A very interesting book.

As a whole, I truly liked it. The writing style was very nice and engaging. However, I did find the frequent jumping from one country to another and from one occasion to another a bit confusing at times. But the main reason I picked up this book was to gain information about women and their roles in Islamic societies, and in that regard, I was satisfied as I got that information already.

It was quite an enlightening read, despite the minor confusion. It made me think about the various aspects of women's lives in different Islamic cultures and how their roles have evolved over time.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about this particular topic. It provides a good overview and offers some valuable insights.

I'd give this 6 stars if I could.

What an eye-opening and fascinating read it is about the Muslim world and the women within it who have to abide by the Qur'an and some of its ancient laws. Just like any religion, there can be diverse interpretations of a script. However, there are fundamental laws that truly rob women of their rights to their bodies, their freedom, their health and safety, their children, their innocence, and ultimately their lives. 'Honour' killings still occur, which is truly tragic.

This book, written by a journalist who traveled, lived, and interviewed women personally, has deeply moved me and provided a glimpse into these extremely restricted and veiled worlds.

Fascinating, sad, maddening, and beautifully written without prejudice, it is an education for us all.

I thank God that I was born into the world that I am in. It makes me realize how fortunate I am compared to those women who face such hardships and limitations in their daily lives. This book has broadened my perspective and made me more aware of the issues that women in different parts of the world are dealing with. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complex and often overlooked aspects of the Muslim world and the challenges faced by women within it.

This book was written in the mid-1990s after Brooks had been stationed as a journalist in the Middle East. I read it both before and after 9/11. I firmly believe that it remains highly relevant even today.

Each chapter showcases an aspect of Islamic culture or beliefs that are still practiced in the present - such as the wearing of the veil, the education of women, and clitorectomies, among others. The chapters commence by linking the issue to the time of Mohammed. Brooks then delves into the subject in several Muslim countries that interpret and enforce the issue in diverse ways. Thanks to her connections, Brooks is able to disclose the life of women that we are seldom allowed to witness.

As a result of reading this book, I have gone on to read the following related books. I truly feel a stronger connection to the current world after having read all of them.

• READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN: A MEMOIR IN BOOKS By Azar Nafisi

• THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL by Asne Seierstad

• THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini

• A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini

• THREE CUPS OF TEA: ONE MAN'S MISSION TO PROMOTE PEACE.. ONE SCHOOL AT A TIME by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

These additional books have further enhanced my understanding and appreciation of different cultures and perspectives, broadening my horizons and deepening my connection to the global community.

Brooks is a journalist who dedicated several years to working in the Middle East.

Initially, she faced numerous challenges and made little progress in her work. However, her perspective changed when she started engaging in conversations with the women in the region.

She adopted a strategic approach by covering the easier topics first, which was indeed a very good idea. This allowed her to build a foundation and gain a better understanding of the local culture and society.

As I delved into the book, I was truly fascinated by the women's clothing. I had never realized the remarkable variety that existed, depending on the specific country she was in.

By the time I reached the end of the book, the more difficult topics began to surface, and the reading became more challenging. The many rules that govern women in the Middle East have a profound impact on every aspect of their lives.

Moreover, these rules are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the complex issues of polygamy and genital mutilation. It is important to note that the author is in no way anti-Islam. Instead, she is simply trying to understand the religion and its impact on women from a woman's point of view, which is undeniably difficult.

Overall, Brooks' work provides a valuable insight into the lives of women in the Middle East and challenges readers to consider the complex issues that they face.

Truly fascinating book! It delves into things and issues that we only now hear more about when faced with these issues in Europe. The author has visited and lived in various Middle Eastern countries, which gives the book an authentic touch.

The book finds a nice balance between criticism and understanding traditional female roles in Islam. The authentic Muslim female voices give us a far more sympathetic and grounded look at their human rights. We get to read about their experiences living under Islamic rules, their very different positions in life and opportunities, and also the small ways they are claiming back public spaces and important public positions.

The parts about Iran are very educational. Some women were empowered by the Islamic revolution, while others lost a great portion of their rights. The contradictions in Islam can be mind-boggling. For example, the legal “short-term” marriage certificate in Shia Islam allows for a night of marriage, but stepping outside the house without a chador is considered a serious offense.

