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In the Land of Invisible Women
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Summary
The decisions that change your life are often the most impulsive ones. Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong. What she discovers is vastly different.
The Kingdom is a world apart, a land of unparalleled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty, and love. And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity. It is a place where she discovers what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women.
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- Eliza Conquest
- Saudi Arabia
- 21-01-15
Excellent account of life in Riyadh
If you could sum up In the Land of Invisible Women in three words, what would they be?
Interesting; accurate; observant
Who was your favorite character and why?
This is a memoir, so no favourite character.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Events when she went on the Hajj pilgrimage. However, scenes that I found most interesting were the Saudi reactions to 9/11.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Sometimes amusing, sometimes made me angry.
The narrator mispronounced the word "thobe" incorrectly throughout the book by sounding the "e" at the end. The "e" is silent, as in "robe".
Any additional comments?
I have lived in Saudi Arabia for 30 years so was very interested in reading this memoir. Although the author occasionally got carried away with her descriptions, overall I think she conjured up the atmosphere of Saudi Arabia extremely well. Her understanding of Saudis, both men & women, was very sympathetic. From everything that we have learnt about them in our years here, she came up with very similar conclusions in a very short space of time. She was observant of everything going on around her and swung from being impressed to dismayed at various things that happened - for instance, extreme prejudice coming from men & women who until that point had seemed highly educated and intellectual; parents wishing to install hatred & prejudice in their children for Jews; on the other hand, the great warmth and hospitality that Saudis extended to her. The reaction of Saudis to the events of 9/11 were shocking, and then a few years later they too were on the receiving end of Al Qaeda bombing. Her understanding of the Wahabi version of Islam in Saudi Arabia was also very accurate and she became quite disillusioned seeing how this religion is frequently distorted here. I would recommend this audiobook - or book - to anyone who is interested in learning about Saudi Arabia, especially if they are considering coming to work here in the medical field.At the end of the audio book, there is an interesting interview with the author about her subsequent experiences in Saudi Arabia and observations about the progress of women in the Kingdom.
The narrator mispronounced the word "thobe" incorrectly throughout the book by sounding the "e" at the end. The "e" is silent, as in "robe".
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- S
- 14-12-14
Interesting but a bit too long
If you could sum up In the Land of Invisible Women in three words, what would they be?
Interesting, shocking, long
What did you like best about this story?
I've read numerous books about women living in Saudi but the majority had been about women who had been born in the country, for whom the customs were something they had grown up with. I chose this book because it wanted to see if the story would be different coming from a woman who had been born outside of the kingdom, one who was educated and working in what some may have considered a male job.
Have you listened to any of Nicola Barber’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is the first performance I've heard, but its been very enjoyable.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
At the start I enjoyed listening to this book and would have happily considered listening to it in one sitting. However, as the book progressed I found some parts continued for much longer than what I would have liked and had it been a print book I would have probably skipped a few pages to get back into the more gripping stuff.
Any additional comments?
It was interesting to hear the story of a woman who despite being a muslim, she had never really practiced her religion and had lived in the relative freedom of the USA for many years having to deal with the cultural differences she came across when working in Saudi. Overall it was a very interesting book. My only criticism is there were sections of the book which I felt went on a bit too long and at times I lost track of what was going on. Had it been a print book I would have probably skipped a few pages. At the same time I felt the conclusion was quite quick compared to the rest of the book. Maybe this was because I dipped in and out of the book several times rather than listened to it in long sessions.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- happyShopper
- UK
- 16-11-18
Brilliant Storytelling
I'm enjoying this story and I'm on chapter 27 feeling as though I don't want the story to end. The account of the story is just so vivid and gripping I can't stop listening with intrigue as I want to know what happens next. The story whilst it is non-fiction has such a novel worthy feel to it that I am just loving it every step of the way. The life is Saudi is truly fascinated for me a westernised non-muslim to read about I couldn't imagine it until this story brought it to life for me. Thank you Quanta, may more women have the courage to share their stories as beautifully as you did!
