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wintrovia's review
4.0
Like most people, I'd read the news stories about the appalling working conditions and deaths of migrant workers in Qatar as part of their efforts to prepare for the upcoming World Cup so I was interested to read this book and learn more. As it happens, the books is far deeper and broader look at life in Qatar and it's better for that.
John McManus spends time in the city state and gets to know the lives of the people that live and work there. The day-to-day reality of life in Qatar is frequently grim, particularly for the migrants from poorer countries that facilitate the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy Qataris and Westerners. While McManus is even handed in documenting the (limp) attempts by the regime to improve labour standards, but the indignities and horrendous conditions many workers have to face do not put Qatar in a good light.
It's hard to say you've enjoyed reading such a book as it lifts the lid on such an unpleasant place. But it is intriguing to learn about a culture where suffering of the many for the indulgence of a few is baked into the fabric of society.
McManus admitted himself that he struggled to get close to Qatari nationals in the researching and writing of this book and for that reason their voice is missing from the narrative. This is a shame as it feels like a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding what life is like in Qatar. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
John McManus spends time in the city state and gets to know the lives of the people that live and work there. The day-to-day reality of life in Qatar is frequently grim, particularly for the migrants from poorer countries that facilitate the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy Qataris and Westerners. While McManus is even handed in documenting the (limp) attempts by the regime to improve labour standards, but the indignities and horrendous conditions many workers have to face do not put Qatar in a good light.
It's hard to say you've enjoyed reading such a book as it lifts the lid on such an unpleasant place. But it is intriguing to learn about a culture where suffering of the many for the indulgence of a few is baked into the fabric of society.
McManus admitted himself that he struggled to get close to Qatari nationals in the researching and writing of this book and for that reason their voice is missing from the narrative. This is a shame as it feels like a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding what life is like in Qatar. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book.