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Review
'Nawal el Saadawi writes with directness and passion, transforming the systematic brutalisation of peasants and of women in to powerful allegory' --New York Times
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
'A dramatic symbolised version of female revolt against the norms of the Arab world' --The Guardian
'It is a remarkable book. Painful, compulsive reading. I am sure some of you know all about it but for those who don't this short novel, or creative non-fiction as the author describes it, is the story of Fidraus, a prostitute about to be executed for murdering her pimp. Her life is recounted in a little over 100 pages but each one leaves an indelible mark. This is a tale of injustice, inequality and sheer bad luck to rival all those bloody misery memoirs that litter the supermarkets but it is written with such grace and skill as to be on a par with the finest literature of this or any era.' --Scott Pack, The Friday Project
Product Description
'All the men I did get to know, every single man of them, has filled me with but one desire: to lift my hand and bring it smashing down on his face. But because I am a woman I have never had the courage to lift my hand. And because I am a prostitute, I hid my fear under layers of make-up'. So begins Firdaus' story, leading to her grimy Cairo prison cell, where she welcomes her death sentence as a relief from her pain and suffering. Born to a peasant family in the Egyptian countryside, Firdaus suffers a childhood of cruelty and neglect. Her passion for education is ignored by her family, and on leaving school she is forced to marry a much older man. Following her escapes from violent relationships, she finally meets Sharifa who tells her that 'A man does not know a woman's value the higher you price yourself the more he will realise what you are really worth' and leads her into a life of prostitution. Desperate and alone, she takes drastic action. Saadawi's searing indictment of society's brutal treatment of women continues to resonate today. This classic novel has been an inspiration to countless people across the world.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Woman at Point Zero by N.el Saadawi is a book I highly recommend to anyone interested in the situation of women in the Arab world and more.
It is the tragic story of Firdaus who, standing on her own from the very beginning of her life, tries to find justice in a corrupt society. We witness her loveless childhood, marked by mental and physical abuse, follow her to secondary school and view her gliding into prostitution which, sadly enough, seems to be the only way to gain at least financial independence.
When reading and reflecting on Firdaus's life I was fascinated by her strong will and determination to find justice in a hypocrite society, despite from being without any support. Instead of having transformed her into an obedient victim of society, all her negative experiences have turned her into a rather aggressive character who is prepared to fight for her rights.
However, Woman at Point Zero is a book which should not only be read by women. Although at first glance mainly dealing with themes like physical abuse, prostitution and the attempt to gain some hold in life, themes of current importance such as corruption, hypocrisy and the exploitation of a minority can be discovered when looking at it more closely. Anyone who refuses to accept whatever life presents without trying to change it will be moved by the timeless importance of N.el Saadawi's eye-opening story.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It has been a long time that a book has capture me as much as this one. I couldn't put it down! Nawal is an amazingly courageous women if only there were more people like her in this world! Her voice is very powerful and the story becomes very real. Her hardship that she has endured can be felt in the way she writes. This is a book for everyone regardless of who you are, what you do and what type of books you normally read. I highly recommend this book! Enjoy
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was the first book I read by Nawal El Saadawi, and I thought it was great. A strong character and captivating story line. It prompted me to read some of her other books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sad, but important book
Read this book when you are feeling strong, as it is a very heavy read indeed. But it is an important one, as it must be one of the very first published works by a Muslim woman... Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Book 1981
Something of a disappointment
I read this novel for a book club; it came highly recommended, but I was quite disappointed. The framing device jarred, and the main story itself felt completely lacklustre. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by M. Taylor
Emotional and thought provoking
What a great book!
I have just read it at school as part of my course and am so glad I was introduced to it. Read more
I have just read it at school as part of my course and am so glad I was introduced to it. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2007 by Molly
Simply amazing!
Dr.El Saadawi manages to capture the reader's imagination and awaken their spirit with a novel that deals with issues that often go untold. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2002
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