Princess , The True Story Of Life Inside Saudi Arabia's Royal Family By Jean Sasson

I had finished reading Jean Sasson’s Princess long back but was not getting time to share my reading experience with you all. I got engaged on 19^th april to my prince charming aka "the sunshine man". I was giving all my time there. Therefore, missed reading your posts and updating mine as well. My engagement programme went well. We enjoyed a lot with few dear and near ones. I just have a small regret that I had chosen a wrong makeup artist for myself. She completely ruined my make up. I looked like a clown on my special day. At least, my man did not run away even after seeing my red painted face. I am thankful to him and God for that. Anyways, back to Jean’s princess. 

My love for Jean’s books is just three books old but it is growing stronger with every book. Princess is first book from princess trilogy. Princess somehow reminds me of Maya Angeleou's "I know why the caged bird sings", especially these lines:

"But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams,His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream,His wings are clipped ,and his feet are tied,So he opens his throat to sing.The caged bird singsWith a fearful trill,Of things unknown,But longed for still,On the distant hill,For the caged bird,Sings of freedom."

In the Jean's book Princess caged bird is a female , Princess Sultana who is trapped in her royal cage of Saudi Arabia and she sings through the words of Jean to let the world know about the sufferings and pain of the Saudi women. All the time they dream of freedom, equality and love.  Next two books from Princess trilogy are Daughters of Arabia and Desert Royals. The book, which I read, had been updated in 2004 but Saudi Arabia has not changed  much since then. Saudi women still does not enjoy any basic human rights. In her book Princess Jean wrote,

“More than a decade has passed since I first penned the first book about Princess Sultana, Yet the book remain timeless. Why? Because life for women in Saudi Arabia remains much the same as when I lived in the kingdom. While there is much talk about needed change for women’s life in the kingdom, and a few women in Saudi Arabia are trying to break the chains that bind them, I’m sorry to report that in the year 2004, the women of Saudi Arabia are still not free to pursue their dreams.”

I had read somewhere that if you want to know how a man will treat you, watch how he treats the women in his family (not just his mother). In my opinion, it is also true for any country. If you want to know about a country or how it will treat you, then watch how the male citizens treat its females. 

I like the maps of Saudi Arabia, Middle East and Family tree of The House of the Sa’ud in the beginning of the book. Along with maps, you will find brief information about Saudi Arabia and other Middle East Countries. A brief history of Saudi Arabia is also given in the end of book.

After the success of Jean’s  first book “The Rape of Kuwait” during the Gulf war, the whole  world grew curious about the secretive & mysterious Saudi Arabia. Jean had spent four years in Saudi Arabia (1978 – 1982). She worked in Medical Affairs Administration at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. There she met and become friends with members of the Saudi royal family. She married Peter Sasson and spent nine more years in the Saudi Arabia. She became friends with many middle class Saudi Arabians and people from other Middle East countries who lived in Saudi Arabia. In those nine years she covered all Arab Countries to know them well especially to see the condition of women. These journeys later gave birth to many real life brave heroines through her books.

In 1983, Jean met a bold, beautiful, smart , intelligent and bit different woman called Princess Sultana.  Princess is her story. Jean named her “Princess Sultana” in her book for her safety. Princess Sultana is a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family. She own four mansions on three continents, private jets and Jewellery worth millions but these material things mean nothing to her.

Princess Sultana’s life is not a fairytale. Two most important things for any individual to be happy is freedom and love which sultana never had in her life. Her father never acknowledges existence of her and her sisters. After the death of princess mother her father re married princess best friend. Her brother was a cruel man too. Later Princess married a man of her father's choice and eventually fell in love with him. After few years her husband turned into a typical Saudi man. 

Princess will make up laugh , cry and will force you to think. 

 Excerpts from Princess:

• No memories are left to me of my first four years. I suppose I laughed and played as all young children do, blissfully unaware that my value, owing to the absence of a male organ, was of no significance in the land of my birth.

• From my reading, I know that most civilized successors of early cultures smiles at the primitive ignorance of their ancestors. As civilization advances, the fear of freedom for the individual is overcome through enlightenment. Human society eagerly rushes to embrace knowledge and change.  Astonishingly, the land of my ancestors is little changed from that of a thousand years ago. Yes, modern buildings spring up, the latest health care is available to all, but consideration for women and for the quality of their lives still receive a shrug of indifference.

