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trin's review against another edition
2.0
All right, the truth is: I find most chick lit at least somewhat depressing. There are some funny, talented authors writing in the genre, but when the breadth of the plot is, "Will Mary Jane get her man? While wearing FABULOUS SHOES?" I can't help but feel a little bummed. Not that, in its own way, my own ideal plot isn't equally a shallow fantasy--"Will Mary Jane save the world from aliens/demons/Republicans/the mole people and get her man? While wearing FABULOUS SHOES?"--but at least in that version there's something else at stake. At least in that version (uh, when it's done well), Mary Jane gets to do stuff instead of merely have things happen to her.
If American/British/what have you chick lit depresses me, then Saudi Arabian chick lit is enough to make me near-suicidal. Perhaps I'm conducting a narrow read, but I felt like the stories of the women included in this book only confirmed my worst suspicions/fears/concerns about what life is like in Saudi Arabia for those with an XX chromosome. (This is a country where women cannot legally drive.) Alsanea tries to keep the tone light, but I found that even what the characters consider to be the sparkly good times got me down. You may blame at least part of this on my Eeyoreish tendencies, but I still think this book is pretty fucking bleak.
If American/British/what have you chick lit depresses me, then Saudi Arabian chick lit is enough to make me near-suicidal. Perhaps I'm conducting a narrow read, but I felt like the stories of the women included in this book only confirmed my worst suspicions/fears/concerns about what life is like in Saudi Arabia for those with an XX chromosome. (This is a country where women cannot legally drive.) Alsanea tries to keep the tone light, but I found that even what the characters consider to be the sparkly good times got me down. You may blame at least part of this on my Eeyoreish tendencies, but I still think this book is pretty fucking bleak.
filipafigas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kepics's review against another edition
5.0
the first book in a long time that i finished in less than a week.
hanzy's review against another edition
3.0
I've had a hard time reading this book without being judgemental. The writer does shed light on some idiocracies that exist in the society but of course, like every controversial book, it doesn't portray the entire picture. I liked the many poetical lines she's used and the writing style, with the narrator taking a sort've gossip girl's position and spilling all the beans through emails. However, these emails do present a certain perspective and certain realities that are often overlooked so it isn't entirely superficial and that's what led me to actually complete the book.
fbroom's review against another edition
4.0
i read this back in 2005/2006, the novel was something new, smart and fresh! I really had a blast reading it.
If i would re-evaluate this in 2011 i may change my rating :) but I won't :)
If i would re-evaluate this in 2011 i may change my rating :) but I won't :)
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Book club book with mom. I appreciate this book, but I was frustrated reading it, probably because I am a white American atheist woman.
madame_medusa's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4 for good measure.
I loved it. I'm sure if I could have read it in its original language, and been able to read Arabic, I would have loved it even more. Every character's heartbreak and reservations to any potential new relationship was all too familiar and I appreciated it.
I loved it. I'm sure if I could have read it in its original language, and been able to read Arabic, I would have loved it even more. Every character's heartbreak and reservations to any potential new relationship was all too familiar and I appreciated it.
cat_book_lady's review against another edition
3.0
When published, this banned book was scandalous and shocking about the secret lives of 4 women living in Saudi Arabia, and we are privileged to receive an intimate view that apparently embarasses and shames their culture for the world to see. Yet, I was the one who was "shocked", only because it was all so - normal, at least through a Western lens. "Shocking" to Americans and "shocking" to Saudi Arabians are very different types of "shocking".These were regular women with regular passions and desires for education, a good marriage, and to just have a loving family. They are no different than American women who love, feel grief and loss, who want to be their own person, and who want to figure out their own identity apart from and within all their friends and families. I was utterly surprised at how this was banned in Saudi Arabia because I simply - naively - do not regard these women's thoughts, feelings, and actions as somehow wrong or immoral. I find it interesting that the women as well as the men both deride Western culture with one hand, and then embrace it with the other. They love our music, our movies, clothing, TV, hairstyles, and makeup. They supposedly hate Western culture, but are irresistibly drawn to it, even sending their sons and daughters to America for a college education. The hypocrisy was clearly evident, and perhaps therein lies the scandal because the women not only had private lives, but the author exposes their desire for the blasphemous style of Western living. I received quite an education, and kudos to this brave, courageous writer who had the audacity to show the world the intimate lives of women in the Kingdom. I wasn't much of a fan of the style in which it was written through a series of emails, and at times sounded gossipy and whiny.