Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

[Siwi]

Story of a Saudi Princess.

How has she got away with writing a book that is so damning of the Kingdom?

[DesertOrDessert]

Just checking in. Downloaded the other day. It got through the firewall!!!

[Siwi]

I'm about to start the fourth.
Not sure what to say.
:(

[DesertOrDessert]

I read most of it on the plane yesterday. There are many more periods like you've just read, but also signs of promise, many of which seem to have happened. It's the stuff behind closed doors which is harder to deal with for me. The open environment doesn't show it to the level the book shows. And the domestic workers I've come across are very happy. Maybe because they are in a western compound, and we treat them differently. The behind closed doors bit is what has been an eye opener to me. It's not the KSA I see day to day.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I've downloaded it but not started it yet

[GameOfGroans]

Amazing book, that I read when I was younger and has inspired an obsession with women's rights in Saudi and other Arab countries. She got away with it as her family protected her, more out of fear of exposure rather than love for her.

[DesertOrDessert]

Finished.
Next 3 ordered. Been an eye opener to what goes on behind closed doors.
I wonder what horrors happen behind closed doors in other places where domestic workers are common, and even in places like the UK where human/womens rights are strong.

[rosebiggs]

Why did she go back to Saudi Arabia after she left her husband?
She successfully escaped with her children and had plenty of money.

[rosebiggs]

DesertOrDessert - you live/work in Saudi Arabia?

[DesertOrDessert]

Live, yes.

[DesertOrDessert]

I suspect she "came home". KSA is a place unlike any other. Whilst I would move back to the UK in a flash when they are recruiting not making redundancies my holiday there recently was noisy and almost overwhelmingly bright compared to here.
She also loves her husband.

And still loved her husband.

[rosebiggs]

Yes she loved her husband, but based on what is written in her book she was also very aware that she would have little influence over her children's lives, particularly her daughter's. Why would she take her children back if she had another option?

[Siwi]

Can anyone recommend further reading?
I read a book by an ex-pat but it didn't offer any new insight.

[DesertOrDessert]

I've just started Princess 2, Daughters of Arabia. It suggests she came back to try and change things for those not fortunate enough to be able to get out.

Girls of Ryiadh has been suggested to me.