Absolutely gripping (Princess - Jean P. Sasson)

Member Name: angiebeev

Product:	Princess - Jean P. Sasson
Date:	02/09/05 (389 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can't put it down

Disadvantages: Your friends & family will become sick of you telling them about it

Having read Sassoon's, "Mayada", I was keen to read this trilogy. The insight given into a world which many of us will never experience first hand is absolutely intriguing and invaluable. The way in which this is written really allows the reader to imagine being there and be empathic towards the central character, Princess Sultana. The joy of this novel and the two sequals which follow, is that the characters are not fictional. Joy is maybe not the right word as there are many harrowing stories told about the plight of women in Saudi Arabia and just when you think that everything is running smoothly for the women in "Sultana's Circle" another dramatic event takes place. There are elements of comic relief throughout, especially when truculant teenagers are described kicking back at the traditional values of Islam and Sultana herself tries everything she can to get her older brother into trouble as a child. This is a bit like a car crash, you know that if you look further you may see something you don't particularly like but that does not stop you from rubber-necking around the next page. This trilogy has opened my eyes, there are many things in the world that we would rather not know about but any caring person with a soul should expose themselves to these things if they want to further their understanding of different and exciting cultures. The only down side? I am left wanting more, seven years have lapsed since the setting of the final book and there has to be more, especially since the death of the King of Saudi Arabia. Let's hope.

Summary: Sensational, believable, heart rending, amazing