Journal Entry 1 by JadaAn from Arnold, Maryland USA on Monday, February 21, 2005

Saudi Arabia is probably the worst place for women in the Middle East. They are the most 'conservative', shall we say, in their treatment of women (or shall we say oppressive? Or how about abusive?) This is about ownership - like owning a dog. Funny that we use polite and relatively sterile words like 'conservative' when we can substitute these other, more accurately descriptive words. I thank Uncle Sam for our separation of church and state, and for a democratic form of government. From here it is safe to criticize the treatment of women. 

Journal Entry 2 by JadaAn at controlled release in Annapolis, Maryland USA on Monday, February 21, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (2/22/2005 UTC) at controlled release in Annapolis, Maryland USA

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To Pyan... 

Journal Entry 3 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Monday, February 28, 2005

Received today ... thank you! 

Journal Entry 4 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, March 01, 2005

From the inside summary:

"Recently named as one of the best 500 books written by women since the year 1300, Princess has been called 'riveting' and 'heart-wrenching.' Most importantly, this New York Times bestseller galvanized human rights activity all over the world. .... Many educators are listing Princess as required reading for their literature classes. .... Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage. You have never read a story like the story of Sultana, and you will never forget her or her Muslim sisters."

Reviews:

Oxford Review
"Fascinating...one is compelled to read just one more page, one more chapter once one has started this Arabian nightmare."

Kirkus Reviews
"A fascinating look at the lifestyles of the rich and Saudi."

Publishers Weekly
"Another page turner."

People
"Absolutely riveting and profoundly sad..."

Will be starting a bookring. 

Journal Entry 5 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Journal Entry 6 by Pyan at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (3/16/2005 UTC) at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Journal Entry 7 by LoveTeaAndBooks from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Monday, March 28, 2005

Book arrived today, in plenty of time before our move down south. I will start reading tonight. 

Journal Entry 8 by LoveTeaAndBooks from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, March 31, 2005

I received this as part of a bookring and couldn't wait to read...imagine my surprise when I received an email yesterday from a friend in another part of the country saying that she had ordered this and a few other books for me that have shipped from booksamillion.com! We had talked about this book several weeks ago, and she didn't realize that I was put on a bookring for it. Anyway, to make a long story even longer...I am mailing to Breeni in NC today since I will be receiving another copy soon. Thanks for letting me join this ring! 

Journal Entry 9 by LoveTeaAndBooks at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, March 31, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (3/31/2005 UTC) at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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off to North Carolina! 

Journal Entry 10 by Breeni from Rockwell, North Carolina USA on Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Received today! Thanks so much! 

Journal Entry 11 by Breeni from Rockwell, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Princess Sultana's story was heartbreaking and angering. I was disappointed to see that her fire and diligence were all for naught by the end of the book. I am also suspicious as to how Sultana can remain anonymous with the depth of the detail of her family and contacts illustrated in the book, which unfortunately puts some doubt in my mind as to the truth of Sultana's tale. Either way, it was an excellent and eye-opening novel.

Pmed Emb for address and will move this along ASAP. Thanks for the opportunity to read this, Pyan! 

Journal Entry 12 by Breeni at Mailed to BC member in Mailed to another BC member, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 14, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/14/2005 UTC) at Mailed to BC member in Mailed to another BC member, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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Sending to Emb. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 13 by Emb from Livonia, Michigan USA on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

rcvd today. Will start it on Friday : )

I started reading this book and it sounded very familiar and I then realized that I had read this quite a long time ago. It is an excellent book and gives you a thorough glimpse into the life of a Saudi Arabian woman. It demonstrated that even being a princess in that society does not protect you or offer you freedom. 

Journal Entry 14 by dancing-dog from Cordova, Tennessee USA on Tuesday, May 03, 2005

just got it & looking forward to reading it - thanks! 

Journal Entry 15 by dancing-dog from Cordova, Tennessee USA on Thursday, May 12, 2005

This was a very compelling book. Although I was not surprised at most of the incidents related in the book, I was none the less horrified by two things in particular - the decision of a father to ("legally") murder his daughter by drowning her in the family pool for her sexual misconduct and for the woman who was punished by a life-imprisonment in a windowless, padded cell in her family's home. This was another book which reminds me why I am grateful that I live in the US. The ending kind of left me wondering where Sultana is now (surely she must be living abroad by now) and if the book has helped accomplish any changes in her life or country ... I guess that's why there is another book about her daughters ... I may check out her website just out of curiousity - I thought Breeni had an interesting point about her anonymity.

Thanks for sharing this book! :) This will go out to MarciNYC next as soon as I hear from her. 

