賳夭丕
賯乇兀鬲賴丕 賵氐丿賯丕賸 賱丕 兀噩丿賴丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯 兀賷 囟噩丞 兀賵 亘賱亘丞
毓丕丿賷丞貙 亘賰賱 丕賱賲賯丕賷賷爻
兀匕賰乇 兀賳 氐丿賷賯鬲賷 賰丕賳鬲 賲鬲丨賲爻丞 噩丿丕 毓賳丿賲丕 兀丨囟乇鬲賴丕 賲賳 丿亘賷貙 賰賲丕 賱賵 兀賳賴丕 賵噩丿鬲 賰賳夭丕
賯乇兀鬲賴丕 賵氐丿賯丕賸 賱丕 兀噩丿賴丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯 兀賷 囟噩丞 兀賵 亘賱亘丞
毓丕丿賷丞貙 亘賰賱 丕賱賲賯丕賷賷爻
September 9, 2007
I really enjoyed this book on several levels. I'll try to clearly explain why:
1. I like books set in India and the Middle East. This book is set in Saudi Arabia. Most of what I know about Saudi Arabia comes from what I hear on the nightly news, so it's interesting to read a book written by a Saudi woman. It's a completely different culture, but this book is about far more than just war and inequality, it's also about culture and mores.
2.It's pretty much chick lit set in the Middle East, which I think is awesome. American women get enough chick lit and soap operas and such, Saudi women deserve some too!
3. The book was an underground best-seller in Saudi Arabia and I definitely wanted to see why. I understand why it had to be kept hidden, but I wanted to see why it was so popular.
I'm definitely glad I read it. It was a fun read, but it was also really enlightening. It helps me understand a lot of things better. I could certainly make criticisms of the book, like "where are all the poor, illiterate people?" But obviously, the author didn't intend to write a book about the lower class Saudis. She was writing of the privileged class and she succeeded in showing their lifestyle and customs.
1. I like books set in India and the Middle East. This book is set in Saudi Arabia. Most of what I know about Saudi Arabia comes from what I hear on the nightly news, so it's interesting to read a book written by a Saudi woman. It's a completely different culture, but this book is about far more than just war and inequality, it's also about culture and mores.
2.It's pretty much chick lit set in the Middle East, which I think is awesome. American women get enough chick lit and soap operas and such, Saudi women deserve some too!
3. The book was an underground best-seller in Saudi Arabia and I definitely wanted to see why. I understand why it had to be kept hidden, but I wanted to see why it was so popular.
I'm definitely glad I read it. It was a fun read, but it was also really enlightening. It helps me understand a lot of things better. I could certainly make criticisms of the book, like "where are all the poor, illiterate people?" But obviously, the author didn't intend to write a book about the lower class Saudis. She was writing of the privileged class and she succeeded in showing their lifestyle and customs.
January 28, 2011
賱賲 鬲丨馗 乇賵丕賷丞 賮賷 鬲丕乇賷禺 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷丞 賵賲丕 噩丕賵乇賴丕 賲賳 噩丕乇鬲賴丕 丕賱丿賵賱 賲賳 氐賷鬲 賰賲丕 丨馗鬲 亘賴 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 ...丨爻亘 卮賴丕丿丞 賯爻賲 丕賱賲亘賷毓丕鬲 丕賱毓乇亘賷丞 賮賷 賲賰鬲亘丞 噩乇賷乇毓賳丿賲丕 爻兀賱鬲賴 兀噩丕亘 丕賱賲爻丐賵賱賵賳 賮賷 賰賱 丕賱賮乇賵毓 兀賳 賲亘賷毓丕鬲賴丕 賴賷 丕賱兀賮囟賱 賵賰丕賳鬲 亘兀乇賯丕賲 禺賷丕賱賷丞 ..廿賲鬲丿鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱卮賴乇丞 賱丿乇噩丞 兀賵爻毓 賮賷 丿賵賱 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷
賵丕賱爻丐丕賱 賴賳丕 賲丕 賴匕賴 丕賱禺賱胤丞 丕賱爻乇賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 丕亘鬲賰乇鬲賴丕 乇噩丕亍 丕賱氐丕賳毓 賮賷 乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 賵丕賱鬲賷 丕爻鬲丿毓鬲 賰賱 賴匕賴 丕賱噩賱亘丞 賱賴丕 .....乇賵丕賷丞 乇噩丕亍 噩丕亍鬲 賲賲鬲毓丞 爻賱爻丞 賲爻賱賷丞 亘丕賱胤亘毓 賱賷爻鬲 賴賳丕賰 兀賷 賮丕卅丿丞 孬賯丕賮賷丞 鬲匕賰乇 爻賵賶 兀賳賴丕 卮乇丨鬲 亘毓囟 賲賳 丕賱丨丕賱丞 丕賱爻胤丨賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷毓賷卮賴丕 兀亘賳丕亍 噩賷賱賴丕 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱賲賳胤賯丞 ..乇賵丕賷丞 噩賷丿丞
賵丕賱爻丐丕賱 賴賳丕 賲丕 賴匕賴 丕賱禺賱胤丞 丕賱爻乇賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 丕亘鬲賰乇鬲賴丕 乇噩丕亍 丕賱氐丕賳毓 賮賷 乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 賵丕賱鬲賷 丕爻鬲丿毓鬲 賰賱 賴匕賴 丕賱噩賱亘丞 賱賴丕 .....乇賵丕賷丞 乇噩丕亍 噩丕亍鬲 賲賲鬲毓丞 爻賱爻丞 賲爻賱賷丞 亘丕賱胤亘毓 賱賷爻鬲 賴賳丕賰 兀賷 賮丕卅丿丞 孬賯丕賮賷丞 鬲匕賰乇 爻賵賶 兀賳賴丕 卮乇丨鬲 亘毓囟 賲賳 丕賱丨丕賱丞 丕賱爻胤丨賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷毓賷卮賴丕 兀亘賳丕亍 噩賷賱賴丕 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱賲賳胤賯丞 ..乇賵丕賷丞 噩賷丿丞
January 11, 2023
賯氐氐 賵丨賰丕賷丕鬲
February 21, 2010
賯乇兀鬲賴丕 賵 賷丕賱賷鬲賳賷 賱賲 兀賯乇兀賴丕 !
