Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arab by Jean Sasson

3 reviews

siushi's review

dark sad fast-paced

Updating my review after some thought;

Even if this novel isn’t true or entirely true, it’s still an important book, because all the things mentioned in it do happen in the world. And in all parts of the world, not just in the Middle East. Perhaps on a smaller scale, but nevertheless, a million unfair impediments exist in a woman’s life that stop her from achieving her fullest potential and her happiness. I’m deleting the rating as well because this is real life and it cannot be minimized to a few stars.

Old review;

At first, I was really into it. Then it all started to feel like too much? It was very cinematic and became harder and harder to believe. No doubt women go through this kind of abuse and oppression in all parts of the world, but especially in that part. But I also looked into the lawsuits against Sasson, claiming she had plagiarized someone else? So the credibility of the book is a little shaky. 

My other major complaint is that the book reeked of white savior complex. It got really insufferable towards the end. 

But if this story is true, then, well, Sultana is iconic. 

Worth the read, imo. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Violence

yazzoreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

2.75

i question the authenticity of this being story being from a saudi senior princess. even tho her name is allegedly changed, i don’t see how her story would be able to exist and her safety guaranteed. also sasson was sued for plagerism on this novel tho settled out of court i believe.  i would say this reads more like sensational fiction then a memoir and being set from the 50s, 60s, 70s some of the events are not hard to believe and do not surprise me but at the same time the writing isn’t groundbreaking and doesn’t serve ‘sultana’ justice. being written by an american author who allegedly befriends a saudi princess leads to many cases of orientalist tropes being employed from a writer in a position of power- from the ability to tell the story to her race and nationality over ‘princess sultana’. 

the stories in this book are traumatising and a tw rly should be noted for its graphic violence and sa. it is a ‘page turner’ and very fast paced and does give an insight into the struggles (or potential struggles if not buying into the authenticity of the novel) of women in sultanas position but i would say is no where near representative of women today in the middle east. i can see the damage this book can do for those reading with no prior knowledge of the region other than sensationalised media and damaging oritentalist thought. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Islamophobia, Violence, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Suicide attempt and Slavery

johannslauren15's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed reading about women's lives in Saudi Arabia. My sister recommended me this book from her friends and it did not disappoint. Although, a lot of what my suspicions of what women were treating like in Saudi Arabia we're true, it was so interesting how she felt and reacted seeing it through her perspective. I would warn this book really talks about some heartbreaking and devastating stories that happen to women. If you are sensitive to any sexual assault or abuse would caution away from this book. Otherwise, highly recommend if you love to read and learn about other cultures and women's roles in the Middle East.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Violence, Torture, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Gore, War, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Classism, and Hate crime

Minor: Religious bigotry, Infertility, and Abandonment