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East of Mecca
This moving and unforgettable novel, East of Mecca, tells a timely, harrowing, and heartbreaking story of love and betrayal, the transcendent power of sisterhood, and the ultimate price of oppression. Driven by financial desperation, Sarah and Max Hayes are seduced by promises of a glamorous expatriate lifestyle in Saudi Arabia. Sarah surrenders her career when Max accepts a prestigious job with Ocmara Oil Company and they relocate their family to the shores of the Persian Gulf. Locked inside the heavily-guarded Ocmara compound, Sarah becomes invisible within the male-dominated, fundamentalist, Islamic Kingdom, which is governed by sharia law. Gradually, she is drawn into a clandestine, illicit friendship with Yasmeen, a Muslim Saudi woman. Together they find freedom beneath the veils and behind the walls of the Saudi women’s quarters—until inconceivable events force Sarah to make life-or-death decisions. Told with riveting authenticity and exquisite detail, East of Mecca explores gender apartheid through the abuse of absolute power with an elegant balance of cultural nuance and moral inquiry. Long after you have turned the last page, you will be haunted by the vivid characters and powerful scenes illuminating this tour de force.
338 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2013
215 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Flaherty
1 book16 followersSheila Flaherty is an Army brat who grew up to be a writer and clinical psychologist. She earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, and has had a thriving private practice in the Chicago area, except for one year spent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While in Saudi, Sheila’s compassion led her to practice counseling secretly with American and Saudi women. This experience inspired her to write East of Mecca, a story about women within the confines of a violent, oppressive, male-dominated society. Sheila has placed in numerous screenwriting competitions, including the Nicholl Fellowship, Big Break, BlueCat, and Table Read my Script:London. East of Mecca was a Finalist in the 2018 Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York and a Finalist in the 2005 CineStory Screenwriting Competition. East of Mecca was awarded a Silver Nautilus Book Award in Fiction for 2015, is IndieReader Approved with a 5-star review, and named one of the best self-published books of 2016 by IndieReader. East of Mecca has a near 5-star review from over one hundred readers on Amazon and is also an Amazon Best Seller in Middle Eastern Literature. Flaherty has been awarded three residencies at the Ragdale Foundation for her work in fiction. Sheila's life mission is to enlighten, inspire, and empower others for the greater good. A majority of all profits from sales of East of Mecca will go toward providing funding for women and girls to meet their most profound needs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 25, 2019
My mom insisted that I read this book after reading it herself, and I now understand why.
As a woman, reading about this culture that is so rigid and unrelenting and oppressive, especially toward women, I was horrified. I found parts of this book extremely disturbing, and at time struggled to continue reading. I was raised to be a strong, independent woman and I could not conceive living under these conditions, even for a short period of time as was intended for the expats in the story.
Towards the end the book was gripping, and I found myself simultaneously unable to put it down and yet unwilling to find out how it ended.
An important novel that raises cultural awareness and reminds us that although society continues to progress with regards to the empowerment of women, there are many who still face a very different reality on a daily basis.
As a woman, reading about this culture that is so rigid and unrelenting and oppressive, especially toward women, I was horrified. I found parts of this book extremely disturbing, and at time struggled to continue reading. I was raised to be a strong, independent woman and I could not conceive living under these conditions, even for a short period of time as was intended for the expats in the story.
Towards the end the book was gripping, and I found myself simultaneously unable to put it down and yet unwilling to find out how it ended.
An important novel that raises cultural awareness and reminds us that although society continues to progress with regards to the empowerment of women, there are many who still face a very different reality on a daily basis.
December 3, 2019
That's what the great ones do...
Sheila Flaherty is a great writer and East of Mecca is a great book.
In the course of 304 pages, Sheila escorts the reader through a gamut of human emotions that we often choose to overlook or ignore, as well as ones we embrace with joy and anticipation. All within the context of a riveting story.
That's what great writers do.
I was at times...and often simultaneously...enraged, saddened, incredulous, fulfilled, terrified, optimistic, indignant, frustrated, warmed and militant.
And ultimately, thankful that a writer's craft could somehow overcome the noise and distractions of everyday life and reconnect me to my humanity.