September 24, 2016
This was an interesting peep into upper class Saudi culture. Many of the love stories mirrored those of my friends around 10 years ago. Of course, most are now settled into semi-forced marriages. Of course, there are major differences because the law protects Indian women and there is a lot more freedom that belongs to us by birth, unlike in Saudi. But as far as love and marriage are concerned, I could see a lot of similarities, especially in the way men reacted when the family pressure started. For every Waleed who backed out after a woman put out for him, I know an Indian counterpart. For every Rashid who is in love with another woman and allows himself to be forced into a marriage by his family and then abuses his wife, I know someone who has done exactly that. So yes, familiar ground.
The story is about four women: Sadeem, Gamrah, Lamees, and Michelle. The four of them grew up together and had an enormous impact on each other. This is a simple romance book but makes an interesting read because it isn't the usual run of the mill story of boy meets girl. Here, these four women have to hide behind their computers and their smartphones to get in touch with men. They have to navigate the minefield of male expectations while at the same time not having to disappoint social and familial expectations. All of these expectations, as always, fall upon the women to fulfil.
In a way, this book is a feminist work merely because it talks about choice for women in a society where arranged/forced marriage is the norm or even the simple fact that this book is about women and their desires. On the other hand, it is a very unfeminist work because it concentrates only on love and marriage as goals for women, especially since they have all had the privilege of having a good education and been allowed to work. But either way, it proved to be very popular across the Middle East because it does talk to youngsters about their options. Originally banned by Saudi, it is now available everywhere.
One thing that did not please me with the translation is that it was excessively Americanised in ways that really undermined the feel of Saudi culture. I simply do not understand why publishers think American readers only can deal with Americanised stuff. Give them a chance! It was really disappointing, and if I knew Arabic, I would have reread this in original.
The tone of the writing was slightly juvenile, but that didn't surprise me. This was a book about women who were forced to act like teenagers and there wasn't much actual substance to the story, which again wasn't surprising because really, romance! But overall, I found it worth a read.
The story is about four women: Sadeem, Gamrah, Lamees, and Michelle. The four of them grew up together and had an enormous impact on each other. This is a simple romance book but makes an interesting read because it isn't the usual run of the mill story of boy meets girl. Here, these four women have to hide behind their computers and their smartphones to get in touch with men. They have to navigate the minefield of male expectations while at the same time not having to disappoint social and familial expectations. All of these expectations, as always, fall upon the women to fulfil.
In a way, this book is a feminist work merely because it talks about choice for women in a society where arranged/forced marriage is the norm or even the simple fact that this book is about women and their desires. On the other hand, it is a very unfeminist work because it concentrates only on love and marriage as goals for women, especially since they have all had the privilege of having a good education and been allowed to work. But either way, it proved to be very popular across the Middle East because it does talk to youngsters about their options. Originally banned by Saudi, it is now available everywhere.
One thing that did not please me with the translation is that it was excessively Americanised in ways that really undermined the feel of Saudi culture. I simply do not understand why publishers think American readers only can deal with Americanised stuff. Give them a chance! It was really disappointing, and if I knew Arabic, I would have reread this in original.
The tone of the writing was slightly juvenile, but that didn't surprise me. This was a book about women who were forced to act like teenagers and there wasn't much actual substance to the story, which again wasn't surprising because really, romance! But overall, I found it worth a read.
June 26, 2011
亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟
兀禺賷乇丕 賸 賯乇兀鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賰賳鬲 毓丕賴丿鬲 賳賮爻賷 兀賳 賱丕 兀卮鬲乇賷賴丕貙 賵兀賳 兀丨氐賱 毓賱賷賴丕 賲賳 兀丨丿 賲賲賳 丕卮鬲乇賵賴丕 賵賴賲 賰孬乇貙 賵乇睾賲 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 鬲兀禺乇鬲 廿賱丕 兀賳賴丕 賱丕 鬲兀鬲賷 賰賳賵毓 賲賳 丕賱亘丨孬 毓賳 丕賱賯賷賲丞 賮賷 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賵廿賳賲丕 賮賷 丕賱乇睾亘丞 賮賷 丕賱廿胤賱丕毓 毓賱賶 賴匕丕 丕賱賳氐 丕賱匕賷 賯胤賮 卮賴乇丞 賯丿 賳禺鬲賱賮 丨賵賱賴丕 賵賱賰賳 賱丕 賳賳賰乇賴丕.