• The worth of a child born in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is still measured by the absence or the presence of a male organ.

• Sara had been veiling since her menses, two years earlier. The veil stamped her as a non-person, and she soon ceased to speak of her childhood dreams of great accomplishment. She became distant from me, her younger sister who was as yet unconcerned with the institution of veiling. I was left longing for the remembered happiness of our shared childhood. It suddenly became apparent to me that happiness is realized only in the face of unhappiness, for I never knew we were so happy until Sara’s unhappiness stared me in the face.

• When I looked out of the window of the plane, I understood what grips the heart of the eagle as it soars overhead, and I experienced a wonderful sense of freedom. My thoughts drifted to Sara and the shocking realization that birds and beasts were freer than my sister. I made a vow to myself that I would be the master of my life, no matter what actions I would have to take or pain I would have to endure.

• Every upheaval is a transition.

• Beauty is great commodity for women in Saudi Arabia.

• I began to live, breath and plot for the rights of women in my country so that we could live with the dignity and personal fulfillment that are the birthright of men.

• Father, with twenty-two daughters from four wives, was often overheard muttering:  “Women are a man’s curse.”

• Life changed quickly. I had entered the souq area as an individual bursting with life, my face expressing my emotions to the world. I left the shopping area covered from head to toe, a faceless creature in black.

Why you must read Princess ?

• Simple language.
• Beautiful narration style.
• Princess would motivate you to do something for helpless women around the world.
• To know about mysterious country – Saudi Arabia.
• Good story. Jean surely knows to hold her reader’s interest until the end.
• To know the inside stories of royal familes in Saudi Arabia
• To know about origin of Saudi Arabia
• If you love non – fiction and Jean Sasson.
• If you love reading about women issues.

Why you shouldn't  read Princess ?

Oooops ! Sorry ! I could not find any reason. I am sure you would not regret reading Princess.

Do I recommend It?

Yes ! Trust me you would not regret !

A piece of SHE’s rating: 5/5

I have a good news and a not so great news. Good news is that I am getting married, on first august 2013. Not so great news is that therefore, I am not getting much time to read and I am spending money more on stuffs like make ups, dresses, shoes than on books. I got some money on my engagement as gift from my family members and may get more on my wedding day ;-) I would buy Jean’s books from that money. I am dying to read all her books.

Mayada Daughter of Iraq By Jean Sasson

Recently, I bought two books Mayada Daughter of Iraq, One woman's survival in Saddam Hussein's torture jail and Princess, The story of the life inside saudi Arabia's royal family by Jean Sasson. This post is about my reading experience with the first book Mayada Daughter of Iraq. Review on second book , Princess is coming up soon ! 

In 1998 , Jean Sasson decided to visit Iraq to see the condition of Iraqi people under the sanctions and Saddam’s regime. Although, she knew well that she won’t get visa for her anti- Saddam views but still she sent a letter to Saddam with a copy of her book “The Rape of Kuwait”. Through her letter, she told Saddam, she had not agreed with his decision to invade Kuwait and that she does not have faith in him as well as his governance. Therefore, she wants to know how Iraqi citizens are living their life under the sanctions and Saddam’s rule. Surprisingly, she received permission to visit Iraq within three weeks.

Jean had planned to get female translator for her Iraq trip. Jean Sasson writes about  women’s issues. She knew that no Arab women would open her mouth in front of any male. Therefore, she thought female translator would help her to achieve her mission. Although appointing female translator for foreigners was against government policy but somehow she managed to convince Shakir Al- Dulaimi, head of the Ministry of Information Press Center to appoint a female translator for her. That’s where she met Mayada as her official translator.

Mayada and Jean became good friends in that trip. They were in touch with each other and exchanged emails once in a week. One day Mayada suddenly disappeared. Jean found it very disturbing and just when she became restless she received a call from her Mayada informing her that she was in “the can” – Saddam’s secret prison. Few years after the downfall of Saddam’s regime in 2003, Mayada decided to tell her story to the world through Jean and that is how her book Mayada Daughter of Iraq was born.