The story line is authentic and engaging, and the characters richly drawn. I felt I already knew them all. Both the adults and the kids. And even Mimi the cat. And just as in real life, there were some I was honored to see again, and others I would just as soon have not had to endure again for even a moment.
East of Mecca is indeed the intersection in the universe where the finely tuned empath psychologist's heart meets the power of a mega-gifted writer.
And no matter the direction you take at that intersection, it will take you to a better place.
Sheila Flaherty is a great writer and East of Mecca is a great book.
In the course of 304 pages, Sheila escorts the reader through a gamut of human emotions that we often choose to overlook or ignore, as well as ones we embrace with joy and anticipation. All within the context of a riveting story.
That's what great writers do.
I was at times...and often simultaneously...enraged, saddened, incredulous, fulfilled, terrified, optimistic, indignant, frustrated, warmed and militant.
And ultimately, thankful that a writer's craft could somehow overcome the noise and distractions of everyday life and reconnect me to my humanity.
The story line is authentic and engaging, and the characters richly drawn. I felt I already knew them all. Both the adults and the kids. And even Mimi the cat. And just as in real life, there were some I was honored to see again, and others I would just as soon have not had to endure again for even a moment.
East of Mecca is indeed the intersection in the universe where the finely tuned empath psychologist's heart meets the power of a mega-gifted writer.
And no matter the direction you take at that intersection, it will take you to a better place.
March 31, 2022
Toxic masculinity, oppression, man’s inhumanity to man, and absolute control through religion are all horrifying themes throughout the book. Easily recognizable within a culture but can be hidden deep inside a marriage and silently approved by a culture. Abused and trapped certainly not how we want to treat animals, let alone life partners, daughters and friends. Deeply saddened by this book but eye opening in terms of how money and power can seduce us into untenable situations.
“Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are still not done with me. A fleeting glimpse of a black shadow, dark eyes above a mask, a story of yet another woman or girl sacrificed in the name of honor can haunt me for months.”
Sheila Flaherty - East of Mecca
“Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are still not done with me. A fleeting glimpse of a black shadow, dark eyes above a mask, a story of yet another woman or girl sacrificed in the name of honor can haunt me for months.”
Sheila Flaherty - East of Mecca
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November 5, 2013
The triumph of this novel is that it is at once a deeply thoughtful meditation on themes like power, gender, and cultural context and also a classic "what will happen next?" pageturner. The plot really picks up in the final chapters, so once you hit the halfway mark, good luck putting it down before you reach the last page.
It is the kind of book you have to talk about once you're done, so you'll bug your friends to read it, you'll make your book club pick it. You cannot help but wonder -- what would I do if I found myself in the same situation? What would my friends and family do? And here is the central tension in the story: can our individual values and convictions withstand any cultural pressure or are we doomed to the power of the situation?
I highly recommend this book, and hope it will spark important conversations about the danger of denying women control over their own lives in other countries and in our own.
It is the kind of book you have to talk about once you're done, so you'll bug your friends to read it, you'll make your book club pick it. You cannot help but wonder -- what would I do if I found myself in the same situation? What would my friends and family do? And here is the central tension in the story: can our individual values and convictions withstand any cultural pressure or are we doomed to the power of the situation?
I highly recommend this book, and hope it will spark important conversations about the danger of denying women control over their own lives in other countries and in our own.
March 7, 2016
Loved loved loved this book!!!
June 25, 2019
I think my feelings toward East of Mecca can be summarized in two simple words, beautifully tragic. This is one of the most powerful books that I have ever read, and I found myself sobbing over my tablet at every turn. I can only be thankful that I read the Kindle edition. If I had bought a physical copy of this book, I would have undoubtedly ruined its pages by my tears. I can't even think of words to describe how I feel after finishing this book. I'm speechless. It's a stunning work of art, and I can't wait to reread it again.
My favorite thing about East of Mecca was the author's masterful skill when it comes to writing and depicting a world. The author was an expert at making me feel as if I was actually in Saudi Arabia going through the very same things Sarah and her children went through. I was surrounded by the safety of my room as I read from my tablet, but through her pages, I felt as though I was in the blistering sands surrounded by the heavenly scents of incense while loud booming voices shouted in Arabic.