Journal Entry 16 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Monday, May 16, 2005

Received PM from dancing-dog that MarciNYC has asked to be skipped.

Book is still with dancing-dog pending receiving address from Caligula03.

 

Journal Entry 17 by dancing-dog from Cordova, Tennessee USA on Thursday, May 19, 2005

Put book in the mail to caligula03 May 17th - have a safe journey, Princess book! 

Journal Entry 18 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Monday, May 23, 2005

Book has arrived. Thank you. 

Journal Entry 19 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Saturday, June 18, 2005

Well written and infuriating at times. Jean Sasson writes with clarity and humor about life in an oppressive (and messed up) culture. For things to improve it will take a lot more women acting with bravery and determination. A handful of women can't change the culture by themselves. 

Journal Entry 20 by caligula03 at on Saturday, June 18, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/2/2005 UTC) at

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Mailing to Rebemdee during my next run to the post office. 

Journal Entry 21 by Rebemdee from Dublin, California USA on Thursday, July 07, 2005

Will start reading soon, thanks! 

Journal Entry 22 by Rebemdee from Dublin, California USA on Saturday, July 09, 2005

Read over two days; it's a quick read because of the basic writing style and interesting subject matter. I've read similar books in the past, including, "My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story." It amazes me that what I consider to be "asserting myself" is seen as a threat to the moral and religious fabric of a country. I am incredibly thankful I live in North America, and it is a reminder not to take my ability to work, drive, dress how I choose, and believe what I choose, for granted.

Will PM Sqdancer to get the book moving; I'll be able to mail next week. 

Journal Entry 23 by Rebemdee from Dublin, California USA on Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Mailed today airmail to Sqdancer in Canada, next on the ring! 

Journal Entry 24 by sqdancer on Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Arrived safe and sound.
Thank you :)
 

Journal Entry 25 by sqdancer on Monday, August 29, 2005

Oops! Mailed this out via Air Mail on Thursday. Sorry for the delayed journal entry.

Wow, what a story. It seems almost incredible from our safe, priviledged Western world. It is a real eye opener and gives us a sense of what it must be like to live that way.

Thank you so much for sharing.

 

Journal Entry 26 by eloisamos from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Arrived. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 27 by eloisamos from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Saturday, September 03, 2005

It was a great reading and sad too... I´m astonished with the courage of Sultana!
I will pm LyzzyBee now.
 

Journal Entry 28 by eloisamos at São Paulo in São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (9/14/2005 UTC) at São Paulo in São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil

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It goes to LyzzyBee. 

Journal Entry 29 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, September 26, 2005

Received in the post this morning. I have one short book to finish and then I will be able to start on this one.

Interestingly, I have the sequel to this in my TBR so will read that afterwards. 

Journal Entry 30 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

This was a very interesting book - I have read quite a lot of books about women in the Middle East so not a lot was surprising; but I think it is important to share this information with people who might not be so aware of it.

However, I do think this book should be read with a balance. For example, "Guests of the Sheik" which is about an American woman living in an Iraqi community. Not all women rail against the veil, and many find a freedom in living outside of the eyes of the men, and have close and happy female communities, and indeed close and happy marriages. Not all arranged marriages are unhappy, just as not all love marriages are happy. And at the moment, I find it hard to criticise other countries and cultures when our police gun innocent people down at Tube stations and my friend's Muslim mum is frightened to leave her home in E London for fear of "my" people's hatred and fear.

Sorry to rant there and this is not directed at any of the comments made by any other people on the ring! It's important to celebrate our individual freedoms while working against those who seek to curtail freedom in any way.

OK to lighten up a bit - I have, as I mentioned, the 2nd book in the series, and will be happy to send it on a ring to anyone off this list who would like to read it. Please PM me if you would like to join, I'll register it, and when I've read it I'll send it on!

PM'ing next member of this ring today - didn't realise I'd read it so quickly but I had a couple of long waits at the bus stop!!

Thanks for adding me to the list and thanks to Eloisamos for sending it all the way across the Ocean! 

Journal Entry 31 by LyzzyBee at on Friday, September 30, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (10/1/2005 UTC) at

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Posting to Reader1107 on Saturday. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 32 by reader1107 from Tucson, Arizona USA on Wednesday, October 05, 2005

How exciting to get this in the mail today! Just a glance tells me it'll be hard to put down! Thanks for sending it along! 

Journal Entry 33 by reader1107 from Tucson, Arizona USA on Sunday, October 30, 2005

What an awesome books this was! I didn't finish it until tonight because a bookring book arrived in the middle of my reading.