Sati Al Husri - Father of Arab Nationalism
Picture 1 

Mayada is the granddaughter of Sati Al Husri, known as the father of Arab Nationalism. Every Arab people including Saddam loved and respected sati for his honesty and his work for Arab Nationalism. When he died, Mayada was just seven years old. Even her paternal grandfather Jafar Pasha Al- Askari was a respectable man. He served twice as Iraq’s prime minister. Jean’s book Mayada provide all the interesting information about Mayada’s great historical family background. Jean’s book also shed light on Iraq’s history of war and helps readers to understand the modern political crisis in Iraq.

Mayada was a divorcee and mother of two kids Fay and Ali when she met Jean. She worked as a Journalist under Saddam’s rule and twice received awards from him for her writing. She started a printing press of her own after leaving her job as a journalist. Even under Saddam’s regime she never thought of leaving Iraq , the land of her father’s grave. She believed in the fake promises made by the Saddam. All her dreams were shattered when she was arrested by the Saddam’s secret police for no reasons and kept in cell no 52 with other shadow women.

In cell no 52 Mayada met an angel called Samara. Samara’s story and courage would bring tears in your eyes. Samara and all other women of cell no 52 taught me to be a selfless, strong, lovable, and caring woman. God knows what happened to those angels. I googled about them but could not find anything. I read an Interview of Mayada online where she said, she too had no clue about them. Most probably, saddam’s monsters had killed them one by one in the prison. But my heart wants to believe otherwise. Hope they are still alive. I pray to Gods of all religion to look after those women wherever they are and bless them.

Whenever I read Jean’s book I feel sad, depress, scared but at the same time, her book also always remind me to be thankful to God for giving me a normal life. She also encourages me through her writings to do something for those helpless women all around the world. No, Jean is not just like one of that westerner who loves to portray the superiority of America to the world. She just tries to become voice of the Middle East women, which had been suppressed by their own country. Jean's books is the  platform for those women to present their stories to the world.

Mayada Daughter of Iraq is a story of Mayada and other shadow women, captured and tortured by Saddam’s police. While, reading this book I felt like vomitting twice and felt dizzy. So, those who are weak  should prepare themselves mentally before reading it.

Few excerpts from Mayada Daughter of Iraq:

“While I cannot walk, I can speak.” With a smile she closed her eyes and whispered, “At the last prison, a poem was etched in the wall. Some poor, suffering, nameless woman died there. Wishing to keep some small part of her alive, I memorized her poem. I say this poem to myself, every day.”

“tell us later,” Dr. Sabah encouraged.

“No. let me tell you now, please.”

Dr. Sabah nodded. “All right. but do not tire yourself.”

Samara’s face and body twitched and she haltingly shared the verses she had so carefully memorized:

“They took me away from my home

They slapped me when I cried out for my children

They imprisoned me

They accused me of crimes I had never committed

They interrogated me with their harsh accusations

They tortured me with their cruel hands

They stubbed out cigarettes on my flesh

They cut out my tongue

They raped me

They cut off my breasts

I wept alone, in pain and in fear

They sentenced me to die

They staked me to the wall

I begged for mercy

They shot me between my eyes

They dumped my body in the shallow grave

They buried me without a shroud

After my death, they discovered I was innocent.”

"As she stood as one with the other shadow women, Mayada told herself that she was living a great moment in her life and that she would never forget a single word from Samara's lips. Every flutter of Samara's movement would be a part of her until the day she died.

She cried quietly and soon all the shadow women were crying together.

Mayada looked around and her words broke the sadness binding them all. "We are comrades-in-tears," she said. Several shadow women chuckled wistfully."

Why should you read this book?

·        For her awesome writing style and simple language.

·         To know Iraq's history and modern Iraq.

·         To know about atrocities of Saddam and its secret police.

·         To know about personal life of Saddam and his family members.

·         To know about those brave women who were trapped in cell no 52.

·         If you like reading nonfiction.

·         If you love reading books on middle east.

·         If you love reading books on women issues.
.     If you love Jean Sasson

Why you shouldn't read this book?

·         If you are weak then just skip some pages from this book.

Do I recommend it?

Yes! However, it affects my health but I cannot stop myself from reading her books. I think I am addicted to her writings.

A piece of SHE’s … Rating:  4.5/5  

Click on Jean Sasson to know more about her and her books.