My favorite thing about East of Mecca was the author's masterful skill when it comes to writing and depicting a world. The author was an expert at making me feel as if I was actually in Saudi Arabia going through the very same things Sarah and her children went through. I was surrounded by the safety of my room as I read from my tablet, but through her pages, I felt as though I was in the blistering sands surrounded by the heavenly scents of incense while loud booming voices shouted in Arabic.
December 18, 2021
4.5 ⭐️ Although I’m familiar with many Middle Eastern cultures, I’m still shocked every time I read about the treatment of women in certain countries, specifically Saudi Arabia. Narrated by an American woman living in Saudi Arabia in the late 1980’s, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Not only do readers get to experience the struggles of expats (especially women) living in Saudi, but a large focus of the book is on the treatment of Saudi women. Saudi women are remarkable people and although they are faced with an incredible amount of discrimination, their resilience is amazing. My favorite part of this story was Sarah and Yasmeen’s friendship and their courage to stand up for themselves in a country with a well known history of violating human rights.
July 1, 2021
This was an uncommonly raw and personal story that deeply affected me. Frankly, I found myself there in the exotic landscape, part of the story, watching with the author as it unraveled and the lives fell apart. And in being there, I didn't expect more, I didn't judge. I didn't expect a stronger or wiser or better woman. I just understood.
January 21, 2014
My rating would actually be maybe 3.5 stars if I were allowed. The book was interesting and it held me captive, wanting to know how the story ends. Without revealing the story's ending, I will say it lost me a little. I felt the ending was a little too dramatic to be believable. The author making one of the main characters seem so villainous toward the end also seemed a stretch.
The quality of writing was good, without a lot of flowery prose. Sometimes it tended to get bogged down in the minutiae of expat life (on Wednesday I went shopping, on Thursday I went to the women's club...).
The author's experience and description of expat life was authentic. She painted a vivid picture of a woman dealing with conflicting feelings about the trajectory of her life. The parts specifically about Saudi Arabia, though I don't know if they're true, felt real and unbelievably frightening. The exotic descriptions of places and foods and markets were particularly enjoyable to read.
Overall, I think this is a fascinating read about a mysterious world most people will never be able to see firsthand. A solid 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars. ;)
The quality of writing was good, without a lot of flowery prose. Sometimes it tended to get bogged down in the minutiae of expat life (on Wednesday I went shopping, on Thursday I went to the women's club...).
The author's experience and description of expat life was authentic. She painted a vivid picture of a woman dealing with conflicting feelings about the trajectory of her life. The parts specifically about Saudi Arabia, though I don't know if they're true, felt real and unbelievably frightening. The exotic descriptions of places and foods and markets were particularly enjoyable to read.
Overall, I think this is a fascinating read about a mysterious world most people will never be able to see firsthand. A solid 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars. ;)
November 16, 2013
In Chicago, Sarah and Max Hayes have a troubled marriage and debts that are choking them. Will a three year contract in Saudi Arabia save them? I was on the edge of my seat as I read about Sarah's plight. From the moment that Sarah and her children land in Saudi Arabia, it is obvious that there are going to be difficulties. Even in the foreign compound, women have few rights. They must surrender their passports to their husband's employers. Outside of the compound and even within it, they are constantly being watched by the religious police. As Sarah sinks deeper and deeper into a world of secrecy and religious fanaticism, we feel for her even as we see her making some misguided choices. Will she and her children survive this experience? That is what everyone reading this book will be waiting with bated breath to find out. In the process, we learn a lot about the oppression of women in Saudi Arabia, one of the most male dominated nations on earth, and the only one where women are legally barred from driving cars.
February 11, 2014
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A well-written, thought-provoking, novel, offering the personal experiences of a woman who travels halfway around the world to Saudi Arabia, with her husband, in hopes of finding a better life. Written in a first person perspective point of view, the main character tells her unique story of living in an Islamic country, where women are treated much, much differently than they are in the United States. At times, East of Mecca shares intimate details of the country, food, and culture. There are also moments of friendship, love, and betrayal. A fascinating read.
I want to wish Sheila Flaherty much luck with this intriguing and entertaining novel.
A well-written, thought-provoking, novel, offering the personal experiences of a woman who travels halfway around the world to Saudi Arabia, with her husband, in hopes of finding a better life. Written in a first person perspective point of view, the main character tells her unique story of living in an Islamic country, where women are treated much, much differently than they are in the United States. At times, East of Mecca shares intimate details of the country, food, and culture. There are also moments of friendship, love, and betrayal. A fascinating read.