I remember as a child not being allowed to play catch with my father or play ball because I was a girl, and all the other things that were forbidden to me -- and yet how open my life was compared to if I'd been raised in Saudi Arabia during the same time period! This book was stunning -- the Woman's Room, her friend who was drowned, Sara's first marriage, her brother -- so much to think about! Thank you so much for including me in this book ray! 

Journal Entry 34 by reader1107 from Tucson, Arizona USA on Sunday, October 30, 2005

New book ray (order to be updated until it's sent out)

librarymousie -- USA
humberts-doll -- USA
shpriz1 -- USA
lilygirl -- USA
tbeckross -- USA
katyan -- Finland
Sirah -- Finland
j4neyo -- UK
scotsbookie -- UK
Hellie -- UK
LindyLouMac -- Italy <-- here
PRCS -- Canada
loveamystery -- Canada
bookreadera -- USA
namedujour -- USA
Karenlea -- USA
squirrel818 -- USA
KarenZero -- USA
morsecode -- USA
mairbu -- Japan
 

Journal Entry 35 by reader1107 at Enjoy! in Controlled Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (11/8/2005 UTC) at Enjoy! in Controlled Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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This book is now on its way in the first leg of its new book ray. I hope you like the book as much as I did!

Delivery confirmation number 0305 1720 0002 3649 0008 

Journal Entry 36 by librarymousie from Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Arrived today! Thank you, reader1107, for including me in this ray! 

Journal Entry 37 by librarymousie from Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, December 06, 2005

This was an absolutely fascinating read. I can't believe how little I know about the life of women in Saudi Arabia--a nation which is an American Ally in the politics-makes-strange-bedfellows way of the world.

Jean Sassoon says in her Author's Notes that as she listened to the story of Sultana and her sisters, she felt the sting of her own childhood fade--a real possibility for all who pick up this book. It's quite hard to feel sorry for oneself when reading about young girls executed for "fornication" [ie: rape] or imprisonment in the "Woman's Room" following a young woman's relationship with a non-Muslim foreigner.

Another journaler spoke of perhaps reading this book with another less extreme view--perhaps something to balance the opinion. I think I may look for other titles on the topic of women in the Middle East, or about traditional lives of Muslim women. Sultana's life may be typical for Saudi royalty, but is quite different from that experienced by Kuwaitis. Or Lebanese. This is not to take away from her story at all--simply to note that just as women from different Christian sects or different secular nationalities experience different lifestyles, the same holds true for Muslim women around the world.

I think what stood out to me most, though, in this reading was the fact that these women have no choice--no way out. For them, there is no balanced view, because there is no balance. There is nothing but the veil, and the "traditional" Saudi way.

This will be sent on its way pending receipt of address from humberts-doll. 

Journal Entry 38 by librarymousie from Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Sent to humberts-doll today via USPS Media Mail. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 39 by humberts-doll from Springfield, Missouri USA on Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Arrived today, and I plan to start reading it shortly. 

Journal Entry 40 by humberts-doll from Springfield, Missouri USA on Monday, December 26, 2005

This was a quick but by no means light read. I had a hard time putting this book down, and while the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia didn't surprise me, it was still shocking. Perhaps most disheatening was how some of the women seemed so close to escape but for different reasons were prevented from choosing another life. Like Breeni, I also wondered how Sultana could remain anonymous after this book came out. 

Journal Entry 41 by humberts-doll from Springfield, Missouri USA on Thursday, December 29, 2005

sent to shpriz1 today. 

Journal Entry 42 by shpriz1 from Brooklyn, New York USA on Tuesday, January 31, 2006

I can't believe that it took a MONTH for this book to get here...I am glad that it is finally here. 

Journal Entry 43 by shpriz1 from Brooklyn, New York USA on Thursday, February 09, 2006

This was a truly great book. I studied Saudi Arabia's criminal justice system last semester, so I wasn't surprised to read about punishments in this book. I really loved Sultana's spirit. I loved how she was trying to change things around her. Ever since she was a little girl. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books about Sultana and her family.
There was a quote in this book from Kahlil Gibran that I thought was truly magnificent: "Mayhap a funeral among men is a wedding feast among the angels." Wow...So much said in so little words. Simply brilliant.
I already have lilygirl's address and I will mail the book tomorrow.
 

Journal Entry 44 by lilygirl from Salem, Oregon USA on Saturday, May 27, 2006

An amazing book that I highly recommend. There is so much hope intermixed with a quiet despair that things will not change enough in Sultana's lifetime. Someone pointed out that her opinion is just one point of view and that is certainly shown in the book. The mothers and older generations illustrate the other side of thinking that accepts the veil and encourages the younger women to focus on their duties.