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- Honey
- 22-11-17
Land of invisible women great book
Really enjoyed this book about women and the medical world and Saudi Arabia and progression of women Qanta has shown such an amazing overview of people from the West going to Saudi Arabia and the changes that have come over time. Some part of me was sad that nothing happened between Qanta and Imad I wish they had met again it’s a fact of life that sometimes people don’t get together. The experience of Hajj and umrah was very nice and great to read about. Being Pakistani and British I could understand the authors feelings and was great to read about
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- Liz
- Newcastle Emlyn
- 27-06-16
very informative and enjoyable
it is nice to read a book by a Muslim doctor about living on a Muslim world from a westerners perspective. a very interesting book that made me challenge my own views on the who establishment from highest to lowest level.
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- Ann D
- Newcastle, England
- 02-05-14
Hmmm!
Is there anything you would change about this book?
It was a valuable read/listen for me, as I learned quite a bit about Saudi and Muslim culture. However, I did not warm to the author. There was a arrogance to her, admittedly one not uncommon to medics of a certain generation. She also seemed preoccupied with how physically attractive each person she met, or even simply saw, was. She repeatedly commented on each persons weight (likely lifestyle in respect of it), the straightness of their teeth, the size of noses etc. Generally, the writing was reasonably good, but in some chapters there was a jarringly clumsy use, and overuse, of metaphor and the language used was at time over-contrived.
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
It felt unfinished. There was more to say about returning to America as a British-Pakistani Muslim immediately post 9/11.
What three words best describe Nicola Barber’s performance?
A little too delicate for this particular book, but very good quality narration.
Could you see In the Land of Invisible Women being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?
It probably would make a good movie.
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- Claire
- 21-04-13
Could have been so much more
The writing ranges from indifferent to awkward, but that is not the only reason I rate this books as merely "ok". It had the potential to be so much more than it is.
Dr. Qanta A. Ahmed is capable of close observation--no critical care physician can lack this ability--and some of her descriptions are very closely observed, indeed. It is a shame that these are mostly limited to the physical appearance of the people she meets and of their clothing, homes and cars.
Yet we cannot call Ahmed shallow because the religious experience she underwent in the Kingdom was clearly deeply felt. I am disappointed that she did not spend more time exploring it and less time looking for well-worn metaphors to describe it.
The main problem with In the Land of Invisible Women, in my opinion, is that it never quite seems to decide what kind of book it is. Is it the description of the author's religious itinerary? Then why leave that almost exclusively to the section on her Haj (pilgrimage to Mecca)? Is it the story of a Western-trained double-boarded physician who happens to be a woman practicing in the very different and restrictive conditions experienced by female physicians in the Kingdom? Then tell us more about that.
Is this a book about Saudi culture? Then spend less time on describing cars, jewelry and clothing and more time on behavior, attitudes, laws and social expectations. Is it a book about the history of Wahabi extremism in Saudia? Then write it as a history and don't try to squeeze it in as background in artificial-sounding conversations.
The main problem I found with this book is its lack of focus. There is so much potential here for a riveting memoir or a fascinating analysis. Ahmed sold herself short by taking the easy way out.
This book will be particularly interesting to people with little or no knowledge of Islam, people who don't know many Muslims. Think of it as a long, chatty letter from the friend of a friend and you won't be as disappointed as I was.
Not a bad book, just not as good as it might have been.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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- Kimmarie
- 17-05-12
Women under war
As our newspapers and news inform us there is a war on women in America. While they gloss over the fact the countries such a Saudi Arabia & Pakistan kill their women for being whores.
Enjoyed the book, enjoyed the voice of the narrarator. The thing of it is....
Where are all of the books written by women or for women who were not so lucky?
We can all grab bios on Tina Fey or Suzanne Sommers.
What about Wafta Sultan, Souad and Rana Husseini? What about some audiobooks from women in Saudi Arabia, Jordan or Pakistan?