I want to wish Sheila Flaherty much luck with this intriguing and entertaining novel.
June 9, 2014
Compelling story of an American woman's journey into Saudi Arabia. Much like Alice in Wonderland, Sarah willingly goes down the rabbit hole of expatriation when she follows her husband to Saudi Arabia for a lucrative position at a wealthy oil company. An educated, professional and independent woman, Sarah finds herself in a world turned upside down where she loses her most basic human rights and struggles to maintain her dignity and sense of self. Flaherty captures the exotic magic of the Middle East and with vivid imagery, transports the reader to this faraway land where you can almost feel the oppression of the desert heat and the extremist regime. Incredible story that is beautifully written!!
May 9, 2014
Not much is written about this part of the world and the women who live there, so this book definitely fills a void. A heart breaking story of two women who, on the surface are so different, but who share a desire for freedom: from a marriage, from a restrictive culture, from their self imposed limitations. I kept rooting for the women to escape but was not surprised at the turn of events near the end. I think it is important for those of us who are free to make choices to understand that not everyone has that chance.
January 29, 2014
East of Mecca was absolutely fantastic.
I haven't read a book in a long time which captured my imagination in such a way as East of Mecca.
I felt so many different motions, sympathy, anger, anxiety, happiness, elation, an d relief during the reading of this book, many of them at the same time.
I never wanted to put the book down it was so exciting and thrilling.
If there is one book this year that you have to read, East of Mecca is the one.
I haven't read a book in a long time which captured my imagination in such a way as East of Mecca.
I felt so many different motions, sympathy, anger, anxiety, happiness, elation, an d relief during the reading of this book, many of them at the same time.
I never wanted to put the book down it was so exciting and thrilling.
If there is one book this year that you have to read, East of Mecca is the one.
November 17, 2013
A very enjoyable read of a very tragic subject. Sheila does a terrific job of tell the story of how greed and desperation lead to hate, violence, and discrimination. She did a wonderful job of portraying the plight of victimized women in a Saudi Arabian company town without attacking religion but by uncovering the true cause of the disparity. Well written and thought provoking.
June 18, 2015
I enjoyed the beginning of the novel better than I did the ending. The most interesting parts to me were the descriptions of life for an American family living in Saudi Arabia. Her experiences make it clear that women and girls are treated as second-class citizens, while at the same time, she found herself fascinated by the people, art, and country.
October 21, 2016
Compelling story of an American family living in Saudi Arabia and their adjustment to the cultural nuances of the country. I read a lot of books and think most of them are good but over time they fade in my memory. This one will stay with me for a long time.
December 18, 2019
Interesting book about an American living in Saudi Arabia and the changes to lifestyle.
August 4, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book, especially as changes have been happening lately to Saudi Arabia's guardianship laws that allow more freedom for women to travel and obtain government documents. While the changes happening lately make the situation described in this book better, this book gives a lot of context for understanding the culture. You can also glimpse in this book a little image of the plight of activists like Loujain al-Hathloul.
The writing is easy to read while the story is not. Culture shock is portrayed candidly, along with the human need to connect. The action picks up swiftly towards the end of the book. I enjoyed reading about the relationships between the women in the book of all cultures.
A few threads are left hanging, like what happens to the other women who leave before the main character does, who promise to stay in touch. Do they? Did their advice and experience help? And the son, Sam - much is made of a trend towards violence, with his fascination with knives and random bouts of violence towards other boys. In the end, nothing really happens with it. Maybe just a passing fad as with many boys that age, or maybe a characterization of his father more than him, but with so much build up it seemed like something was going to happen with that.
The writing is easy to read while the story is not. Culture shock is portrayed candidly, along with the human need to connect. The action picks up swiftly towards the end of the book. I enjoyed reading about the relationships between the women in the book of all cultures.
A few threads are left hanging, like what happens to the other women who leave before the main character does, who promise to stay in touch. Do they? Did their advice and experience help? And the son, Sam - much is made of a trend towards violence, with his fascination with knives and random bouts of violence towards other boys. In the end, nothing really happens with it. Maybe just a passing fad as with many boys that age, or maybe a characterization of his father more than him, but with so much build up it seemed like something was going to happen with that.
