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Nine Parts of Desire
- The Hidden World of Islamic Women
- Narrated by: Geraldine Brooks
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
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Nine Parts of Desire
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Summary
Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women is the story of Brooks’ intrepid journey toward an understanding of the women behind the veils, and of the often contradictory political, religious, and cultural forces that shape their lives. In fundamentalist Iran, Brooks finagles an invitation to tea with the ayatollah’s widow—and discovers that Mrs. Khomeini dyes her hair.
In Saudi Arabia, she eludes the severe segregation of the sexes and attends a bacchanal, laying bare the hypocrisy of this austere, male-dominated society. In war-torn Ethiopia, she watches as a female gynecologist repairs women who have undergone genital mutilation justified by a distorted interpretation of Islam.
In villages and capitals throughout the Middle East, she finds that a feminism of sorts has flowered under the forbidding shroud of the chador as she makes other startling discoveries that defy our stereotypes about the Muslim world. Nine Parts of Desire is much more than a captivating work of firsthand reportage; it is also an acute analysis of the world’s fastest-growing religion, deftly illustrating how Islam’s holiest texts have been misused to justify the repression of women. It was, after all, the Shiite leader Ali who proclaimed that “God created sexual desire in ten parts, then gave nine parts to women.”
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What listeners say about Nine Parts of Desire
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DMac17
- 04-08-14
Very enlightening and engaging
What made the experience of listening to Nine Parts of Desire the most enjoyable?
This book was an enthralling and enlightening insight into the life of Islamic women from the perspective of an author who gave a balanced and beautifully scribed perspective on such a complex and intriguing topic.
The backdrop of the book is an (obviously) very interesting decade in the author's life, but the main focus is on the characters and lives of the Islamic women the author has the opportunity to observe and sometimes befriend.
Any additional comments?
The book is very nicely narrated and I was sorry when it ended. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who would like to broaden their horizons and learn about women of a different culture and religion.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- mamma c
- 13-10-13
Thought provoking
Where does Nine Parts of Desire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the most interesting and thought provoking books I have listened to. It increased my knowledge of the subject 100% and I am very glad to have a better understanding.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Nine Parts of Desire?
It was all memorable and a book I shall certainly listen to again to take in parts I may have missed before.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No as there is quite a lot to take in and each chapter requires some reflection and thought. There were also bits that I wanted to check out and find out more about on the internet.
Any additional comments?
I wouldn't describe this as a joyous book as some women's lives by my standards are full of hardship and difficulty, however I have a better understanding of the part religious belief plays in their lives. Maybe my life would be better if I had a strongly held religious belief?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Akash Venkataramanan
- 13-12-17
great book
great book, recommend it for anyone looking to know more of the middle east's culture
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 07-12-23
Very interesting
One of my favourite authors & the story content was very interesting & informative regarding women’s lives in UAE, Egypt etc. But oh why does Audible ask the author to read their own books? They are writers not actors. What a shame.
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