Journal Entry 1 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 14, 2007

Very fascinating read about Somalia - of which I knew so little beforehand. And in some respects it sounds a bit nightmarish living there - eg. repression of women, female circumcision. But Waris is a Somalian herself, equally frustrated by these problems and yet she still loves her country and her people and this really comes through in her writing and allows you to see other aspects of the country.

She ran away from the country in her early teens to escape an arranged marriage and ended up becoming a model in the States - knowing little about fashion, I have never heard of her! This book is about a trip she takes back to Somalia to see her parents again after 20 years of living abroad. Her mother is an amazing character - so tough and independant.

It's also interesting to see the comparisons between Western and African lifestyles and attitudes. The chapter about her baby and the shock attitude of the American mother-in-law was one particular example. Although I get the impression that the mother-in-law would still have been telling her what to do whether she was African or not. 

Journal Entry 2 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 03, 2007

I had this book set at Available when I was running my first ever RABCK raffle. Neither of the winners had picked it, but a lot of people had entered for it so I thought I would set up a book ray for this. I will keep it open although I do now have a preliminary running order. If more people sign up, and they are welcome to, I will try and fit them in to keep the mailing list at its most cost effective!

OK, here are the participants:

Madmadge – UK (?)
Midlifecrisis – UK (prefers Europe)
Wickedlazy – UK (?)
Aspen72 – Finland Turku (anywhere)
Lottuli – Finland Helsinki (prefers Europe)
Niksu – Finland Helsinki (anywhere)
Sirah – Finland, Helsinki (prefers Europe)
Marja-Leena – Finland Oulu (Prefers Europe)
Katyan – Finalnd Jyvaskyla (prefers Europe)
Annelis – Finland Kerava (anywhere)
AgnesXNitt - UK (Europe)- skipped; own copy
LeishaCamden - Norway (anywhere)
Maria-Nunes – Portugal (anywhere – end of Europe group)
Bluedawn - Singapore (prefers Asia)
Totoroandmei – Japan (?) - asked to be skipped
Samutsari - Sri Lanka (?) - skipped, don´t know why
Loves2readalot – USA (US only)
Rockbird - USA (US only)

Possible continue...
MrBaggins1 - South Africa (Anywhere) 

Journal Entry 3 by madmadge from Christchurch, Dorset United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Arrived today and thank you so much OpheliaPhillips for making me first! I will read it and send it on ASAP. It looks very readable. :o) 

Journal Entry 4 by madmadge from Christchurch, Dorset United Kingdom on Sunday, November 04, 2007

What to say about this book? I enjoyed it and find it a great eye opener on what life is like in Somalia and how women are treated as second class citizens. It was very moving and quite upsetting. Somalians have a totally different outlook on life to the most of us but accept their lot with pride and fortitude. They don't have many possession and sometimes struggle to simply survive but they value family life and never stray from their age old traditions of doing things.

Waris's love for her family and her country shone through the whole story and the belief that eventually she could help to make changes to the way women are treated. She is a remarkable person.

I am PMing Midlifecrisis and will send it on as soon as I have her details. Thank you OpeheliaPhillips for including me in this ray.

 

Journal Entry 5 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Received today - thank you Madmadge. I will keep this moving as soon as I have finished my current read. 

Journal Entry 6 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Sunday, November 11, 2007

I really enjoyed this and echo the things said by the previous readers. The writing is very direct and "unauthorly" and I found it impossible to imagine how this woman managed to adapt to western culture when she evidently feels such affection for her homeland and upbringing. I did not realise this is just one of three books Waris Dirie has written and I will keep my eyes open for the first, which I believe is called "Desert Flower". Thank you for giving me the chance to read this. I will get it on its way as soon as possible. 

Journal Entry 7 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Posted at lunchtime today to wickedlazy. 

Journal Entry 8 by wickedlazy from Wickford, Essex United Kingdom on Thursday, November 15, 2007

safely received and right to the top of Mount Toobee.

I've read it now, and it was really interesting. I admire Waris for she speaks her mind, and it seems in Somalia, women are not allowed to have a mind. The cultural differences are amazing, and it made me realise that what a lot of rubbish we have in our homes, although I wouldnt want to go without a toothbrush or more than one mug. It also makes me thankful (as always) that I'm lucky enough to live somewhere with abundant water, food and no soldiers with guns, high on drugs.

Will PM the next in line. 

Journal Entry 9 by wickedlazy from Wickford, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, December 01, 2007

It was sent off to Finland yesterday. 

Journal Entry 10 by AspenYard from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Thank you. Book arrived today, and will stay in Finland for a while :)
I have couple of unfinished books ongoing; let's see whether I can wait until finishing them before starting this one. 