August 20, 2017
This book sat on my nightstand for a while because I wasn't sure I wanted to read about an expat American family in Saudi Arabia -- the father working for an oil company, the mother not allowed to work (or drive, or go shopping on her own, or have Saudi friends....), the children anxious to return home to the their schools and friends. But author Sheila Flaherty skillfully hints that the narrator Sarah-- the mother in this family -- might be worth reading about, frustrated and stuck as she is. Flaherty draws you into Sarah's life, which is not as predictable as I presumed, where she insists (at great cost) on doing all of the above. She treasures Yasmeen, a woman she meets on the beach, shrouded in a hijab, mask and veil, and eventually their friendship transcends all the prohibitions, cautions and threats imposed by both Sarah's husband (and Yasmeen's) and the restrictive, dangerous social and political web that confines them. The last third of the book was especially gripping, I couldn't put it down.
December 7, 2017
East of Mecca was one book that left me with vivid images long after I had completed reading it. The book is written in the form of a memoir and made an instant connection with me. The story revolves around the main character Sarah and her experiences as an expat in Saudi Arabia. Sarah was living a life of economic hardship with her husband Max, when she gets an opportunity to follow her husband to Saudi Arabia that offered lots of money and luxuries. However, Sarah got the first taste of her new home when she took her little daughter to the toilet at the international airport. The heat of the place is oppressive, while the treatment of women in harsher. The harsh sun seems to have a transforming effect on her loving husband and also on people around her. All the experiences are shared in such clear and intimate manner that it felt that I was actually living through them. While the story is intense and grey, the climax is heart throbbing and would leave you reeling and with goosebumps long after you have completed leaving them.
July 16, 2018
Wow what a eye opening story! Which is a totally amazing book. This story is extremely well written thought out story.
This story is about an American family that moves to Saudi Arabia thinking they will be much better off financially. Because of the promise made to Max. He is told he will really good job. But when they move the culture, and the ostracism to which women are subjected to. In a since the women are prisoners. As for the beliefs of the religion and culture. It soon starts having effects on the family, especially Sarah. This is not just fiction. Many women are living like that or worse. The psychological effects that this kind of life is giving to the family is heartbreaking. The story left me feeling sad but it is important to know that and be thankful for the life we have.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
This story is about an American family that moves to Saudi Arabia thinking they will be much better off financially. Because of the promise made to Max. He is told he will really good job. But when they move the culture, and the ostracism to which women are subjected to. In a since the women are prisoners. As for the beliefs of the religion and culture. It soon starts having effects on the family, especially Sarah. This is not just fiction. Many women are living like that or worse. The psychological effects that this kind of life is giving to the family is heartbreaking. The story left me feeling sad but it is important to know that and be thankful for the life we have.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
November 10, 2019
I enjoyed this book, especially the dramatic action segments! The contrast between normal family interaction and courageous moments in a hostile foreign setting was unsettling. Just when I assumed that the main character, Sarah, would somehow manage to accept the inequities of her Saudi existence, things got very interesting. Watching the couple's dynamics in a male-centric environment was indeed sobering. I felt sorry for the family and I agree with another reviewer that this book is a real page turner. Of course, the local references to suburban Chicago were appreciated by this Chicago native and only served to highlight the extremes of Sarah's two worlds.
...And I was unprepared for the ending!
...And I was unprepared for the ending!
May 9, 2018
Excellent Read
The author does a masterful job of painting a vivid, realistic portrait of life in Saudi Arabia. Many times I found myself holding my breath afraid for or terrified of whatever calamity had befallen the main character. Even after finishing the book, it is going to stay with me for days and weeks to come. You come to care about the characters so much, and genuinely hurt as they hurt or fear as they fear. This is another book that will change how you look at things, and I highly recommend it. The only drawback- I could not put it down and stayed up late into the evening reading “just one more page.”
The author does a masterful job of painting a vivid, realistic portrait of life in Saudi Arabia. Many times I found myself holding my breath afraid for or terrified of whatever calamity had befallen the main character. Even after finishing the book, it is going to stay with me for days and weeks to come. You come to care about the characters so much, and genuinely hurt as they hurt or fear as they fear. This is another book that will change how you look at things, and I highly recommend it. The only drawback- I could not put it down and stayed up late into the evening reading “just one more page.”