乇賵丕賷丞 賲毓丕丿賷丞 賱賱乇噩賱貙 賵禺丕氐丞 丕賱乇噩賱 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷貙 賲賰鬲賵亘丞 亘胤乇賷賯丞 乇爻丕卅賱 丕賱賰鬲乇賵賳賷丞 鬲乇爻賱賴丕 賮鬲丕丞 賲噩賴賵賱丞 鬲乇賵賷 賮賷賴丕 賯氐丞 氐丿賷賯丕鬲賴丕 丕賱兀乇亘毓 兀賵 亘丕賱兀丨乇賶 賯氐氐賴賳 賲毓 丕賱乇噩賱貙 賲毓 丕賱丨亘貙 賲睾丕賲乇丕鬲賴賳貙 賯賲乇丞 丕賱賯氐賷賲賷 丕賱鬲賷 鬲鬲夭賵噩 乇丕卮丿 賵鬲乇夭賯 賲賳賴 亘賵賱丿 鬲爻賲賷賴 氐丕賱丨貙 賵鬲賳鬲賴賷 賲乇賲賷丞 賮賷 亘賷鬲 賵丕賱丿賴丕 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲禺賱賶 毓賳賴丕 乇丕卮丿 賲賳 兀噩賱 毓卮賷賯鬲賴 丕賱賷丕亘丕賳賷丞 !!! 賱賲賷爻 丕賱噩丿丕賵賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓鬲亘乇 兀爻毓丿賴賳 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲鬲夭賵噩 賳夭丕乇 賵鬲毓賷卮 賲毓賴 亘爻毓丕丿丞貙 爻丿賷賲 丕賱丨乇賷賲賱賷 丕賱鬲賷 賷鬲乇賰賴丕 禺胤賷亘賴丕 賵賱賷丿 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲爻賱賲賴 賳賮爻賴丕貙 賵賲賳 孬賲 賷鬲乇賰賴丕 賮乇丕爻 丕賱匕賷 鬲鬲毓乇賮 毓賱賷賴 賮賷 賱賳丿賳貙 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲毓賱賯鬲 賮賷賴貙 賵賷鬲夭賵噩 丕賲乇兀丞 兀禺乇賶 賵鬲鬲夭賵噩 賮賷 丕賱賳賴丕賷丞 丕亘賳 禺丕賱鬲賴丕 胤丕乇賯貙 賵兀禺賷乇丕 賸 賲賷卮賷賱 兀賵 賲卮丕毓賱貙 賵賴賷 賲賳 兀賲 兀賲乇賷賰賷丞貙 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓賷卮 賯氐丞 丨亘 賲毓 賮賷氐賱 丕賱匕賷 賷鬲禺賱賶 毓賳賴丕 兀賷囟丕 賸 亘毓丿 乇賮囟 兀賲賴 夭賵丕噩賴 賲賳 爻丿賷賲 - 鬲毓丕賯亘賴 丕賱賰丕鬲亘丞 亘鬲夭賵賷噩賴 賮鬲丕丞 賯亘賷丨丞貙 賵丨囟賵乇 賲賷卮賷賱 賱夭賵丕噩賴 亘賯氐丿 廿匕賱丕賱賴 賵廿賷賱丕賲賴 -貙 賰賲丕 兀賳賴丕 鬲賮賯丿 毓賱丕賯丞 亘丕亘賳 禺丕賱賴丕 丕賱兀賲乇賷賰賷 賲丕鬲賷貙 賵兀禺賷乇丕 賸 鬲乇賮囟 丕賱丕乇鬲亘丕胤 亘夭賲賷賱賴丕 丕賱廿賲丕乇丕鬲賷 丨賲丿丕賳 賱兀賳賴丕 賱丕 鬲賯亘賱 廿賱丕 亘丕賱丨亘 賵丨丿賴 兀爻丕爻丕 賸 賱賱夭賵丕噩.
兀禺賷乇丕 賸 賯乇兀鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賰賳鬲 毓丕賴丿鬲 賳賮爻賷 兀賳 賱丕 兀卮鬲乇賷賴丕貙 賵兀賳 兀丨氐賱 毓賱賷賴丕 賲賳 兀丨丿 賲賲賳 丕卮鬲乇賵賴丕 賵賴賲 賰孬乇貙 賵乇睾賲 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 鬲兀禺乇鬲 廿賱丕 兀賳賴丕 賱丕 鬲兀鬲賷 賰賳賵毓 賲賳 丕賱亘丨孬 毓賳 丕賱賯賷賲丞 賮賷 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞貙 賵廿賳賲丕 賮賷 丕賱乇睾亘丞 賮賷 丕賱廿胤賱丕毓 毓賱賶 賴匕丕 丕賱賳氐 丕賱匕賷 賯胤賮 卮賴乇丞 賯丿 賳禺鬲賱賮 丨賵賱賴丕 賵賱賰賳 賱丕 賳賳賰乇賴丕.
乇賵丕賷丞 賲毓丕丿賷丞 賱賱乇噩賱貙 賵禺丕氐丞 丕賱乇噩賱 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷貙 賲賰鬲賵亘丞 亘胤乇賷賯丞 乇爻丕卅賱 丕賱賰鬲乇賵賳賷丞 鬲乇爻賱賴丕 賮鬲丕丞 賲噩賴賵賱丞 鬲乇賵賷 賮賷賴丕 賯氐丞 氐丿賷賯丕鬲賴丕 丕賱兀乇亘毓 兀賵 亘丕賱兀丨乇賶 賯氐氐賴賳 賲毓 丕賱乇噩賱貙 賲毓 丕賱丨亘貙 賲睾丕賲乇丕鬲賴賳貙 賯賲乇丞 丕賱賯氐賷賲賷 丕賱鬲賷 鬲鬲夭賵噩 乇丕卮丿 賵鬲乇夭賯 賲賳賴 亘賵賱丿 鬲爻賲賷賴 氐丕賱丨貙 賵鬲賳鬲賴賷 賲乇賲賷丞 賮賷 亘賷鬲 賵丕賱丿賴丕 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲禺賱賶 毓賳賴丕 乇丕卮丿 賲賳 兀噩賱 毓卮賷賯鬲賴 丕賱賷丕亘丕賳賷丞 !!! 賱賲賷爻 丕賱噩丿丕賵賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓鬲亘乇 兀爻毓丿賴賳 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲鬲夭賵噩 賳夭丕乇 賵鬲毓賷卮 賲毓賴 亘爻毓丕丿丞貙 爻丿賷賲 丕賱丨乇賷賲賱賷 丕賱鬲賷 賷鬲乇賰賴丕 禺胤賷亘賴丕 賵賱賷丿 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲爻賱賲賴 賳賮爻賴丕貙 賵賲賳 孬賲 賷鬲乇賰賴丕 賮乇丕爻 丕賱匕賷 鬲鬲毓乇賮 毓賱賷賴 賮賷 賱賳丿賳貙 亘毓丿賲丕 鬲毓賱賯鬲 賮賷賴貙 賵賷鬲夭賵噩 丕賲乇兀丞 兀禺乇賶 賵鬲鬲夭賵噩 賮賷 丕賱賳賴丕賷丞 丕亘賳 禺丕賱鬲賴丕 胤丕乇賯貙 賵兀禺賷乇丕 賸 賲賷卮賷賱 兀賵 賲卮丕毓賱貙 賵賴賷 賲賳 兀賲 兀賲乇賷賰賷丞貙 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓賷卮 賯氐丞 丨亘 賲毓 賮賷氐賱 丕賱匕賷 賷鬲禺賱賶 毓賳賴丕 兀賷囟丕 賸 亘毓丿 乇賮囟 兀賲賴 夭賵丕噩賴 賲賳 爻丿賷賲 - 鬲毓丕賯亘賴 丕賱賰丕鬲亘丞 亘鬲夭賵賷噩賴 賮鬲丕丞 賯亘賷丨丞貙 賵丨囟賵乇 賲賷卮賷賱 賱夭賵丕噩賴 亘賯氐丿 廿匕賱丕賱賴 賵廿賷賱丕賲賴 -貙 賰賲丕 兀賳賴丕 鬲賮賯丿 毓賱丕賯丞 亘丕亘賳 禺丕賱賴丕 丕賱兀賲乇賷賰賷 賲丕鬲賷貙 賵兀禺賷乇丕 賸 鬲乇賮囟 丕賱丕乇鬲亘丕胤 亘夭賲賷賱賴丕 丕賱廿賲丕乇丕鬲賷 丨賲丿丕賳 賱兀賳賴丕 賱丕 鬲賯亘賱 廿賱丕 亘丕賱丨亘 賵丨丿賴 兀爻丕爻丕 賸 賱賱夭賵丕噩.
October 17, 2007
