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In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta A. Ahmed
kleonard's review against another edition
2.0
Poorly written and not edited nearly enough, but fascinating nonetheless on many levels.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I learned a lot about Saudi Arabia - from the standpoint of a professional women. There was more detail about fashion and other designer stuff than I cared about but I very much appreciated the cultural stories and experiences the author shared. I also found it frightening that western educated, smart people could be so prejudiced and culturally insular. An enlightening read.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
1.0
This was a bookclub choice - the person who chose it did not attend so do not know why they chose it as it is outdated.
The author came across as superficial in her assessment of everyone she met based on their looks but she was informative on Islam.
The author came across as superficial in her assessment of everyone she met based on their looks but she was informative on Islam.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
When Qanta A. Ahmed, MD. was a little girl, her and her family moved to England. Her family is Muslim. While growing up Qanta was free to live and dress how she wanted, although her mother did wear the traditional abbayah. Qanta attended the University of Nottingham Medical School where she earned her medical degree. To Qanta’s surprise the government will not extend Qanta’s visa to stay any longer. So she heads back to her homeland, where she experiences a culture shock.
First there are the women covered from head to toe, women should not go anywhere alone as this is just asking for trouble, and the men are in charge of everything. For Qanta she was not used to this, so everything was a new experience for her, even though she was Muslim. Qanta kind of expected that when she returned to her homeland that she would be accepted right away and that was not the case.
Qanta shares her journey as well as the lessons she learned in her memoir titled In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom. I found this indepth look into a country I knew little about to be intriguing. I got to read how the people there lived and how it was if you were a woman. Qanta is very courageous for standing up for what she believed in, as it was not a easy task. Qanta found herself in a country she herself has barley known. As far as memoirs go In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom is a very good one.
First there are the women covered from head to toe, women should not go anywhere alone as this is just asking for trouble, and the men are in charge of everything. For Qanta she was not used to this, so everything was a new experience for her, even though she was Muslim. Qanta kind of expected that when she returned to her homeland that she would be accepted right away and that was not the case.
Qanta shares her journey as well as the lessons she learned in her memoir titled In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom. I found this indepth look into a country I knew little about to be intriguing. I got to read how the people there lived and how it was if you were a woman. Qanta is very courageous for standing up for what she believed in, as it was not a easy task. Qanta found herself in a country she herself has barley known. As far as memoirs go In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom is a very good one.
kpjt_books's review against another edition
3.0
The writing is not polished and it is written more like a journal - jumping from topic to topic - than a novel, but the subject matter is fascinating.
The author is rather opinionated, which does color some of her observations and not necessarily in a derogatory way, but you definitely get a sense of who she is and what she believes in through her observations of others.
The descriptions - of which there are many - can be tedious. I understand that she is trying to create a very clear picture of her subjects and surroundings, but as a reader you sometimes wish she'd stop looking around so much and talk more about her relationships with her subjects.
The author is rather opinionated, which does color some of her observations and not necessarily in a derogatory way, but you definitely get a sense of who she is and what she believes in through her observations of others.
The descriptions - of which there are many - can be tedious. I understand that she is trying to create a very clear picture of her subjects and surroundings, but as a reader you sometimes wish she'd stop looking around so much and talk more about her relationships with her subjects.
kim_chelf's review against another edition
5.0
Another inspiring look at what women living in some Arabic countries face. To see this way of life through the eyes of a western women who is Muslim is extraordinary. Her respect for the faith is there, but she certainly find many of the more restrictive laws to be outlandish. Still, as she learns to love the land and women there, we do too. It is really a unique book that could have only been written by this particular author. I will never look at the women I see on TV covered from head to toe the same way again.
jennanderson's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting book. I did not really enjoy her fragmented writing style, and frequently felt that she was very confused and conflicted about her own opinions; but maybe that was just a product of the culture. I was hoping there would be more medical content then there was and got a little bit bored reading so much about her own religious enlightenment. Her cultural experiences there were very interesting though.
coldprintcoffee's review against another edition
4.0
This novel absolutely blew me away and rattled a cage of ignorance. People usually have an idea of Saudi Arabia that may or may not be a precise and accurate narrative, and even those who do have to wade through garbage to find the truth, if there is such a simple thing. Like many cultures, a staggering amount of complexity, layered and woven tightly, makes it difficult to grasp the many attitudes and conflicting social ideas, classes, and realities. Qanta is aware of her privilege, but I do not believe that is the only idea at the forefront - fractured slivers of cultures who are determined to rule the roost and promote classism at any cost, the convoluted sexism as well as currents of feminist ideas and changes flowing throughout. I felt jarring emotions that were in line with Qanta's perspective as well. One minute I had a sliver of hope and change, and in the next line it is dashed with strongly reinforced religious and cultural notions.
This acquainted me deeply with Islam tradition, particularly how religion and society functions and expresses itself in the context of Saudi Arabia. Though these experiences were years ago and the area has been tumultuous with social change, it is definitely clear how ingrained a way of life is and how long it will take to change it, even when covered with social movements. The roots go deep. At the end, I truly don't know how I feel, but it has most certainly prompted me to move forward and learn more about a culture, religion, and world that feels so incredibly foreign. Strands of commonality and universality seem rare, but I believe that there are more if we self-reflect honestly.
Finally, I enjoy the duality and multifaceted issue of identity. As immigration becomes more prevalent all around the world, people are connected and form relationships among those quite removed and "foreign" from themselves, learning needs to be a key factor in the progression of social improvement. One minute there is a sense of solidarity, and it can scattered in an instant and someone is left alone. It's mind-boggling. Identity is as layered as anything else, and in the end is the convoluted product of gender, role, class, self-identification as well as all the labels bestowed on you by others. All in all, could have used a little more editing for clarity (hence 4 stars), but a great recollection and decent introduction to a place that is confusing and a sprawling melting pot of people, culture, and religion.
This acquainted me deeply with Islam tradition, particularly how religion and society functions and expresses itself in the context of Saudi Arabia. Though these experiences were years ago and the area has been tumultuous with social change, it is definitely clear how ingrained a way of life is and how long it will take to change it, even when covered with social movements. The roots go deep. At the end, I truly don't know how I feel, but it has most certainly prompted me to move forward and learn more about a culture, religion, and world that feels so incredibly foreign. Strands of commonality and universality seem rare, but I believe that there are more if we self-reflect honestly.
Finally, I enjoy the duality and multifaceted issue of identity. As immigration becomes more prevalent all around the world, people are connected and form relationships among those quite removed and "foreign" from themselves, learning needs to be a key factor in the progression of social improvement. One minute there is a sense of solidarity, and it can scattered in an instant and someone is left alone. It's mind-boggling. Identity is as layered as anything else, and in the end is the convoluted product of gender, role, class, self-identification as well as all the labels bestowed on you by others. All in all, could have used a little more editing for clarity (hence 4 stars), but a great recollection and decent introduction to a place that is confusing and a sprawling melting pot of people, culture, and religion.
kastasi's review against another edition
2.0
This book is terribly written. The author describes every single detail of everything her senses encounter in Saudi Arabia. It's very novice writing. She also needs a thesaurus and to stick to one topic at a time. Finally, this book feels like a thinly veiled tutorial in Islam. I don't believe that half of the conversations about Islam she describes actually took place because it's just too much like a defense of her faith. I did finish this book because I was interested in women's role in Saudi culture, but there has to be a better book than this about the subject.