As in any society, there are good and bad people in the Muslim world. There are many stories of happy marriages and a family-oriented society, but there is also a dark side. Beatings, separation of divorced mothers from their children, inequality between wives, and fears of the husband bringing home a second wife are just some of the issues. The oppression of female relatives, female genital mutilation, child marriage, and risky pregnancies are also serious problems.

Some use religion as an excuse to oppress people, especially in Saudi Arabia. Their views on veiling, women's roles and jobs, and gender segregation are transforming existing cultures into copies of Saudi Arabia. The beautiful traditional costumes, songs, dances, literature, and architecture are being erased.

The truth is that Islam nowadays offers a more damaging view of human and especially women's rights than other religions. However, where more freedom to interpret the Koran and rules is given, new ways to address inequality are found. Iranian women's fight for their rights to healthy living, sport, and equal rights is a great example.

The book also shows us Muslim men who are observant practitioners of their religion and egalitarian husbands, but there are also lazy and abusive ones. A religion that allows beating one's wife does not help keep them in check. Add a culture that prohibits others from interfering, and it can turn into a disaster.

Clear breaking down of the holy scripts of Islam shows the historical background of the rules governing women. The explanations of women's roles in the early days of Islam are highly educational. The influences of various readings and the creation of new rules in the past century have negated the positive aspects of the faith for Arab women.

I'm just sad that the revolutionary and emancipator elements within Islam are suppressed. Every religion has to adapt to changing cultural mores and new understandings of justice and morality. Islam can learn from the West and still keep its philosophy and culture. We need to support and endorse the positive elements inside the religion and let women create a more egalitarian Islam.

A very interesting non-fiction book written by an author I was familiar with for her excellent fiction. I was completely unaware that Geraldine Brooks began her career as a journalist. She had extensive conversations with women from various walks of life, mostly from wealthier backgrounds, in many different Islamic countries. Some of these countries, like Saudi Arabia, are extremely strict and fundamentalist, while others, such as Egypt, are more liberal. The book was penned many years ago. Since then, many countries have become even more fundamentalist, so I assume that much of what she wrote still holds true today.

I had expected the book to focus a great deal on the pleasures, happiness, and satisfaction that these women experience, even if we Westerners may not fully understand it. However, the tone was far more grim than I had anticipated. Although the author never really strays from her Western perspective, the way she documented and commented on things made me realize that the West should be more vocal about many of these practices towards women, especially those that are not based on the Koran or Islam. We strive to be culturally sensitive, but one point she made at the end of the book really hit home. She states that at this stage in our history, we would likely impose sanctions on a country that was half white and half black if that country did not allow the blacks to leave home, obtain custody of children, have fair trials, drive, and so on. Well, this is precisely what Saudi Arabia is doing to half of its population, which is female, yet it barely elicits a peep from us.

This book is truly enlightening.

It presents a wealth of objective information, covering various aspects of the subject matter in a comprehensive and detailed manner.

The writing style is excellent, making it a pleasure to read. The author has done a great job of presenting complex ideas in a clear and understandable way.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert in the field, this book has something to offer. It provides valuable insights and perspectives that can help you gain a deeper understanding of the topic.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about this subject. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and视野.

Overall, this is an outstanding book that I would not hesitate to recommend to others.

A great book is like a magical portal that transports us to different worlds, filled with captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and profound ideas. It has the power to inspire, educate, and entertain us all at the same time. Whether it's a classic novel, a thrilling mystery, or a thought-provoking non-fiction work, a great book has the ability to leave a lasting impact on our lives.

One of the most remarkable aspects of a great book is its ability to make us feel emotions we never thought possible. We can laugh out loud at the hilarious antics of the characters, cry tears of joy or sadness at their triumphs and tragedies, and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as we turn the pages, eager to find out what happens next.

Moreover, a great book can also expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. It can introduce us to new cultures, ideas, and perspectives, and help us to see things from a different point of view. It can challenge our beliefs and assumptions, and encourage us to think more deeply and critically about the issues that matter.

In conclusion, a great book is truly a treasure that we should all cherish. It has the power to enrich our lives in countless ways, and it is a source of inspiration and entertainment that we can return to again and again. So, if you haven't already discovered the joy of reading a great book, I highly recommend that you do so today!