Journal Entry 11 by AspenYard from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Nicely written book and wonderful description of Somalian traditions and lifestyle and nature. I just recently read another book describing living in hot place, in northern part of Australia, and as I never have been in such place it's only up to my imagination to understand what really means hot(!). I feel it was quite well described here.
Despite all kinds of nightmarish things, I find many of those Somalian (and African) traditions still valuable and important, and worth of adapting, like breastfeeding or carrying babies or not using napkins or using local plants instead of using toothpaste or cosmetics etc., but at the same time it is both funny and sad to notice, how old ideas hinder the development of things, and how females do a lot of hard work but are still repressed by men with very dualistic views. In everywhere in the world, there should be more the kind of people like Waris; thinking, openminded, brave, critical, different...

Thank you for sharing this book OpheliaPhillips!!

"Tour de Finlande" continues soon...

Edit: Sent out to lottuli on 3rd Jan. 

Journal Entry 12 by lottuli from Pieksämäki, Etelä-Savo Finland on Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Book arrived already on Friday, sorry for delayed journal entry.

I started reading yesterday evening. A great book so far. Won't take long to finish this book.

Niksu shall get the book latest on our next regular Helsinki meeting in the end on January.

Edited on 9th Jan;
This book grabbed me and I've already read it! It was a great story with a happy ending. Now just want to read the previous book too; Desert Flower.

This book happened to come to me in correct time; I'm just reading one book that tells about the history of Islamic religion and culture. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5038447
One thing I can't stop wondering is the Female circumcision; If God would have wanted the women to have no clitoris I guess God would have created us without one instead of making us to clip it off?

I do like Waris a lot; she is really generous, kind, open, lovable person. And though she has been writing this book herself, she also criticizes her own actions and personality; the parts where she tells about the present she brought to Somalia and how she selfishly wanted her mother to move with her to New York.

I'm PMing Niksu today, to ask if she likes to get the book already this week. 

Journal Entry 13 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Wednesday, January 16, 2008

I got the book from lottuli when we met today. Thanks for the company at the Akateeminen bookstore also. (I bought two, lottuli none, good for her!) 

Journal Entry 14 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Monday, January 21, 2008

Journal Entry 15 by Sirah from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Monday, January 28, 2008

I got the book when meeting Niksu in our local meet-up. Thanks, everyone! 

Journal Entry 16 by Sirah from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Saturday, February 02, 2008

Well, since I´ve read Desert Flower which I found touching it was easy for me to understand the bitterness and emptines Waris felt. Even though having adapted the western life and way of living she felt she belonged more to Somalian community- despite of the aspects she critisized!

Now I´m looking forward to read the third book of the trilogy, Desert Children. It´s in my possession and I´m ready to share it with anyone interested. I do have the first part as well. So please, let me know if you guys are interested in either "Desert Flower" or "Desert Children" and I´ll arrange a bookring.

I´m contacting Marja-Leena for her address.

Edited February 3rd: I forgot that the "Desert Flower"-book I have is in Finnish and called "Aavikon kukka". Sorry:( But Finns, let me know! 

Journal Entry 17 by marja-leena from Oulu, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Finland on Thursday, February 07, 2008

I got the book today. I have some other BC-rings waiting too, but I will read this as soon as possible. 

Journal Entry 18 by marja-leena from Oulu, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Finland on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I am glad that this book has a positive side of Somalia as well. That is the author's love for her country. I was kind of waiting for a pure horror story of female Circumcision and tribal wars. Waris is not hiding dark sides but is telling about the beauty of the desert and her mother's strong spirit as well.She herself seems to be a very strong person herself and I wish all the best for her efforts to make a difference.

My opinion about her American mother-in-law's baby care is that the African way makes more sense for me. I am also looking for to read the two other books by Waris Dirie. 

Journal Entry 19 by katyan from Detroit, Michigan USA on Friday, March 14, 2008

This book arrived here today! Thank you! 

Journal Entry 20 by katyan from Detroit, Michigan USA on Sunday, March 16, 2008

This was another lovely book from Waris Dirie. It was nice to read how her life continued after the Desert Flower and how she could go back to Somalia & meet her family. At the beginning of the book the ignorance of the people sometimes bothered me, but however, it must be difficult to understand everything that is going on in the world if you can't read or write. But this is an enjoyable book indeed anyway. 

Journal Entry 21 by Annelis from Kerava, Uusimaa Finland on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Somebody had put the package under some magazines and consequently I did not see it yesterday. Well, the book is in Kerava and I'll read soon. At first I must visit Florence but I'll be back after a week. Thank you for the book! 

