- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group); New edition edition (1 Aug 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553405705
- ISBN-13: 978-0553405705
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.6 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 275,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Princess
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This is the true story of what life is like for a Saudi Arabian Princess. Told to the author by a member of the Saudi Arabian Royal Family who wishes to remain anonymous, it describes a life of oppression and human rights violations.
From the Author
Response to my readers
After growing up in a tiny Southern town, I feel like the luckiest person alive to have traveled the world, and met lovely people from so many countries. The Middle East & Asia have been my main areas of travel, and like the rest of this good earth, including my own USA, I found negatives and positives in every culture. But, I also made the happy discovery that most people are genuinely kind hearted and most of us want the same out of life: comfort of life and respectful treatment from fellow human beings. (Speaking of lovely folks: To those that might be interested, I traveled to Iraq last summer, and spent two weeks in that country. Believe it or not, never have I met any nicer peole than the ordinary Iraqi. I was forced to rethink my former conclusions! What an adventure I had--particularly after writing "The Rape of Kuwait!" But, that's another book and I'm getting ahead of myself. Sorry!)
After growing up in a tiny Southern town, I feel like the luckiest person alive to have traveled the world, and met lovely people from so many countries. The Middle East & Asia have been my main areas of travel, and like the rest of this good earth, including my own USA, I found negatives and positives in every culture. But, I also made the happy discovery that most people are genuinely kind hearted and most of us want the same out of life: comfort of life and respectful treatment from fellow human beings. (Speaking of lovely folks: To those that might be interested, I traveled to Iraq last summer, and spent two weeks in that country. Believe it or not, never have I met any nicer peole than the ordinary Iraqi. I was forced to rethink my former conclusions! What an adventure I had--particularly after writing "The Rape of Kuwait!" But, that's another book and I'm getting ahead of myself. Sorry!)
Certainly, during my twelve years of living and working in Saudi Arabia, I was fortunate to meet many lovely Saudi citizens, and yes, many kind men who treated their own women with respect. However, despite this, none of those privileged women could drive an automobile, work in the company of men, attend the same schools as men, or travel outside their home without the veil over their face. Such is not a life anyone would purposely seek, no matter what anyone might claim.
As a western woman, I was treated very differently than native women. I can only recall one or two unpleasant episodes during that time, and believe me, only two bad incidents in twelve years is nothing to complain about! So, please remember, the books about "Sultana" are not my own personal story, and I could not infringe on the truths of a native woman with my own positive experiences. (I am in the process of writing about my experiences in the Middle East, and it will surprise many people.)
And to those who find it so difficult to believe that women are still horribly mistreated in many parts of the world, don't take my word for it! Why don't you read other findings in newspapers, magazines, and join the human rights groups, Amnesty International and Equality Now? Their findings are much in the same vein as the stories you will read about in my books, and surely no one can claim these orgainziations are biased! (And, there are other well-written books about women which share many common findings with my own work, and I highly recommend that readers buy and read those books: Price of Honor and Nine Parts of Desire, come to mind.) And, what is happening with the Taliban and their women, even as I am writing this sentence, shows us that life can be much worse for many of the world's women than any of us could ever imagine in our worse nightmare!
I just returned from a book tour in England and at one of my book signings, I was happy to see four or five Saudi female faces in the audience. While speaking, I inquired if they were Saudi, and everyone one of them said, "no." However, when my talk finished, and readers filed by to get signed books, three of the women whispered to me that they were indeed Saudi, and although they could never come out publicly, they were so pleased that the world was taking note of their situation. Two of the women passed me their phone numbers and I was sad to hear from the two women that the public situation for women in Saudi Arabia had become much more severe, with the government growing more fearful of Saudi radical religious groups, and unwilling to hold these fierce men in line, although the individual lives lived in private have become more relaxed since many educated Saudi men have become more enlightened about women's issues.
And, thanks to you all for caring. (At least to those who care! And, if you don't care, maybe you should care!) There have been a few voiced complaints about the way I told Sultana's story--in a quick, enjoyable read--but who of you wants to read a dry account of anyone's life? And, if you happen to notice, a lot of facts are hidden in the fun... Anyway, the story of women fighting for personal freedoms is what is important. Certainly, when I first wrote "Princess," Sultana nor I could have ever dreamed that her story would travel around the world, and find so many interested readers.
And, yes to the question I am asked most frequently: I have been harassed, lied about, and attacked in various ways for daring to write Sultana's story. But, I don't have a single regret.
So now, I'm off to begin another project. Until then, happiness to you all. Jean Sasson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Real unbroken spirit,
This review is from: Princess: True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia (Paperback)
I only read this book as it kept appearing on my Recommendations list. I had a vague idea on how woman were seen in Saudi Arabia but, how little I knew.Princess Sultana tells the story of her life - her luxurious prison sentence, just because she is a woman in a land where this means second class citizen. No rights, no choice, she is constantly told what will happen to her and her sisters. She is a Princess yet no one, not even her father, thinks she is anything special - because she is a daughter and only sons are truly wanted. Her voice is defiant and strong, even in the face of danger. She refuses to accept her lot in life - to serve and obey - all the time knowing she could easily be murdered for being a 'difficult' woman. She risks death again and again to do what she thinks is right, to gain a little freedom and choice over her life. Her spirit is amazing - she has hope in the darkest times. It's astounding that this story is real and that she risked so much over and over - knowing that she too could be murdered like her friends and the police would help cover it up. Some of her stories are truly sickening, I cannot see how she kept going, knowing she had no help in society - no police force, little parental support, should anything happen to her. Women are taught to get on with life no matter what. Men are always right and can do anything, ANYTHING they want. The only glimmers of humour and lightness are her accounts on the triumphs over her vile brother Ali. I was delighted when she got away with some of them, though tiny moments of satisfaction and joy can never compensate her largely grim existence. I wouldn't say this book was enjoyable or pleasant. It's shocking, heart wrenching and disgustingly real. By the end of the book I felt depressingly resigned to the fact that I couldn't do anything to help and Sultanas' story was just one of thousands. It is, however, essential to learn about how different life is in other parts of the world. As a Western woman I feel immensely grateful and humbled by Sultanas story. I hope she is happy wherever she is.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heartrending insight of Saudi Women,
By Meg Blythe (Wallsend on Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Princess: True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia (Paperback)
I really did not have a clue what i was going to read, but once I started reading this book of life behind the veil of Saudi women, I could not put it down. It is heart wrenching in parts; Has a touch of humour, despite the suffering; It is very defiant and is certainly eye opening in a way that we western women could not even imagine, the suffering and iniquities against these women of Saudi Arabia. I fully recommend the follow up book, Daughters of Arabia by Jean P Sasoon. Once you begin reading these books, you will not want to put them down or ever forget their contents.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An incredibly moving read,
By A Customer
This review is from: Princess: True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia (Paperback)
I am very interested in different cultures and traditions, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East where women are treated so differently to how they are here in the west. I was shocked to hear just how differently, and to learn about how much power Saudi men have over their women and the restrictions and expectations that are laid upon them. Reading this made me very shocked and angry, but also proud of 'Sultana's' determination to be herself. It also made me think how incredibaly lucky we western women are, and it made me more appreciative towards our freedom. I think Jean P Sasson took a risk when she decided to write this, as did 'Sultana', but it is a brilliant, moving and inspiring book that deserves the greatest respect.
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