I'm fairly conflicted in what I wish to say about Nine Parts of Desire. On one hand, I learned a great deal from it. The overarching takeaway for me is that more than 20 years have elapsed since this book was first published, and the world is constantly evolving. Demonstrating one's faith visibly can be perilous, and it has only worsened since 9/11 and November 2016.

The remarkable aspect of Geraldine Brooks is the accessibility and comprehensibility of her explanations for things that have long puzzled me. I'm ashamed to confess that I formerly thought belief systems were essentially a monolith. Given the wide variability of "rules" among Christians, it was foolish of me to think so. I'm a typical Christian, yet there are sects of people professing the same Faith who would never consider my beliefs in line with theirs. Ms. Brooks assisted me in understanding that similar issues affect Islamic women.

In 1995, whether or not a woman was permitted to be employed, travel without a male relative's permission, or leave an abusive marriage depended on the country she happened to be living in. What was acceptable in Egypt might not be in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Some women choose their lives, through conversion or otherwise distancing themselves from secular life, while others are born into the ceremonies and strictures of a devout home.

Brooks elucidates, as clearly as possible in understandable language for laypeople like myself, the relationship between the Koran and the Hadith, how the Prophet's wives influenced Islamic Scripture, and how those Scriptures have been redefined as different cultures and regimes have emerged. She also discusses the past and present situations of women in various parts of the Middle East, and how they have changed due to political upheavals or growing fundamentalism. I also learned that some cultural practices, such as clitoridectomy, still afflict some young women.

One quote that remained with me as I read the book is:

Like most Westerners, I always imagined the future as an inevitably brighter place, where a kind of moral geology will have eroded the cruel edges of past and present wrongs. But in Gaza and Saudi Arabia, what I saw gave me a different view. From there, the future is a place that looks darker every day.

I'm extremely curious to know if the women Brooks spoke to more than 25 years ago would still talk to her now, and if so, what they would say.

It was truly gruesome, harrowing, and almost unbelievable. One could only wish that it were a work of fiction rather than a harsh reality. After delving into this book, my respect for Muslim women, particularly those who have managed to thrive despite all the religious obstacles, has grown manifold.

It was a rapid and comprehensive journey that spanned from the times of Nabi to the present-day Muslim countries. The story was told exceptionally well and was truly breathtaking.

This is my very first time reading about the history of Nabi, his household, and the birth and flourishing of Islam. I came across a plethora of courageous ladies who persisted in the face of the most stringent conditions, despite having to endure severe handicaps such as genital mutilation. I wholeheartedly hope for a better future and a more favorable deal for them.

It is essential to understand and appreciate the struggles and sacrifices of these women, as their stories are an integral part of history. By learning from their experiences, we can strive to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Overall, this book has been an eye-opening and enlightening experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the rich and complex history of Islam and the remarkable women who have played a significant role in its development.

This book provided an engaging look into the lives of Muslim women across a diverse range of Muslim countries. Geraldine Brooks did a remarkable job in delving into numerous practices and endeavoring to trace their origins back to the Koran.

Composed in the mid-1990s, it was fascinating to read about the emergence of fundamentalism in the Muslim world, written prior to 9/11. I am keen on conversing with an individual from an Islamic background to gain a better comprehension of how accurate and balanced they believe the portrayal by Ms. Brooks truly is.

From my vantage point, it appeared to be a just treatment, yet my perspective is influenced by my Western way of thinking. I would like to compare viewpoints on this with someone who adheres to Islam to obtain their perspective as well.

This would enable a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter, taking into account different cultural and religious perspectives. It would also facilitate a more in-depth exploration of the complex issues surrounding the lives of Muslim women and the role of Islam in their daily experiences.

Overall, this book offers a valuable starting point for such discussions and I look forward to engaging in them with others.

There is an abundance of information about clothing in this book. For example, I could have utilized a diagram to clarify the distinctions between a burka and a hijab. However, a rapid Google search failed to provide me with the results I was anticipating.

I have never perused the Koran previously, so I was grateful for the references to the scriptures. I was also unaware of the existence of hadith. My knowledge of Muslim history is extremely limited, so learning about the prophet Muhammed's wives was truly enlightening. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of understanding and appreciation for this rich and complex culture.

I look forward to delving deeper into the subject and continuing to expand my knowledge. Maybe in the future, I will be able to create that diagram myself and share it with others who are also interested in learning about the differences between these two important pieces of clothing in the Muslim faith.