Journal Entry 22 by Annelis from Kerava, Uusimaa Finland on Tuesday, May 20, 2008

This book was a very interesting journey to desert and Somalia. People live so differently in different places of the world, but it is sometimes difficult to remember that.
I always get very angry when I read about men bullying women. In many countries - or in all countries and especially in Islamic countries - things would be so much better, if men would do their fair share of all kind of daily housework. Then they would have less time for quarrelling and making war.
The amount of work in a family should be divided about equally between the married couple. I think that as everyone eats he should also participate in cooking and in washing up the dishes. And everyone who wears clothes, should wash (and iron) them his fare share. And everyone who lives in a house should also participate in cleaning it. And if a couple gets a baby it is the responsibility of both of them to participate in that baby's daily care. There is only one thing in baby care that men can't do. Well, maybe it is impossible for men to carry a baby on their back or on their front side in desert or some other extreme places, but it is often seen here in Finland. And it is very nice to look at!

Of course, if only one of the married couple works outside home she or he has less time for the house work.
These every day responsibilities should be taught to all children regardless of their sex. Only then can they become independent persons if they know that they can manage all the daily necessities themselves.

As this book was written by a Somalian and it tells about Somalia it will be part of my Geographical Challenge

This book is my Book #38 for Guinaveve's Challenge Keep Them Moving 2008
 

Journal Entry 23 by Annelis from Kerava, Uusimaa Finland on Sunday, June 29, 2008

AgnesXNitt has got a copy of her own. Consequently I posted the book to LeishaCamden in Norway last week. Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 24 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Wednesday, July 02, 2008

This actually arrived yesterday, but I got home very late (after this!!) and was so sleepy that I accidentally switched off the computer before journalling this. :-)

Thanks to OpheliaPhillips for starting this ray and to everyone ahead of me for keeping it moving!! I'm sure this will be a very interesting read, and I will also be able to count this as the Somalian book for my 'A Book From Every Country' lifetime challenge. Yay. :-)

I'll probably start this in a couple of days after I finish my current nonfiction read. I'll journal again when I've read the book. 

Journal Entry 25 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I am so slow ... ! Seriously, I am like the slowest journaller ever. Shame on me. I have read this book, some weeks ago in fact. I just haven't gotten around to journalling it before now. I’m sorry! Better late than never, I hope.

This was an interesting read, perhaps not that well written, but very gripping and rather eye-opening. As someone else said already, the honest way the book is written is very appealing - Dirie shares her thoughts and actions whether they be good or bad, she doesn't make herself out to be better than she is. She seems to have a genuine view of sharing her thoughts and feelings through her book. Admirable IMO. :-) I also liked the way she presented Somalia, not hiding the bad sides but also presenting to the reader many reasons to love such a country which for us in the West has such a negative image.

I agree very much with Aspen72 about how old ideas stand in the way of new development - it really is a sad thing to see how so many chances are wasted in these countries because societies can't accept changes in their 'old ways' ... even when there is nothing sensible to be gained from clinging to those old ways.

This book was very much worth reading and I really appreciate getting this insight into Somalian culture. Thanks for sharing, OpheliaPhillips!! And again, I'm sorry for being sooo slow to journal the book. I will PM the next on the list and get the book moving again as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 26 by LeishaCamden at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Friday, August 01, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (8/1/2008 UTC) at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I sent this off to Maria-Nunes an hour ago. Happy travels, little book! :-) Thanks again for sharing to OpheliaPhillips, and thanks to everyone for keeping the ray moving. And happy reading to everyone else in this book's future. :-) 

Journal Entry 27 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, August 06, 2008

It has just arrived!
thanks for sharing and sending it along :-)

I'll try to read it asap. 

Journal Entry 28 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Saturday, August 16, 2008

What a wonderful book!
I really loved reading this amazing book, and I'll soon read Desert Flower as well.
Thank you so much for sharing this precious book!

I've PMed the next person on the list, so I am waiting for the reply in order to send it... 

Journal Entry 29 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, August 19, 2008

it's on its way to "Bluedawn" - Singapore 

Journal Entry 30 by bluedawn on Monday, September 22, 2008

Sorry for the delay, did not manage to get around to reading this for a while. This book was written in a very direct and simple way which helped to draw me into what Waris was thinking and feeling. It was good to see her close bond with her family and country in spite of their shortcomings. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Will PM the next in line 

Journal Entry 31 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Just a little update. I have sent PMs to both Bluedawn and Samutsari to find out what is happening with the book now and unfortunately no one has written back. I am hoping that this is just people getting busy with life and this ring will be moving again soon. On the other hand, it may be permanently wild now: in which case thanks to everyone who kept it moving (including that grand tour of Finland!) and sorry to the people who were further on in the ring. 

Journal Entry 32 by loves2readalot from Webster, Florida USA on Friday, December 05, 2008

The book came to me today.I will do my best to send it to the person after me. Could be awhile. Looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 33 by loves2readalot from Webster, Florida USA on Sunday, March 22, 2009

very informative on the life in Somalia. But I didnt like seeing the F word in it.will try to locate rockbird and send it on.