I had a hard time reading this book for several reasons. First, it was never intended to be translated into English and by doing so I'm sure the author had to provide tons of extra passages of explanation about Arabic culture to the english speaking readers. Second, I'll openly admit that it is not a well written book (in English)-- it reads like a middle school essay on 'how I spent my summer'. But that aside, this was an interesting exploration into a culture that I know very little about, even after traveling to United Arab Emirates. I had absolutely no idea just how much more strict Saudi culture is. The author is very opinionated about Saudi Arabia and the way 'love' is percieved in Islamic culture. But she never openly critiques it, more she just whines and complains that love is hard and causes pain (and isn't this true worldwide?). She aims to be an Arabic Candace Bushnell but given the circumstances she can't pull it off. And not because the characters' simply aren't permitted by law to live and love the way the well known SATC girls do. But because the author lacks words and descriptions and emotions to adequately write about love. It's a worthwhile read if you are looking to learn more about the Islamic culture. But otherwise, skip it.
January 19, 2009
賱賷爻 賴賳丕賰 賯賷賲丞 兀丿亘賷丞 鬲匕賰乇 毓賱賶 丕賱乇睾賲 賲賳 丕賱賴夭丞 丕賱鬲賷 丕丨丿孬鬲賴丕 賮賷 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱匕賷 賷賴夭賴 丕賷 卮卅 胤丕賱賲丕 毓賳丕氐乇 "丕賱賴夭" 賲鬲賵賮乇丞 賲賳 毓賳賵丕賳 賲賱賮鬲 賵賰丕鬲亘丞 賵鬲賯丿賷賲 卮禺氐 亘賲爻鬲賵賶 丕賱丿賰鬲賵乇 丕賱兀丿賷亘 睾丕夭賷 丕賱賯氐賷亘賷. 兀禺匕鬲 賲賳賴丕 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 6 爻賳賵丕鬲 賱賰鬲丕亘鬲賴丕. 賱賵 兀賳賴丕 兀賲囟鬲 賴匕丕 丕賱賵賯鬲 賱賱賯乇丕亍丞 丕賱賲賰孬賮丞 賱爻丕毓丿鬲賴丕 毓賱賶 賰鬲丕亘丞 乇賵丕賷丞 兀賰孬乇 毓賲賯丕. 兀賳氐丨 兀賳 賱丕 鬲鬲毓噩賱 賮賷 乇賵丕賷鬲賴丕 丕賱賯丕丿賲丞 賵兀賳 鬲鬲毓賱賲 賲賳 爻賱亘賷丕鬲賴丕 賯亘賱 廿賷噩丕亘賷丕鬲賴丕. 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賰丕賳鬲 丿丕賮毓丕 賱賱卮亘丕亘 賲賳 丕賱噩賳爻賷賳 賱賱賯乇丕亍丞 賮賴匕賴 丕賷噩丕亘賷丞 鬲丨爻亘 賱賴丕 賱鬲卮噩賷毓賴賲 毓賱賶 賲爻賰 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 . 賱丕 丕鬲賮賯 賲毓 丕賱亘毓囟 亘兀賳賴丕 爻賱爻賱丞 賮囟丕卅丨 賵匕賱賰 賱毓丿賲 鬲毓乇囟賴丕 賱兀毓乇丕囟 丕賱賳丕爻 亘丕賱丕爻賲. 賲賳 丕賱賲賲賰賳 鬲氐賳賷賮賴丕 毓賱賶 兀賳賴丕 賯乇丕亍丞 毓賳賵爻賷丞 亘賲毓賳賶 兀賳 丕賱毓賵丕賳爻 賷賱賴賷賳 兀賳賮爻賴賳 亘丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 賵亘賳賮爻 丕賱賵賯鬲 賷賳鬲馗乇賳 兀丨丿丕 賲丕 兀賳 賷胤乇賯 亘丕亘賴賳 鬲丨丿孬鬲 亘丨乇賷丞, 賵廿賳 亘丿鬲 睾賷乇 囟乇賵乇賷丞 賮賷 賲賵丕賯毓 賯賱賷賱丞, 毓賳 丕賱爻賱亘賷丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 鬲氐丕丿賮賴賲 賮賷 賲噩鬲賲毓 賲睾賱賯 賵賲夭丿賵噩 丕賱卮禺氐賷丞 賷賯乇 丕賱噩賲賷毓 亘賵噩賵丿賴丕 賵賱賰賳 賱丕 丕丨丿 賷噩乇丐 毓賱賶 丕賱丿禺賵賱 賮賷 鬲賮丕氐賷賱賴丕 賮賲丕 亘丕賱賰 兀賳 丕賱乇丕賵賷 亘賳鬲 賲賳 亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟 亘丿丕賷丞 賰賱 賮氐賱 亘丌賷丕鬲 賯乇丌賳賷丞 賵兀丨丕丿賷孬 賳亘賵賷丞 賵亘毓囟 丕賱卮毓乇 丕毓胤丕賳賷 卮毓賵乇丕 亘賯乇亘 丕賱賰丕鬲亘丞 賲賳 丿賷賳賴丕 賵賲噩鬲賲毓賴丕 亘乇睾賲 賳賯賲賴丕 毓賱賶 丕賱馗賵丕賴乇 丕賱爻賱亘賷丞
September 1, 2008
This author has watched and adored Sex and the City so much that she decided to write her own book about it, with the backdrop of Riyadh instead of Manhattan. No, it doesn't say that anywhere in the book, but it's obvious enough from reading it.
So, four superficial girls with too much money, who can't appreciate the lives and opportunities they have (I boldly assume it's better to be filthy rich in Saudi Arabia, as the characters are, than poor), whine about equally superficial stories, including men and the constraints of their oppressive society. Could be more interesting if not completely contrived, and in my opinion, made up in the author's Carrie-Miranda-Charlotte-Samantha worshiping mind.
I hate Sex and the City, but at least the show asks a few interesting questions like, can you be friends with an ex? or, are all men freaks? This book just backs up most womens' stereotypes of Islamic/Saudi society (uhh, it sucks, esp. if you're a woman) and offers no insights at all.
