A moderately good read, in an interesting way. Reading about the oppression of women is never an enjoyable thing, and to be honest I'm not sure what I was expecting but this book didn't take me any further in understanding the ways women are oppressed in the middle east and (more importantly) what is being done about it.

That said, the book was a good portrait of a family. I found the style a little clunky and I'm not sure the accolades were deserved.

Taking this one to the Wellington meet-up tonight.

An interesting read. It adds relatively little to the understanding of the ongoing oppression of women in fundamentalist islamic society, which has been captured in a number of other books. However, this book also looks at the oppression of men in this society - which tends to be overlooked with the focus on the higher profile poor treatment of women.

Occasionally fragmented, overall I found this book well written and one I would recommend to those interested in understanding a culture which is so alien to our liberated western existence.

Loaned to a friend holidaying in NZ

Friend returned, not a bookcrosser so I'm journaling on her behalf. She thought that the book was interesting, particularly as she was a female writer and could therefore move between the female and male worlds in a way that the women in the story were not able.

Passed to a fellow book group member 24/07/07

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Left in the waiting area for Day Surgery, Level 3