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| In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom | 
 enlarge | Author: Qanta A. Ahmed
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $8.46
You Save: $6.53 (44%)
Buy New/Used from $8.14
Avg. Customer Rating:  (32 reviews)
Sales Rank: 16352
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1.3
ISBN: 1402210876
Dewey Decimal Number: 610.82092
EAN: 9781402210877
ASIN: 1402210876
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Beautifully written book November 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the best written and most interesting books I have read. Dr. Ahmed shares her insights into the culture of Saudi Arabia, both public and private, and into Islam. I bought the book after an intriguing interview with the author on NPR. I took an interest in the book because I am a physician, but it would appeal to anyone outside of healthcare as well. I hope that Dr. Ahmed continues to write because she is a very talented writer as well as a talented physician.
 In the Land of Invisible Women November 24, 2008
Qanta Ahmed tells her story about her time in Saudi Arabia, focusing for the most part on the lives of women in the country. Whether they are her colleagues, friends, maids, or women she encounters in the hospital, she discovers that her first impressions of Saudi women are not very often accurate.
The reactions of the Saudi people are not always what she expects, especially in social situations. There are times when she commits unknown gaffes, and then times of unexpected kindness and generosity from those who know that she is not aware of what is proper.
It was interesting to read an account from a western Muslim woman's point of view on living in Saudi Arabia, and dealing with the strict religious rules that are enforced there. It is impossible not to be outraged at the way the women are treated as lesser citizens, but I appreciated that the author also pointed out the negative effects the rules have on the men as well.
Some of the subjects discussed in the book:
Being stared at by men
The hassles of being veiled
The protection of being veiled
An Account of the Hajj
Racial prejudices within Saudi Arabia
How the Mutawaeen enforce the religious laws
Difficulties of romance when men and women are always separated
Saudi Arabian reactions to 9/11
The author did a good job of explaining the history of Saudi Arabia leading up to her stay, so that the reader would understand how things came to be the way they are now. She also gives an in-depth accounting of her first trip to Mecca (Hajj) and the profound effect it had on her faith as a Muslim.
It was fascinating to learn that a lot of the rules that the Mutawaeen (religious police) enforce in regards to women, are relatively recent additions. The author makes a point of emphasizing the roles that women have had throughout history in Islam, and how they have had their rights, which are granted to them by Islam, stripped away.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. At times I thought the writing got a little bit too flowery, with many metaphors and similes used in her descriptions, but it was a very informative book about the lives of women in Saudi Arabia.
Review November 23, 2008
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 in depth 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 an 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.
Extremely interesting read!! November 20, 2008
Reading this book really opened my eyes on life in "the kingdom" Very detailed and interesting perspective from the author's point of view.
For one who has only heard opinions and experiences of other's, a first hand account really made it worth my while reading this book. I would certainly recommend this to anyone interested in the culture, religion and life style discussed openly and in detail in this book.Surely a worthy purchase and read.
Recommned for Book Club November 20, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Dr Ahmed's personal memoir of her two years work in Riyad hospital made for a lively discussion in our book club.
Learnt a lot about Saudi Culture and was reminded once again about disparities that still exist between men and women. The author embraces the teachings and beauty of Islam but soon discovers the challenges facing her as a moderate muslim women in the land of Wahabism.
J Fernandes
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