LAME. SUCKED.
So, four superficial girls with too much money, who can't appreciate the lives and opportunities they have (I boldly assume it's better to be filthy rich in Saudi Arabia, as the characters are, than poor), whine about equally superficial stories, including men and the constraints of their oppressive society. Could be more interesting if not completely contrived, and in my opinion, made up in the author's Carrie-Miranda-Charlotte-Samantha worshiping mind.
I hate Sex and the City, but at least the show asks a few interesting questions like, can you be friends with an ex? or, are all men freaks? This book just backs up most womens' stereotypes of Islamic/Saudi society (uhh, it sucks, esp. if you're a woman) and offers no insights at all.
LAME. SUCKED.
September 13, 2017
I don't know how I should rate this book. Does a disappointing end weight more or less than an enjoyable book till this end?
It was a quick read and interesting. what was interesting was not that I learned a lot about saudi society because I knew nothing about it and not that I realized how saudi society resembles every other society that is not religious but the interesting part was that the saudi writer of this book is pretty sure that saudi society is different and specialy extreme. for example Sadeem, one of the characters tells us about women that men doesn't want to marry:
And there were other observations about saudi men and saudi women but I am not saudi and these observation I can also make where I live.
All in all, It is a very heteronormative book. all the characters are young women looking for a man to marry and there was a huge emphasis on how people look. Everyone there falls in love because the other one is so pretty. All the men in this book are secondary characters but are the center of the existance of the main characters. But there are nice observations that I could really relate to ;) like:
Anyway, the end was disappointing and there were also 2 appearances of transphobia and fatphobia, who did bother me a lot but I still finished the book to the end. I would say maybe 3.5 stars
It was a quick read and interesting. what was interesting was not that I learned a lot about saudi society because I knew nothing about it and not that I realized how saudi society resembles every other society that is not religious but the interesting part was that the saudi writer of this book is pretty sure that saudi society is different and specialy extreme. for example Sadeem, one of the characters tells us about women that men doesn't want to marry:
"Men who came from this part of the world, Sadeem decided, were by nature proud and jealous creatures. They sensed danger when face to face with females who might present a challenge to there capabilities. Naturally, such men would prefer to marry a woman with only a very modest education... "
And there were other observations about saudi men and saudi women but I am not saudi and these observation I can also make where I live.
