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

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
"In this stunningly written book, a Western trained Muslim doctor brings alive what it means for a woman to live in the Saudi Kingdom. I've rarely experienced so vividly the shunning and shaming, racism and anti-Semitism, but the surprise is how Dr. Ahmed also finds tenderness at the tattered edges of extremism, and a life-changing pilgrimage back to her Muslim faith." - Gail Sheehy

The decisions that change your life are often the most impulsive ones.

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 land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong.

What she discovers is vastly different. The Kingdom is a world apart, a land of unparralled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty and love.

And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity. A place where she discovers what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women. (20080801)

Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Very Cinematic - This would make a great movie! September 8, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

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!

5 out of 5 stars

Execllent Book September 18, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

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, and will make it a more nurturing place for all of the youth of Saudi, because as of now, they seem to be extremely lost in materialism and are only seeking pleasure and instant gratification.

5 out of 5 stars

Long overdue for ALL Amercians (not just women) to read October 2, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

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!

3 out of 5 stars

a slightly less enthusiastic review October 7, 2008
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

I purchased this book because I am very interested in the topic; in this regard the book delivered. It is interesting and indeed has a unique perspective.

I found myself very frustrated, however, with some of the more technical aspects of the book. Many of the footnotes were entirely missing (that is, superscript numbers appeared in the text with no corresponding footnotes). There were also quite a few grammatical and spelling errors, and even some incomplete sentences. In other cases, words were simply mis-used (and a few of these were really bothersome things that a physician shouldn't mess up, such as using the word "prostate" when she meant "prostrate" on page 12).

Other parts of the book simply felt careless; portions were very repetitive, others were contradictory. For example, the patient that is introduced on page 2 as "comatose" is described on page 4 as follows: "Thin arms lay flaccid at the side of her supine body, palms upwards..." and then just three paragraphs later we see: "Small brown hands were clenched in a sleeping fist." Which is it? Little things like this really got to me throughout the book.

Despite all this, the book did have some very good insights and is probably a worthwhile read. However, if you are a person who cares about grammar, usage, spelling, or storyline continuity then prepare to be frustrated throughout this book.

5 out of 5 stars

Very good book September 14, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

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.

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