Just Saying.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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- Daryl
- 16-07-14
Important work, somewhat too ambitious
Where does In the Land of Invisible Women rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I enjoyed this book for the most part. Nicola Barber's performance was spectacular, and Qanta Ahmed's observational skills - crucial for a physician - are on full display. I could feel the oppressive heat, sense the culture shock, and awed by her description of her Haj experience. It is, however, somewhat lost in brand-name-dropping (particularly in the first half). Once you get past that, it is a very important enlightening book, giving faces and names to "invisible" women in an uncomfortable reality of Saudi Arabia.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The description of the Haj. I was blown away by such a mass amount of people, beautiful buildings, stones, waters, prayers... it was incredibly moving.
Any additional comments?
I did enjoy this book. The first half has a lot of brand name dropping - Mercedes, Rolex, etc. - and it gets a little bit grating. However, that aside, I will never forget this book, and will likely read it again.
Qanta is a moderate Muslim who is thrown into a kingdom where women are veiled, and the veiling of Muslims is definitely described as a prison. Through two years, she learns what women - and by extension men - endure in the Saudi kingdom. She is blunt, to the point, observant, giving a realism seldom viewed. Unlike Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Infidel, Nomad), Qanta's Muslim faith remains intact, even though extremism as witnessed in Saudi Arabia does not persuade her to think as many do there, or to become resigned to her fate.
Worth buying on sale, or even for its own cash value; I wouldn't spend a credit on it, but that's just me.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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- gardener97
- 11-03-15
Could not finish... Boring.
She goes to the Saudi Kingdom to work as a doctor. You'd think this would turn into a fascinating look into a closed society but not so. She seems to love all the quirks of "covering" and "being invisible" and gender segregation, discovers her 'Muslim-ness', goes on a Hajj and is orgasmic about being called by Allah. (Allah calls those to Hajj so if you want to go, ipso facto you've been called.)
Think 'Lifetime for Women', Saudi style
Boring ain't in it. I would have happily returned this to audible but as of now you can only return 2 books per 6 months regardless of how many books you buy.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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- sheila
- 07-01-13
MORE THAN I EXPECTED
Not know anything about this book, I was pleasantly surprised. I just had to know what this was about. I leant a lot about the women of The Kingdom and the menfolk.
I found the discussion with the writer, at the conclusion, to be a surprise and a well received time of listening. Will definitely look for more of Qanta A. Ahmed's book. She writes excelently.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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- Anat
- 24-06-13
Eye opening account
What did you love best about In the Land of Invisible Women?
It is amazing to discover how women, including enlightened and modern women, live under religious and male oppression in Saudi Arabia. Riveting account!
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
A MUST READ for anyone living in the Western world.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 04-09-18
Amazing!
It was a beautufully written book and an intensely interesting window into another world.
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- Abdulsalam
- 20-05-18
incomplete insight into the life in Saudi Arabia
I like how the book narrates outsider insight from the eyes of a doctor. However, I can tell as a Saudi citizen that many issues raised by the author lack deep understanding of other dimensions and perspectives. Also, one issue I noticed about the author is her prejudice towards the Saudi culture and quick judgement, sometimes generalisation from one incident she faced or even heard from colleagues. overall, the book is interesting and may worth listening to.
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- Kathy
- 19-03-18
Understanding our Saudi Sisters
I have read many books about women in the Middle East and this was excellent. It was written by a British born, American trained Pakistani Muslim doctor. She moves to Saudi Arabia in 1999 and works in the intensive care and emergency departments of a hospital. Her observations of life there is honest and sometimes heart wrenching. She never was swathed from head to toe before and finds it oppressive and annoying. She makes dear friends and loves certain things about the country and finds others abhorrent. Her description of her Haj pilgrimage was beautiful and very honest. I couldn't put the book down. Nicola Barber did a beautiful job of narrating this book. The bonus interview with Qanta Ahmed at the end was wonderful and very informative.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about how lucky women in the west are compared to there sisters in some other countries. I appreciated the candidness and ability of the author to separate good from bad. The part about the 9/11 attack and the reaction there was eye opening. I would recommend this highly!
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- Lu Bean
- 30-09-17
beautifully written. captivating story.
this was a book that was very difficult to put down. The author seemed so honest I felt myself blushing at times.