All in all, It is a very heteronormative book. all the characters are young women looking for a man to marry and there was a huge emphasis on how people look. Everyone there falls in love because the other one is so pretty. All the men in this book are secondary characters but are the center of the existance of the main characters. But there are nice observations that I could really relate to ;) like:
"Apparently, all men were the same. It was like God had given them different faces just so that women would be able to tell them apart"
Anyway, the end was disappointing and there were also 2 appearances of transphobia and fatphobia, who did bother me a lot but I still finished the book to the end. I would say maybe 3.5 stars
October 21, 2015
賱賲 丕毓鬲亘乇 賯乇丕卅鬲賴丕 賲囟賷毓賴 賱賱賵賯鬲 賵賱賰賳賷 鬲毓賱賲鬲 賲賳賴丕 丕賳 賴賳丕賰 賲賳 賷乇賷丿 丕賱氐毓賵丿 毓賱賶 丕賰鬲丕賮 丕賱賲乇丕賴. 乇賵丕賷賴 毓賯賷賲賴 爻賷卅賴 丕賱賴丿賮 賵丕賱賱睾賴. (禺丕賱賮 鬲毓乇賮) 賵 (丕賱賲賲賳賵毓 賲乇睾賵亘) 賴賵 丕賱胤乇賷賯 丕賱匕賷 爻賱賰 賲賳 賳馗乇賷 賱賱賵氐賵賱 亘爻乇毓賴 丕賱賶 丕爻賲 賰丕鬲亘 賲卮賴賵乇
January 21, 2013
毓賱賶 乇睾賲 賲賳 乇賰丕賰丞 丕賱賱睾丞 賱丿賷賴丕 廿賱丕 兀賳賴丕丕賳鬲賯丿鬲 亘賵囟賵丨 賵噩乇兀丞貙 丕賱賯賷賲 丕賱丕噩鬲賲丕毓賷丞 賵丕賱丿賷賳賷丞 賵丕賱兀賴賲 賲賳 匕賱賰 丨丿賷孬賴丕 毓賳 丕賱氐乇丕毓 丕賱胤丕卅賮賷 丕賱賲爻賰賵鬲 毓賳賴 賮賷 賲噩鬲賲毓賴丕 賵賳馗乇丞 乇噩賱 丕賱卮乇賯賷 賵禺氐賵氐丕 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷 賱賱賲乇兀丞
June 29, 2013
兀賵賱丕: 賲毓馗賲 賲丕 賯賷賱 賱賷 毓賳 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賰丕賳 賲噩乇丿 兀賵賴丕賲 睾賷乇 賲賳胤賯賷丞 賵丕鬲賴丕賲丕鬲 睾賷乇 丨賯賷賯賷丞.. 賮賲丕 兀賵乇丿鬲賴 乇噩丕亍 丕賱氐丕賳毓 噩夭亍 賲賳 丨賯賷賯丞 兀賷 卮毓亘 賵廿賳 賰丕賳 賵囟毓 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷 賲禺鬲賱賮丕 賳賵毓丕 賲丕, 禺丕氐丞 兀賳賴 賷馗賴乇 亘氐賮鬲賴 賲噩鬲賲毓丕 賲丨丕賮馗丕.
賲賳 賰孬乇丞 賲丕 賵氐賱鬲賳賷 (賲賳 賮鬲賷丕鬲 賲賳 丕賱乇賷丕囟) 鬲丨匕賷乇丕鬲 賵鬲賵氐賷丕鬲 亘兀賳 賱丕 兀賯乇兀 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 _賱兀賳賴丕 賮丕丨卮丞 賵亘匕賷卅丞_ 鬲賵賯毓鬲 兀賳 兀卮丕賴丿 賮賷賱賲丕 爻賷卅丕 噩丿丕, 賱賰賳賳賷 鬲賮丕噩兀鬲 亘兀賳賴丕 毓丕丿賷丞, 毓丕丿賷丞 噩丿丕.
乇亘賲丕 丕卮鬲賴乇鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賱賲噩乇丿 兀賳賴丕 噩乇賷卅丞, 賱賷爻鬲 噩乇賷卅丞 賱兀賳賴丕 鬲丨丿孬鬲 毓賳 賮囟丕卅丨, 賵賱賰賳賴丕 噩乇賷卅丞 賱兀賳賴丕 賳丕賯卮鬲 兀賲乇丕 賱賲 賷賳丕賯卮賴 兀丨丿 賯亘賱賴丕.
兀禺賷乇丕: 兀毓賱賲 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賱丕 鬲賲孬賱 賮鬲賷丕鬲 亘賱丕丿 丕賱丨乇賲賷賳 賵鬲丨丿賷丿丕 "亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟" 賵賴匕丕 賲丕 賯丕賱鬲賴 丕賱賲丐賱賮丞 賳賮爻賴丕, 賰賲丕 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賯氐氐 賱丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯 賰賱賲丞 乇賵丕賷丞, 賴賷 賲噩乇丿 "丕賷賲賱丕鬲 " 賵賴匕丕 乇兀賷 丕賱賰丕鬲亘丞 兀賷囟丕. 胤亘毓丕 賰丕賳 賷賲賰賳賴丕 丕賳 鬲禺鬲丕乇 丕爻賲丕 丌禺乇 賰賷 賱丕 鬲賯毓 賮賷 禺胤兀 丕賱鬲毓賲賷賲.
亘丕賱賲賳丕爻亘丞, 兀賮賰乇 亘賰鬲丕亘丞 賯氐氐 賯氐賷乇丞 毓賳 賮鬲賷丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟, 乇亘賲丕 賱丕丨賯丕 飦�
賲賳 賰孬乇丞 賲丕 賵氐賱鬲賳賷 (賲賳 賮鬲賷丕鬲 賲賳 丕賱乇賷丕囟) 鬲丨匕賷乇丕鬲 賵鬲賵氐賷丕鬲 亘兀賳 賱丕 兀賯乇兀 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 _賱兀賳賴丕 賮丕丨卮丞 賵亘匕賷卅丞_ 鬲賵賯毓鬲 兀賳 兀卮丕賴丿 賮賷賱賲丕 爻賷卅丕 噩丿丕, 賱賰賳賳賷 鬲賮丕噩兀鬲 亘兀賳賴丕 毓丕丿賷丞, 毓丕丿賷丞 噩丿丕.
乇亘賲丕 丕卮鬲賴乇鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賱賲噩乇丿 兀賳賴丕 噩乇賷卅丞, 賱賷爻鬲 噩乇賷卅丞 賱兀賳賴丕 鬲丨丿孬鬲 毓賳 賮囟丕卅丨, 賵賱賰賳賴丕 噩乇賷卅丞 賱兀賳賴丕 賳丕賯卮鬲 兀賲乇丕 賱賲 賷賳丕賯卮賴 兀丨丿 賯亘賱賴丕.
