Sultana is a Saudi Arabian princess, a woman born to fabulous, uncountable wealth. She has four mansions on three continents, her own private jet, glittering jewels, designer dresses galore. But in reality she lives in a gilded cage. She has no freedom, no control over her own life, no value but as a bearer of sons. Hidden behind her black floor-length veil, she is a prisoner, jailed by her father, her husband, her sons, and her country.Sultana is a member of the Saudi royal family, closely related to the king. For the sake of her daughters, she has decided to take the risk of speaking out about the life of women in her country, regardless of their rank. She must hide her identity for fear that the religous leaders in her country would call for her death to punish her honesty. Only a woman in her position could possibly hope to escape from being revealed and punished, despite her cloak and anonymity.Sultana tells of her own life, from her turbulent childhood to her arranged marriage--a happy one until her husband decided to displace her by taking a second wife--and of the lives of her sisters, her friends and her servants. Although they share affection, confidences and an easy camaraderie within the confines of the women's quarters, they also share a history of appaling oppressions, everyday occurrences that in any other culture would be seen as shocking human rights violations; thirteen-year-old girls forced to marry men five times their age, young women killed by drowning, stoning, or isolation in the "women's room," a padded, windowless cell where women are confined with neither light nor conversation until death claims them.By speaking out, Sultana risks bringing the wrath of the Saudi establishment upon her head and te heads of her children. But by telling her story to Jean Sasson, Sultana has allowed us to see beyond the veils of this secret society, to the heart of a nation where sex, money, and power reign supreme.
Princess
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From Publishers Weekly
In this consistently gripping work, a Literary Guild alternate selection in cloth, the American-born Sasson recounts the life story of a Saudi princess she met while living in Saudi Arabia, offering a glimpse of the appalling conditions endured by even privileged women in the Middle East. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
One must keep in mind the context of time and place when reading this emotional and exciting book to alleviate some of the horror of the injustices endured by the women described here. Equality of men and women has not worked out in any society, but the status of women in Islam is more problematic in that canon law is applied according to the social climate. Consequently, countries influenced by the West, such as Egypt, are more relaxed than countries like Saudi Arabia that are ruled by strict Hanbali law, which subjects women to unwelcome marriages, execution at whim, and the boredom of purdah . In this book, Sasson ( The Rape of Kuwait , Knightsbridge Pub. Co., 1991) tells the fascinating story of "Sultana," an unidentified Saudi princess who yearns for recognition in her own right, not as an adjunct of men. For those who wish to know more, Soraya Altorki's Women in Saudi Arabia ( LJ 1/86) and Paryeen Shaukat Ali's Status of Women in the Muslim World (Aziz Pub., 1975. o.p.) are good. Recommended for popular collections. (Illustrations not seen.) Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/92.
- Louise Leonard, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
- Louise Leonard, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Veronika
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Anytime I had a moment to read, I reached for this book and was absorbed by the story. I'm ready to read more books by Princess Sultana.
This is a fascinating first-hand look at what women have to go through and live under in countries where life is ruled by men. There isn't any way out of that life except by following or being forced to follow the cruel or oppressive conditions.
This book follows the princess from her girlhood to an arranged marriage and its consequences.
Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in women's rights, their lives and dark secrets in different countries.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is one of those rare books which I pick up, and read it continuously till the end. Even when I get up to take a break, I feel drawn to this book. Maybe it is becuase I lived in Emirates most of my life and have been sheilding from royalty, but now I see that royality does not mean piousness and religious conformity. The wonderful stories of the princess does change you. I am a Pakistani male, but after reading this book, I think men should get somehow involved in correcting the misinterpreted Islamic History.... Qur'an does say to avoid extremism, chavunism, .... which is exactly what is happening.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a hard story to read! Princess Sultana's life is nothing like a the life of the Princesses of Britain. I knew that women in Saudi Arabia were completely veiled and that they were considered possesions of men there but I did not know to what extreme life is like there! The scariest part is that this book was published in 2001! This is not a story of life in Saudi Arabia a long time ago, it is what is happening there NOW.
Not enough people realize what life is like in some countries and it's our ignorance that is helping to keep these countries the way they are.
This story is Book I of the Princess Triologies, the other two being Princess Sultana's Daughters and Princess Sultana's Circle. I can't get a hold of these sequals fast enough, that's how much I 'enjoyed' this book. Enjoyed really isn't the right word as how can you enjoy reading about such horrible treatement of women!
It is important to understand that while Saudi Arabia is 100% Islamic, most of what is happening is not actually a part of the Islmaic Religion but is a twisted version of the Koran and convenient ignoring of some parts of it. Jean Sasson includes some passage from the Koran on women in the back of this book and while some of it seems barbaric to Westeners, a lot of what goes on in Saudi Arabia and other countries is NOT supported by the Koran. This book is not an attack on Islam.
I could talk about this book for hours and you would still be suprised and horrified when reading it. I could not prepare you for this book without actually typing the whole thing out.
I highly recommend this book although only to adults. There may be some younger people who could handle this but I'm 20 and I believe well educated and this was hard for me to digest.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad...
The narrative wasn't bad...but I felt it was lacking a little something. Maybe it needed to be a bit more descriptive for my liking. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Elif
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting
It takes us behind the veil on what life is like for women in Saudi today. Not only is the book informative, since it is a biography of an actual Saudi princess. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Penny
4.0 out of 5 stars
AN INTERESTING READ
I AM NOT FINISHED WITH THIS BOOK SO WILL RESERVE MY OPINIONS TO A LATER DATE. IT IS AN EASY READ AND SO FAR IT IS VERY POSITIVE
Published 2 months ago by CHARLOTTE GRANNUM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Princess
I borrowed this book from a friend. I loved it so much I bought my own copy so I could re read it more times plus lend it to some friends. Read more
Published 14 months ago by GG
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pitiful story - but is it true?
The author relates the story of Sultana, a Princess of Saudi Arabia, from her childhood to adulthood. Read more
Published on Sep 14 2008 by Kona
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read...but is it true?
This book claims to be the true story of a Saudi princess and her lifestyle. If it is true then it is a harrowing indictment of an inhuman attitude towards Saudi women. Read more
Published on Oct 5 2004 by Ms. H. Sinton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Fairy Tale!
This book should be "required reading" for all women who enjoy freedom! It is an eye-opener about our sisters in the Arab world!
Published on July 3 2004 by snowblaze
5.0 out of 5 stars
A peak into a Culture Unlike Anything you Have Ever Known
Amazing, absolutely amazing! The details, the shock, the beautiful culture, the ugly traditions. You will get lost in this story of a Saudi Princess. Read more
Published on Jun 23 2004 by Esquirette
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorites!
This is one of the first novels i read. And it totally got me involved in the story. Being based on true events gave me another excuse to keep reading it. I finished it in one day. Read more
Published on Jun 12 2004 by Hassan
5.0 out of 5 stars
STUNNING REVELATION OF ABUSE OF WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA
Sultana's story is amazing, sad, and shocking. She paints a picture of living in incredible wealth and opulence, never having to work, always surrounded by servants, the table... Read more
Published on May 20 2004 by Theresa Welsh
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