Princess Sultana's Daughters
by Jean Sasson
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Book Reviews of Princess Sultana's Daughters
Book Review: Unspeakable horrors
Summary: 5 Stars
"Princess Sultana's Daughters" is the second installment of Jean Sasson's trilogy about life as a woman in Saudi Arabia, as told to the author by Princess Sultana, a member of the royal family. This true story picks up shortly after the first book in the series, "Princess," left off. Although Sultana's husband, Kareem, is much more modern-thinking as far as the role of women in the Middle East is concerned, Sultana and her female family members still suffer greatly at the hands of the abuse and restrictions placed upon them by their male relatives. Now that Sultana's three children are older, her concern shifts from her own misfortunes to those of her daughters, Maha and Amani, who react to their oppressive situations in different disturbing ways. Even Sultana's son, Abdullah, is forced to make difficult decisions as a result of women's status in the country. Despite the many horrors that the women in Sultana's country face, most of the men in Saudi Arabia don't seem to care enough to speak out in an attempt to change the status quo.
I enjoyed this book very much. Sasson is an excellent writer and storyteller who vividly brings Sultana's world to life for the reader. Unfortunately, despite Sultana's wealth and apparent life of luxury, there is nothing glamorous or envious about the lives Saudi Arabian women lead. The women of the royal family may be rich, but their money is not their own, and they live each and every day at the will of their husbands or fathers, with absolutely no personal freedom. It's a horrific thing to imagine, and unfortunately, it's all true.
Book Review: Good continuation of Sultana's tale
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading the first book in this trilogy, naturally I had to continue on, so I bought books 2 and 3. While not quite as good as the first one, I enjoyed this book a lot. I understand that some of the negative reviewers don't like this book because they complain that some of the stuff can't be true, like having a lesbian lover or illegal firearms or such.
Just because something sounds crazy doesn't mean it can't happen. And keep in mind that this book also includes the disclaimer that some events have been altered. So there should be no surprise. Bad things happen to women, even in this 21st century of ours. Women have always been abused through the ages, and even in today's 'enlightened' age some parts of this world are still achingly backwards in many aspects, not just the Middle East.
It's interesting to read a memoir from a very rich person. Typically the biographies I read are of people with more modest means, and it's quite the experience to read about Sultana describing her activities or items - her daughters have millions of dollars with of expensive jewelry, they have fancy and fine palaces and armies of servants and so many different luxuries. Maha and Amani are lucky enough to have a father who treated them better than Sultana's own father did, but as this book really shows, money doesn't buy happiness. At least not for the women - it's shocking what some of these Saudi princes can get away with with enough money. It's an eye-opening book and a decent read in the Sultana trilogy.
Book Review: Good book, but not what I expected
Summary: 3 Stars
I thought Princess was a very well written, and engaging book. I had no idea that some of the things discussed in the book were taking place in other areas of our world, and felt humbled that I have taken my life of freedom so easily for granted.Sultana often makes mention of her desire to change her country for the better, and I picked up the second book expecting that I might read of ways that she has gone about making these changes. I realize that one person, let alone a woman in Saudi Arabia, cannot make these changes overnight, but I really did not see much evidence of what she is doing... just what it is she wants changed. I didn't find myself doubting any of the events she described in her second book, but I just felt that this book was written for shock value. Chapter after chapter is written of tragic events that have taken place and I finished reading the book feeling thoroughly discouraged. I do think we all need to be educated as to what is happening to women in this country, and maybe Sultana's intent is to bring about change by getting this word out to the world. I just wasn't as impressed with this book as I was the first. It is evident that Sultana is burdened by what is going on around her, and it seems that her husband supports her desire to advance women's rights, but yet they continue to live lives of amazing luxury while often standing aside and taking a hands off approach when tragedy befalls friends and family. This was a good book, but not filled with the info I was hoping to find.
Book Review: Memories
Summary: 4 Stars
I am an arabic young woman, and i loved the book. Princess Sultana conveys her opinions and she had the courage to stand up and tell the world what she was going through.Such activities of torture and harm which were described in the book, are not allowed in arabic countries and they are unacceptable in out faith as Muslims. Our Prophit Says that a boy and a girl are equal in everything.
As for the practice of having more than one wife has a reason, which is because of the need of a husband to have children if his wife is barren, so he marrys a woman other than his wife and he keeps his original wife for a very important reson and so that loved ones are not seperated , because having mistresses is not allowed in our faith. BUT that does not mean he is allowed to be unfair between wives (Ex. spending more time or money on one more than the other) , Islam INSISTS on the importance of fairness between wives. and that men who will not be fair with their wives are not allowed in islam to marry a second because he would be harming his wife.
Arabic women are educated and are working in very high positions. the world has changed a lot since her diary has been written and published, and arabic countries have became so much better. the things that sultana's family were doing are not right things, and they must not be mistaken to be the way that arabic families are. You must keep this in mind when reading this book.
Book Review: A Necessary Follow-up
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the first book in the "Princess" series and read this one soon after. At first, it was a bit less exciting than the first book in the trilogy, as it has far less shocking new stories and startling information about life in Saudi Arabia.
However, by the time I finished the book, I realized how important it was. While the first "Princess" book lights a fire in the reader as they feel Princess Sultana's rage with women's rights, "Princess Sultana's Daughters" demonstrates how difficult it is for anyone in Saudi Arabia to have an impact on the barbaric social norms. It is not merely an update on Princess Sultana's life, as she raises 3 teenagers, but rather it is an update on the fight for women's rights in Saudi Arabia. There are several stories of not only women, but also men, in the royal family who want to change many of the social customs that have been so long accepted; yet when they try to reason with authority, rebel against it, or even flee the country, they are most often met with a force greater than themselves, and horrifying consequences. Thus, they are often driven to accept the ways of the culture and keep their mouths shut as they grow old behind the veil.
In short, "Princess Sultana's Daughters" makes you realize that the battle is much harder and the future more grim than the first book would have you beleive. Sadly, it delivers a large dose of reality and a small amount of hope.