兀禺賷乇丕: 兀毓賱賲 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賱丕 鬲賲孬賱 賮鬲賷丕鬲 亘賱丕丿 丕賱丨乇賲賷賳 賵鬲丨丿賷丿丕 "亘賳丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟" 賵賴匕丕 賲丕 賯丕賱鬲賴 丕賱賲丐賱賮丞 賳賮爻賴丕, 賰賲丕 兀賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賯氐氐 賱丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯 賰賱賲丞 乇賵丕賷丞, 賴賷 賲噩乇丿 "丕賷賲賱丕鬲 " 賵賴匕丕 乇兀賷 丕賱賰丕鬲亘丞 兀賷囟丕. 胤亘毓丕 賰丕賳 賷賲賰賳賴丕 丕賳 鬲禺鬲丕乇 丕爻賲丕 丌禺乇 賰賷 賱丕 鬲賯毓 賮賷 禺胤兀 丕賱鬲毓賲賷賲.
亘丕賱賲賳丕爻亘丞, 兀賮賰乇 亘賰鬲丕亘丞 賯氐氐 賯氐賷乇丞 毓賳 賮鬲賷丕鬲 丕賱乇賷丕囟, 乇亘賲丕 賱丕丨賯丕 飦�
July 8, 2017
Nothing that you haven't read before and definitely not as scandalous as everyone think it is.
March 18, 2015
乇賵丕賷丞 賲噩丿賴丕 丕賱丕毓賱丕賲 亘胤乇賷賯丞 賲孬賷乇丞 丕賱賮囟賵賱
賵賱丕 兀馗賳 丕賳 噩賴丕亘匕丞 丕賱兀丿亘丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘 賲賳 兀賲孬丕賱
賳噩賷亘 賲丨賮賵馗 賵氐賳毓 丕賱賱賴 廿亘乇丕賴賷賲 賵毓亘丿丕賱乇丨賲賳 賲賳賷賮 賵噩亘乇丕 廿亘乇丕賴賷賲 噩亘乇丕 賵睾賷乇賴賲
賱丕 兀馗賳 兀賳 兀賷 賲賳 兀丿亘丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘 毓賱賶 賲乇 丕賱毓氐賵乇 賯丿 丨馗賷 亘賴匕丕 丕賱賰賲 賲賳 丕賱丿毓丕賷丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賵丕賱丕賴鬲賲丕賲 !!!!
丕孬丕乇鬲 丕賱囟噩丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賵丕賱丕乇丕亍 丕賱賲鬲囟丕乇亘丞 亘賷賳 賲丐賷丿 賵賲毓丕乇囟 丕賴鬲賲丕賲賷 賵鬲丨賲爻鬲 賰孬賷乇丕 丕賯乇丕亍丞 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞
賵賴賳丕 賰丕賳鬲 賱丨馗丞 丕賱丨賯賷賯丞... 賱賲 丕噩丿 賱睾丞 賲賲賷夭丞...賵賱丕 賲毓丕賱噩丞 賱賯囟賷丞...賵賱丕 丨鬲賷 丕賷 毓賳氐乇 丕孬丕乇丞 賵鬲卮賵賷賯... 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賲賰鬲賵亘丞 亘胤乇賷賯丞 鬲毓鬲賲丿 毓賱賶 丕賱賳賲賷賲丞 賵賰卮賮 毓賵乇丕鬲 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 亘兀爻賱賵亘 鬲噩丕乇賷 乇禺賷氐. 賵賴賷 賲賱禺氐 賱賯氐氐 賷鬲賲 鬲丿丕賵賱賴丕 賮賷 噩賱爻丕鬲 丕賱賳賲賷賲丞 丕賱賳爻丕卅賷丞.
賵賴賳丕 鬲爻丕賱鬲 賲噩丿丿丕 毓賳 爻亘亘 丕賱囟噩丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賮賵噩丿鬲賴 鬲噩丕乇賷 亘丨鬲.
賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 鬲匕賰乇賳賷 亘賲噩丕賱丕鬲 丕賱氐丨丕賮丞 丕賱氐賮乇丕亍 賰孬賷乇丕
賵賯丿 賳噩丿 兀賳賮爻賳丕 賮賷 夭賲賳 丕賱乇賵賷丕鬲 丕賱氐賮乇丕亍 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇賵賷 丕丨丿丕孬 丕賱賱賷丕賱賷 丕賱丨賲乇丕亍
賵亘丕賱胤亘毓 賴乇毓 丕賱睾乇亘 賱鬲乇噩賲鬲賴丕 賵賴賲 賷賯賵賱賵賳
(卮賴丿 卮丕賴丿 賲賳 兀賴賱賴丕).
賵賷噩丿賵賳 賮賷 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賲丕 賱匕 賵胤丕亘 賲賳 賯氐氐 丕賱鬲禺賱賮 賮賷 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷!
卮賰乇賸丕 乇噩丕亍 亘賷囟 丕賱賱賴 賵噩賴賰.
賵賱丕 兀馗賳 丕賳 噩賴丕亘匕丞 丕賱兀丿亘丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘 賲賳 兀賲孬丕賱
賳噩賷亘 賲丨賮賵馗 賵氐賳毓 丕賱賱賴 廿亘乇丕賴賷賲 賵毓亘丿丕賱乇丨賲賳 賲賳賷賮 賵噩亘乇丕 廿亘乇丕賴賷賲 噩亘乇丕 賵睾賷乇賴賲
賱丕 兀馗賳 兀賳 兀賷 賲賳 兀丿亘丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘 毓賱賶 賲乇 丕賱毓氐賵乇 賯丿 丨馗賷 亘賴匕丕 丕賱賰賲 賲賳 丕賱丿毓丕賷丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賵丕賱丕賴鬲賲丕賲 !!!!
