Scan barcode
A review by siria
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta Ahmed
2.0
An interesting but uneven book, In the Land of Invisible Women is the account of two years spent by Ahmed—a woman born in Britain of Pakistani parents and trained in the USA—as a doctor in a Saudi hospital. As an insight into what it is like for a woman who both is and is not part of the prevailing culture—a Muslim from birth, she is more moderate in the expression of her religious beliefs than the Wahhabis who hold power in Saudi Arabia, and more used to living in multicultural societies—it is fascinating. Ahmed is quick to describe the oppressive laws and traditions which constrain life for Saudi women, while at the same time acknowledging their strengths and achievements, and that certain concepts which may seem alien and constricting to many women in the West—such as veiling—are regarded as liberating by many Saudi Muslim women.
Where the book falls down, and what made me give it only two stars, is how poorly it is written. The narrative meanders rather aimlessly, the description can be florid, and the dialogue hopelessly clunky. That, combined with the author's description of homosexuality in Saudi—there seem to be no lesbians, and gay male behaviour is motivated by the appeasement of an 'uncomfortable libido by seeking acquired homosexual behaviours'—made the book an interesting read, but not an engrossing or a trustworthy one.
Where the book falls down, and what made me give it only two stars, is how poorly it is written. The narrative meanders rather aimlessly, the description can be florid, and the dialogue hopelessly clunky. That, combined with the author's description of homosexuality in Saudi—there seem to be no lesbians, and gay male behaviour is motivated by the appeasement of an 'uncomfortable libido by seeking acquired homosexual behaviours'—made the book an interesting read, but not an engrossing or a trustworthy one.