PMed tbeckross for address 

Journal Entry 45 by tbeckross from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Sunday, August 20, 2006

Received today, and as it happened to catch me in between books, I'll be starting it right away. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 46 by tbeckross from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Wednesday, September 13, 2006

I found this to be a very compelling memoir; I'm interested in reading more about the character and her daughters in the subsequent books.
Sending to Finland tomorrow! 

Journal Entry 47 by katyan from Detroit, Michigan USA on Friday, November 10, 2006

Princess arrived to Finland today! 

Journal Entry 48 by katyan from Detroit, Michigan USA on Saturday, December 09, 2006

Oh, this was a good, interesting, truly touching & sad story. I just read an article about people from Saudi Arabia going to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to spend some more relaxed time... So I guess things are still quite the same over there, as described in this book. However, I felt the message of this book important, I hope the silent women in the same situation will be heard throught this book.
The book will travel next to Sirah. 

Journal Entry 49 by Sirah from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Monday, December 18, 2006

Got the book today. Thanks a lot Katyan for the lovely handmade Season´s Greetings-card! Say hello to Satya from me! 

Journal Entry 50 by Sirah from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Saturday, January 27, 2007

Quite an interesting read! Treatment of women in Saudi Arabia is truly comparable to the one of women in Iraq, Afghanistan,... I admired the braveness of Sultana how she fought against the males of family and society as well as her somehow humoristic attitude. She was a spitfire that rebelled the men! Looking forward to read the book of Sultana´s daughters.

This book is next heading to UK as soon as I get j4neyo´s address.

Thank´s for the ray!

 

Journal Entry 51 by j4neyo from Whitchurch, Shropshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 08, 2007

Received safely in the post yesterday - many thanks to Sirah. I started reading it last night and may get to finish it today as I'm snowed in! 

Journal Entry 52 by j4neyo from Whitchurch, Shropshire United Kingdom on Friday, February 09, 2007

A quick but absorbing read. While being outraged at the treatment and position of women in Saudi Arabia, I struggled with the apathy of the Royal family there when they had so many riches at their disposal. 

Journal Entry 53 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, February 16, 2007

Arrived safely this morning, thank you. #2 on mount TBR. 

Journal Entry 54 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, March 01, 2007

An interesting read, I was aware of the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia as distinct from the rest of the Muslim world. The only slight problem I had with the book was, I'm not sure how to put it, perhaps, self-serving tone of Sultana, this could of course be the fault of Jean Sasson.

I have already PM'd Hellie for her details.

8 Mar 2007 ETA: PM'd & emailed Hellie again today. 

Journal Entry 55 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, March 16, 2007

As I have had no reply to PMs or emails to Hellie I'm now going to PM LindyLouMac. 

Journal Entry 56 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, March 19, 2007

Popped in the post to LindyLouMac this morning as I never got a reply from Hellie via PM or email. 

Journal Entry 57 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Saturday, March 24, 2007

Wow,I signed up for this in November 2005. What a well travelled book it has turned out to be. Thanks to reader1107 for giving me the opportunity to read this and to scotsbookie for sending on. As Hellie was skipped I will now check where reader1107 wants this to go next?
Five bookcrossing parcels arrived for me this am, thank goodness three were actually for my husband to read, as he struggled back from our post box with them, mumbling 'more books'!!! I have a couple of books ahead of this but will get to it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 58 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Monday, April 09, 2007

A compelling and disturbing read. Life in the Royal family of Saudi Arabia is certainly not an easy or a happy one, certainly for many of the younger women. They have so much money at their disposal and obviously live lives of great luxury, never wanting for the material things of life! However money does not buy happiness in what to outsiders is such a cruel world. This will certainly make you appreciate the western lifestyle and the freedom of women within our world.
I will be sending this title on after Easter as soon as I have heard back from PRCS.
10/04/07 PRCS has asked to be skipped so now waiting to hear from loveamystery.
11/04/07 loveamystery has asked to be skipped so will now make contact with bookreadera. 

Journal Entry 59 by LindyLouMac at by mail in to the next participant, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 23, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (4/24/2007 UTC) at by mail in to the next participant, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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With apologies for the delay, cause somewhat out of my hands though. At last en route again to the next interested person on the list bookreadera in the USA.

Update March 2009: It seems this book never arrived? However today another copy has come into my hands.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7035519/
I am going to contact the ring originator and see if she would like to use this copy to continue the ring? 

Journal Entry 60 by reader1107 from Tucson, Arizona USA on Friday, July 17, 2009

This book is not caught and is still lost somewhere. However, the book ray has been restarted with http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7035519 a book donated by LindyLouMac. Only two people from the lost ray answered my PMs, and only one of those wanted to be on this list.