丕孬丕乇鬲 丕賱囟噩丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賵丕賱丕乇丕亍 丕賱賲鬲囟丕乇亘丞 亘賷賳 賲丐賷丿 賵賲毓丕乇囟 丕賴鬲賲丕賲賷 賵鬲丨賲爻鬲 賰孬賷乇丕 丕賯乇丕亍丞 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞
賵賴賳丕 賰丕賳鬲 賱丨馗丞 丕賱丨賯賷賯丞... 賱賲 丕噩丿 賱睾丞 賲賲賷夭丞...賵賱丕 賲毓丕賱噩丞 賱賯囟賷丞...賵賱丕 丨鬲賷 丕賷 毓賳氐乇 丕孬丕乇丞 賵鬲卮賵賷賯... 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賲賰鬲賵亘丞 亘胤乇賷賯丞 鬲毓鬲賲丿 毓賱賶 丕賱賳賲賷賲丞 賵賰卮賮 毓賵乇丕鬲 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 亘兀爻賱賵亘 鬲噩丕乇賷 乇禺賷氐. 賵賴賷 賲賱禺氐 賱賯氐氐 賷鬲賲 鬲丿丕賵賱賴丕 賮賷 噩賱爻丕鬲 丕賱賳賲賷賲丞 丕賱賳爻丕卅賷丞.
賵賴賳丕 鬲爻丕賱鬲 賲噩丿丿丕 毓賳 爻亘亘 丕賱囟噩丞 丕賱廿毓賱丕賲賷丞 賮賵噩丿鬲賴 鬲噩丕乇賷 亘丨鬲.
賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 鬲匕賰乇賳賷 亘賲噩丕賱丕鬲 丕賱氐丨丕賮丞 丕賱氐賮乇丕亍 賰孬賷乇丕
賵賯丿 賳噩丿 兀賳賮爻賳丕 賮賷 夭賲賳 丕賱乇賵賷丕鬲 丕賱氐賮乇丕亍 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇賵賷 丕丨丿丕孬 丕賱賱賷丕賱賷 丕賱丨賲乇丕亍
賵亘丕賱胤亘毓 賴乇毓 丕賱睾乇亘 賱鬲乇噩賲鬲賴丕 賵賴賲 賷賯賵賱賵賳
(卮賴丿 卮丕賴丿 賲賳 兀賴賱賴丕).
賵賷噩丿賵賳 賮賷 賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丕賷丞 賲丕 賱匕 賵胤丕亘 賲賳 賯氐氐 丕賱鬲禺賱賮 賮賷 丕賱賲噩鬲賲毓 丕賱爻毓賵丿賷!
卮賰乇賸丕 乇噩丕亍 亘賷囟 丕賱賱賴 賵噩賴賰.
December 26, 2007
I like this book as it gives a portratit of "some" of the Saudi girls' lives and views. We are used to non-Saudis writing about Saudis and imposing thier own points of view. Assanea is a Saudi writing about a generation she knows very well, for a change!
February 17, 2009
I saw this book in the bookstore's brochure, and heck I didn't even bother to know what it talks about [title issues:]. But a friend of mine bought it and brought it to school so I actually started reading the first few pages, only out of curiosity.
The story and the plot are okay, but not for the kind of purpose and the kind of place the book is meant for. The author wants to reveal to those in the West how the girls of Saudi Arabia go beyond the limits of their religion and rules and perform acts that go with those performed in the West, proving how the Girls of Riyadh are "sophisticated and open-minded".
Personally, I would call anyone with that type of thinking a "wanna-be". This author was motivated by a shameful attitude toward her religion and country; she has a longing to belong to the Western society that she would do anything to gain their acceptance. Again, my only rejection is the message she wants to convey, not the plot, and not the author's ideas.
The story and the plot are okay, but not for the kind of purpose and the kind of place the book is meant for. The author wants to reveal to those in the West how the girls of Saudi Arabia go beyond the limits of their religion and rules and perform acts that go with those performed in the West, proving how the Girls of Riyadh are "sophisticated and open-minded".
Personally, I would call anyone with that type of thinking a "wanna-be". This author was motivated by a shameful attitude toward her religion and country; she has a longing to belong to the Western society that she would do anything to gain their acceptance. Again, my only rejection is the message she wants to convey, not the plot, and not the author's ideas.
July 1, 2018
This book is edible. I just couldn鈥檛 put it down. I think the best and worst thing about it was its format, which is written as blog-like emails introducing each very short section following one of the four girlfriends of the novel. While the emails emulate something informal and ritualistic in many of our daily lives, making it easy to slip into each segment, the segments themselves hop from one character to the next and are only a few pages long. The book doesn鈥檛 really read as disjunct but because it is so broken up it would鈥檝e helped if each section that switched characters was a bit longer. Otherwise, I was thoroughly engaged by the characters as well as each of their commentaries on the politics of love and marriage in Saudi culture. I would absolutely recommend this and was sunk in every minute of it.
July 6, 2013
鬲賯乇兀 賱賲乇賴 賵丕丨丿賴 賮賷 丕賱丨賷丕賴
孬賲 鬲賳爻賶
賰賲乇囟 丕賱噩丿乇賷 丕賱匕賷 賷氐賷亘 丕賱廿賳爻丕賳
賲乇賴 賵丕丨丿賴 亘丕賱毓賲乇
賵賷氐亘丨 匕賰乇賶
孬賲 鬲賳爻賶
賰賲乇囟 丕賱噩丿乇賷 丕賱匕賷 賷氐賷亘 丕賱廿賳爻丕賳
賲乇賴 賵丕丨丿賴 亘丕賱毓賲乇
賵賷氐亘丨 匕賰乇賶
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