Image Source: Picture 1 

Love in a Torn Land - Fascinating story of a bride of Kurdish freedom fighter.

A common question that every parent asks his or her kids is what do you want to be when you grow up? This triggers all sorts of funny, interesting, and innocent ambitions from a kid. I dreamed of becoming every odd thing possible under the sun model, actor, cabin crew, CA, Pilot, and the most bizarre and the funniest of all was traffic police. However, have you ever heard a kid say that his/her dream is to become freedom fighter ? 

In my last post, I told you that I am going to read a non fiction called Love in a torn land by Jean Sasson. My uncle wanted to gift me a book and I picked up this one from a near by  bookstore. It was a random prize catch actually.

Jean Sasson

Love in a torn land is a first book I read by Jean Sasson. I googled about her and found that Jean Sasson is an American writer who calls herself “a voice for women of the middle east.” Jean has spent 20 years in various parts of Middle East. She made her debut with “the rape of Kuwait” in 1991. The rape of Kuwait is about refugees of Kuwait who fled to the various parts of the world during Iraq invasion in 1990.

While reading Love in a torn land, I thanked God thousand times for giving me a “normal life” in a “normal country”. A good book can change your life and thoughts completely and this is one of those books.  I would think twice from now onwards before disturbing God for my silly problems.

Love in a Torn Land By Jean Sasson

Love in a torn land is not a stupid love at first sight kind of story. Jean has presented “love” in a practical way to its readers. It is an account of a real hero and heroine and the things they did in life to save their real love for each other and their country. This book has shaken me to the core. I have read quite a few numbers of prison diaries before like Shantaram, the confession, the innocent man etc .Still I cried and was lost in deep thoughts while reading it (P.S I did not cry when Dumbledore died in the last series of Harry Porter. I mean I do not cry easily. So, keep your tissue papers ready with you when you join Joanna ‘s journey).

Joanna Al – Askair a daughter of Arab father and Kurdish mother who decided to become Peshmerga when she was just 10. Her dream came true when she married her childhood crush who is a Peshmerga. A Kurd freedom fighters call themselves "Peshmerga which means “one who faces death” in Kurdish language. The baathist party came into power after 1958 revolution, which completely changed the life of Joanna causing many deaths in her family and destroying her father’s business. Joanna left her comfortable city life and high paid job to be with her husband and to accomplish her childhood dream. 

Baathist party, which was then led by Saddam Hussein, hated Iraqi Kurds. Saddam was “Hitler” of Middle East. He together with Ali Hassan Al-Majid aka “Chemical Ali” killed millions of Kurds with the deadly chemical weapons. Being Kurd was a curse during those days. The Baathist government at the drop of the hat arrested Kurds. Iraqi Kurds were not even allowed to own chemical masks for their safety from chemical attacks. Saddam's men used various inhuman ways to torture Kurds. There were separate laws for Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi Arab. 

My favorite excerpts from Love in a torn land :

“Often I ask myself, where is the rest of the world? Is there anyone out there who knows what is happening to the Kurds? Does anyone know, or care, that Baghdad has been murdering innocent Kurdish citizens for decades? Or that their lust for our blood is increasing? Does anyone know that Arabs are taught that Kurds are animals, or that they are encouraged to rob, beat, and murder us? Does the world know that the government in Baghdad has been emptying entire villages of Kurds, taking the men away to God only knows where, and shipping the women, children and elderly men to live in a refugees camps in the south ? Does the world know that these Kurds are forbidden to return home? Does the world know that Arabs are moving into our homes, and appropriating our livelihoods?
If the world knew, would they care?
Its as though we Kurds are bleeding from thousands of wounds, yet no one will expose our sufferings.”

 "Where were the peacekeepers? Where was the UN? Why was the entire world ignoring Saddam's attack upon on his own people? Were we Kurds considered, so disposal? I longed to stand at the top of the mountain and shout out, Where are you, world? Where are you?"

Love in a torn land has left deep impact on my mind and I would recommend this book to everyone. Both Fiction and Non-fiction readers would love it. Finally, I would sum up by saying that Love in a torn land is a pragmtic  story of a true brave heart, Joanna. 

A piece of SHE...'s rating : 5/5

Image Source : Google Image