In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom

by Qanta Ahmed and Qanta A. Ahmed

Book Overview

A strikingly honest look into Islamic culture?--in particular women and Islam?--and what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women.

Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402210876
• ISBN13: 9781402210877
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom

I loved this book because the author describes her experience as a female doctor and a Moslem in the Saudi Kingdom in tremendous detail that you feel as if you are there with her. All the characters contribute to her story. I also liked that the chapters were short and concise. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the Saudi culture, religion and the place of women in their country. There was nothing that I disliked about her book.

Long overdue for ALL Amercians (not just women) to read

This book is a fascinating account of the experiences of a Muslim female physician, educated in the U.K. and America. What is amazing is that Saudi Arabia has been our 'ally' and formidable trading partner, but that 99.9% of have us have no clue as to the ideological and spiritual compass of the people of this country. We just know they are our 'friends' and that our 'friends' spawned a terrorist named Osama Bin Laden (then again, Tim McVeigh used to work at WalMart). This book gives great insight into the value system and machinations of this culture and its religion, and presents some historical perspective on how its modern day presence evolved. The book is not the first but one of the best narratives of the shocking disparity between men and women in Saudi society. Dr. Ahmed described her experiences with colour, insight, and perspective. Yet she refrains from coarse judgment, appropriately so, as the modern Saudi people are proud and principled society. Hopefully our next President (and Vice president) will bring it to the White House Book Club!

The Real World

This book is very insightful into the life of women in Saudia Arabia.This is a very good example of the rights and priviledges women do not have.

Execllent Book

I have experienced Jeddah as a Muslim American woman as well, and Dr. Ahmed's book finally gives a point of view that is relatable and realistic, without bashing Islam or giving a one sided interpretation. I loved this book. I had the same experience when I first put on an abaya in Saudi Arabia. I finally felt invisible. It was worst for me because I'm very white, and a lot of guys would try to hit on me. Once, in Medina, I was followed down the street by a group of guys, and they kept saying obscenties to me in arabic. I finally walked into a store and had the shop keepr come out and yell @ them. After that, I started covering my face if i went out alone. Don't get me wrong, I am completly against covering your face, I think its so exterme, but It made things A lot easier for me when i went out alone in mecca and medina. My favorite thing to read about in the book is probably the dynamics you had at work with all your male coworkers. Its nice to know that not all men in Saudi look down upon women, and I think my favorite male character from the hospital would have to be Haydar. I loved the support he had for Ghadah, something you rarely find in men in the middle east, especially in Saudi Arabia. My favorite female character is definitely Dr. Maha. I love the fact that she fights for the rights of Children in Saudi arabia. Your story about the young camel rider was so sad, I can't believe stuff like that happens over there. Thats a side of Saudi I haven't heard of, and I'm glad its talked about in your book. Another favorite part in the book is about the car accident, with the guys coming from Bahrain. The way Saudi men drive is sooooo reckless, and I hate it. Its just the most selfish act ever. Saudi has the highest mortality rate for car accidents in the world, and its all because of these rich guys playing with their toys. The sad thing I noticed when I was in jeddah was how disconnected all the kids I met are from their families. They are all being raised by housekeepers, and they have no sense of family. Instead they just shop and eat their grief away. Saudi is a HUGE consumer society. All they do is eat and shop. I felt bad for them, they just radiated this feeling of loneliness. These guys that are driving 100,000$ cars are the ones that were probably raised by a series of poor maids or as I like to call them indentured servants. There are so many other parts I loved in the book. I loved how you gave a true interpretation of Islam, and explained the dynamics of the Saudi government. Most people think saudi is this way because of Islam, and they don't realize it has nothing to do with Islam, it has to do with a corrupt group of people who have interpreted Islam for their own benefit. Your book really gave me hope for the future of the Saudi people, especially their youth. I was so sad when I left jeddah, because of the youth that I met. Hopefully, the people you spoke about and many more of them will help change this country, a

Very good book

This is a wonderful book, interesting and honest. I learned a lot from it about a country I will probably never be able to visit (I'm an Israeli). It's not easy to be a woman in Saudi Arabia! But the sympathetic picture painted by Dr. Qanta of her colleagues--both Saudi and ex-pat--is indicative of a country caught in a complex vise of modernity and backward religious elements. The author's description of her haj is fascinating and touching.

Very Cinematic - This would make a great movie!

I read this over the weekend, based on the Dianne Rheme interview and I couldn't put it down. The language is very descriptive in a very personal and equally unconventional way. There are dozens of images and scenes that I can picture vividly. This was a real joy!