Customer Reviews
A pitiful story - but is it true? - By: Kona, 15 Sep 2008 
The author relates the story of Sultana, a Princess of Saudi Arabia, from her childhood to adulthood. We learn of Sultana's life of unimaginable luxury with palaces, servants, & jewels but, alas, being a female she is a prisoner in her home, subject to the iron will of her father & brother.
This is a good story, but I took it as a fictional story. I never once believed that Sultana was real & that she told these stories. I know the cruelties described in the book exist, but I think "Sultana" is a combination of many nameless Saudi women. Had the author not tried to present this book as a memoir but just reported the officiallly-sanctioned abominations that women endure there, I would have liked it better. She tried to manipulate me into feeling pity for the poor little rich girl with tedious & amateurish fiction. None of it rang true.
The author lived in Saudi Arabia for ten years; I would have rather read an account of her experiences than this phony-sounding autobiography. It's right to expose these injustices, but the truth is enough; there's no need to embellish it with trumped-up characters.
For a moving & much better-written story of women behind the veil, I recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns.
FACT OR FICTION??? - By: blue, 30 Aug 2008 This is the second book I have read by this author & I can say that I was not impressed with this one as much as the first 'Mayada'.
As I am sure alot of what she says is true but does make you wonder how much! At times does seem a bit far fetched, the princess was said to be imprisoned/sufforcated in her lifestyle yet she has visited more countries,has more palaces,and purchases more goods from Harrods than the average human does in a life. If that seems like your idea of suffocation & imprisonment then she reallly needs to wake up.
Contaray to the fact that the autor said by writing this book she & the princess did not mean to denounce the faith of Islam is utter rubbish. At every opportunity the quraan has been mentioned to justify horrific acts, alll the quotes have been taken out of context. The author should have included the full meaning from the quraan rather than what she wanted the reader to know which is quite sad reallly. For the record, rape, killing, forced marriages & casual sex are forbiden in islam for MEN & women, which I feel was what lacked in this book the author should have mentioned that although the men in the family were enjoying alll the above it was forbidden in Islam for men & women to take part in such acts.
My first read of the author was a great experience but after this book I dont think I will waste my time on any of her books.
Interesting, compelling and eye opening - By: Lucy, 14 Jul 2008 
I reallly enjoyed this book. It was fascinating to say the least! I found the details about the rights & lives of women to be horrific & its reallly opened my eyes. The content is superb & vivid.
However I will say, the writing itself is not up to much. The author is/was a journalist & you can tell shes not a natural storyteller. Its quite sterile & she tries to hard at time to create a beautiful piece of writing. Failing at that yet succeeding in telling the world the Princesses story. Simple & effective. But dont expect a thrilling, tentatively told read.
UNABLE TO LEAVE IT DOWN - By: TAMMY, 09 Jan 2008 
I couldn't leave this book down.l love to get a real insight into how other women live.l had to buy the following two.You wont be disappointed.
Interesting but poorly written - By: Kendra, 01 Jan 2008 I found this book to be very interesting but very poorly written. The memoir is heart-wrenching (save the Princess' clear anti-Semitism), but the writing just doesn't flow. At alll. Nevertheless, I had a hard time putting it down, & read it in one sitting. And, then I read her other books, too.
Life in Saudi Arabia is awful. Life under Shari'a is awful. Life in the misogynistic Islamic society is awful. That is the thrust & truth of this book. And, although the princess is a very faithful believer-- & although she questions the lack of freedom women in her culture have-- she doesn't make the connection that is so easy for many of us here to see. Her country follows Shari'a which is mandated in the Koran. She's critical of the laws of Saudi Arabia but doesn't have the courage to criticallly question the foundation of those laws-- the Koran. Of course, if she did, she'd be considered blasphemous & consequently killed living over there. So, maybe SECRETLY she does. But, outwardly, she praised Islam & Allah & the Prophet just enough-- maybe in case her identity was discovered. . . which, of course, it eventuallly was (see follow up books).
When reading this book, keep in mind that it was written by a princess-- a woman afforded many of the luxuries & freedoms that a commoner would not have. And, STILL, she is repressed & imprisoned. She, at least, can go to New York & spend $250K in one weekend (which she does). Imagine the life of someone less privileged. Ugh. Truly hellish.
Here is a culture that okays honor killings, stonings, polygamy. Here is a culture where woman cannot leave the house without a father, brother, or husband acting as chaperone. Where she can't drive. Where she is fed anti-American & anti-Israeli propaganda from day one. Where she's at the mercy of her husband or father's whim. Where women are not appreciated as intellectual equals. Where intellectualism is discouraged, religious criticism condemned & deemed criminal.
Well, thank goodness I live in a free society founded on Judeo-Christian values. This memoir is another proof that although many cite the commonalities between Islam, Christianity, & Judaism, the fact is that Islam is not compatible or even favorably comparable with Christianity & Judaism (and even many Eastern religions) & that it is absolutely not a religion of peace. Here you have it (even when unintentional) from one of the princesses of Saudi Arabia herself.
