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Book Club Blog Post #4

 As I reached the end of the novel, Princess By Jean Sasson, I found myself disappointed with the anti-climactic ending, yet grateful for the well-being of Sultana. I was hoping that the story would end with her escape, although her husband seems to be fairly kind (especially in relation to the other men in the novel) I found myself wanting more for Sultana. Sultana would be able to thrive in a country like ours, where the only way to succeed as a woman is to do it with a little sass and attitude that is well excepted in our country. More so, sticking up for oneself which Sultana does throughout the book with deliberation, intent, and consideration. Without these boundaries of the Saudi Arabian men, I think Sultana would be able to grow into a well-respected woman of the United States. Behind her drive would be the encouragement and resources to do so. The country of Saudi Arabia even allows "a woman's room" or a room that keeps woman confined to a cell without windows, contact, or entertainment. This is by far one of the sickest, cruelest and disgusting habitual acts in this novel. How is that even humane? How could that ever be justified or dignified? How could a country worship a god that would allow that? The final anecdote of experience in Saudi Arabia is that of, Widad. Widad was traveling to Saudi Arabia and her daughter was kidnapped and her kidney was stolen. Saudi men in this novel have taken everything from women in this novel, rights, virtue, a voice, and now they are stealing organs? What was more memorable was what Widad said to Sultana in the haste of her story. Widad says, "While it is true that financial desperation leads foreigners to Saudi Arabia, you are still hated by all that have known you." This statement stuck out to me for its truthfulness. I have never been to Saudi Arabia and now can promise that I never will, for I have never heard such stories of degradation and malice until reading this novel.

Dorothy Stratten

The magazine feature "Death of a Playmate" stuck out to me for a few reasons. I thought it was unlike many stories about murder and death, where they focused so much on the life of Dorothy Stratten. This interesting perspective made Dorothy more relatable. The author of the story reflects on her stardom and untimely finish as a playboy bunny and actress. It bothered me that the author of the article was trying to contend that the impression Dorothy left on men was more memorable than her herself. The article was written shortly after her death, and can hardly be seen as a eulogistic. Instead of remembering Dorothy the way those who loved her did, I think the article made her seem like a young fame-thirsty girl in some parts. In the beginning of the story it is even explained that she had very little aspirations for herself and never planned a career in Hollywood until she met Paul Snider. Another interesting detail of the story is the discussion of the actual death. The article suggests that there are theories that believe Snider is innocent. This truly bothered, throughout the article there seemed to be a darkness cast around Paul. Paul seemed to be entitled, selfish and some what of a con-artist. And his obsession with Dorothy was evident. Finding out that Dorothy had most likely been raped was a hard line to read. How could someone who claimed to love her also be the one to destroy her? A crime of passion, no doubt, but one that seems all to unfair. Dorothy was a small town girl who was pushed by a man she thought loved her, only to discover his animosity for her loving someone else.

Book Club Blog Post #4

One of the aspects of this book that is so powerful is the use of other Saudi Arabian women and their stories. When I read Chapter 15 I felt something deep inside me for Amal, the young girl who was stoned to death after she was raped. For any young woman to have to go through the horror of sexual abuse is one thing, but this poor girl was raped, humiliated, became pregnant, then murdered after the birth of her daughter )whose situation after birth remains unknown in the novel). It is hard to say, but I think if I were Amal, I wouldn't have much will to live. Stripped of all her character, rights and life, Amal is murdered in the most brutal of ways. The archaic condemnation of being publicly stoned is not something I would wish upon my worst enemy. What's even worse, these gang-raper group of teenage boys receive no punishment for their indecencies. It's even more startling that the rapists were friends of Amal's brother and he did nothing to stop her cruel punishment. The book states, "In the world of Arabs, blame for unsanctioned sex is placed wholly on the shoulders of the female." So not only does that statement basically give men the right to rape women, but it makes it virtually impossible for anything to be done after this heinous crime against humanity. The further I read into this book, I find myself more disgusted in the men of Saudi Arabia and more grateful of the freedom I have.

Book Club Blog Post #3

I was grateful as a reader to find that Sultana managed to escape marrying a man exactly like her farther and brother. Although Kareem is not the ideal man, he might just be the ideal Saudi Arabian man. Throughout this novel, the oppression that Sultana has experienced through the men in her life is starting to wane. With her husband's progressive thinking Sultana will be able to continue her education and live a life with Kareem that shows some compassion, despite the darkness that still surrounds her life in the Saudi Land. One passage that stuck out to me was when Sultana was describing her visit to London and having to admit to people that she would actually get to meet her fiance before their wedding, which was unaccustomed. Then the book reads, "Those who are fee cannot fathom the value of small victories for those who live on a tether." I have always prided myself on finding happiness in the little things in life, but I never considered what those little things could mean to someone else. Something so precious in life is the idea of marriage, committing yourself to one person your whole life. While living in America, I have that luxury to choose and unchoose who I want, where for Saudi Arabian woman that is a fantasy that they cant even imagine. The facade of marriage in Saudi Arabia is more like slavery for the women; they are chosen, bargained for, and aren't even guaranteed monogamy  in their matrimony.

Book Club post #2

I become more and more shocked as the chapters in this book pan out. More and more disturbed by the actions of men towards women in this book. I am unsure of when this is written and if these conditions are current but it is astonishing that men were able to get away with these sort of things. In chapter 8, I got goosebumps hearing that Nadia would be drowned by her own father in their swimming pool for everyone to see. Every part of this execution is astonishing, especially the part about her father committing this heinous act. In this chapter the narrator states, "I felt a hate for the customs of my land creep into my throat like a foul taste. The absolute lack of control, of freedom for our sex, drove young girls like Wafa and Nadia to desperate acts." This quote stuck out to me, preceding the execution of Nadia it is an enlightening thought to think about how different humans may act under strict conditions that never allowed them to even taste or think about freedom. Their lives were barely worth living to them, how would a human not act irrationally under these circumstances. Furthermore the men in this novel disgust me, and I cringe at the thought of most them. Sultana states, "Such cruel actions were the worst of all commentaries on the wisdom of men who consume and destroy the lives and dreams of their women with emotionless indifference." Not only did the restrictions set by the father of Nadia lead her to make such mischievous decisions but they also lead her to her death. How any father can coldly murder his own blood for such indiscretions leaves me speechless.

Book Club post #1

In the first five chapters of "Princess: ATrue Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia" by Jean Sasson I found the condition of life for women in Saudi Arabia quite disturbing. Although women did not gain a right to vote until 1920 in the U.S. and there were laws intact until the mid 19th century allowing men to physically punish their wives, the cold treatment of women and children is not the custom here. The part of the story I found most disturbing is the way Ali treats his sister, and how their father condones. It seems inhuman to have young girls exposed to such hostility and cruelty as their brother tossed their found puppy out of the window of a moving car. Ali's sadistic ways seem to be learned from his father but also a precedent for Saudi Arabian men in this story. The narrator even makes statements revealing this: "I was a female who was shackled by males unburdened with consequence"and "In our land, brilliance in a woman assures her future misery, for there is nowhere to focus her genius." In a society where men dictate their women, their ability to acquire intelligence or independence is minimal and would be frowned upon. The sister of the narrator, Sara, was even tranquilized to endure her own wedding, to a man almost five times her age, by her father. The fact that Sara had no say in her marriage is startling but the fact that it is acceptable for a father to tranquilize his own daughter made my stomach turn.