July 24, 2018
This book left me somewhat underwhelmed. From the beginning, it was clear where it was going, especially since the narrator is alone during it. There was at least one editing error early on in the book that was a little jarring for me as it repeated a few sentences before reestablishing what it was suppose to be saying. I somehow missed that it was set in the late 1980s until the epilogue, which probably explained part of my disconnect with the book. I did finish it and it was compelling enough to have me reading past when I planned on putting it down. None of the story was much of a surprise though. Characters fulfilled expectations.
June 24, 2019
Heart-wrenching and Heartwarming! A must read!
I'm typically someone who prefers to read historical fiction and romance, and although this book can be found in those genre, it also completely stands alone as a phenomenal work of fiction. Sheila did an amazing job with the story, characters, description of places and events as well as remarkable dialogue between characters. Some parts of this story were difficult to read, as they really had the ability to reach into the chest and squeeze the heart, but that's exactly what makes a story so appealing and memorable. I read this book in one day, as I could not put it down! Amazing work of literary fiction! DawnMaria Ahonen
I'm typically someone who prefers to read historical fiction and romance, and although this book can be found in those genre, it also completely stands alone as a phenomenal work of fiction. Sheila did an amazing job with the story, characters, description of places and events as well as remarkable dialogue between characters. Some parts of this story were difficult to read, as they really had the ability to reach into the chest and squeeze the heart, but that's exactly what makes a story so appealing and memorable. I read this book in one day, as I could not put it down! Amazing work of literary fiction! DawnMaria Ahonen
December 4, 2019
I read this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. Even though it has a "happy" ending of sorts, I am shook up because of the subject matter and the incredibly outstandingly way it was written. I live in a region where honor killings happen and cause a media outrage for a day or two. I also was an ER receptionist who can verify the book's descriptions of what happened in the story's medical clinic.
The book will leave you sad, frustrated, angry and helpless because there's no solution or hope for change in the near future.
This book is a must read to understand the plight of these woman and the society in which they live.
The book will leave you sad, frustrated, angry and helpless because there's no solution or hope for change in the near future.
This book is a must read to understand the plight of these woman and the society in which they live.
April 5, 2020
Wel written....but a difficult read.....
One of my problems with this genre,is why would anyone volunteer to go to anywhere in the Mideast......
I know I’m spoiled middle class American....but the key phrase here is American....
Unless you were going to make us millionaires, you couldn’t entice me to move my children out of this country....The exception might be to a civilized European country..But never to a third world country.
One of the issues,I had, when her mom dies, and she goes home. She is sitting SHIVA....really?....That’s like a Jewish family voluntarily going to hitl.ers Germany...Never happen,!
Very sad story...on The Whole.. I CANT SAY I WOULD RECOMMEND.
One of my problems with this genre,is why would anyone volunteer to go to anywhere in the Mideast......
I know I’m spoiled middle class American....but the key phrase here is American....
Unless you were going to make us millionaires, you couldn’t entice me to move my children out of this country....The exception might be to a civilized European country..But never to a third world country.
One of the issues,I had, when her mom dies, and she goes home. She is sitting SHIVA....really?....That’s like a Jewish family voluntarily going to hitl.ers Germany...Never happen,!
Very sad story...on The Whole.. I CANT SAY I WOULD RECOMMEND.
September 6, 2018
Total drivel!
Her character comes off as either the most stupid woman on the planet , a stereotypical ugly American, a horrible mother, or a severely mentally ill wife . Or all the above. It is almost impossible to believe that anyone could have such a track record of making the wrong decision at every possible opportunity. Her portrayal of Saudi Arabia in the 80s is grossly inaccurate . And overall there is not much of a message to the book , except maybe that this woman is broadcasting how stupid she is constantly.
Her character comes off as either the most stupid woman on the planet , a stereotypical ugly American, a horrible mother, or a severely mentally ill wife . Or all the above. It is almost impossible to believe that anyone could have such a track record of making the wrong decision at every possible opportunity. Her portrayal of Saudi Arabia in the 80s is grossly inaccurate . And overall there is not much of a message to the book , except maybe that this woman is broadcasting how stupid she is constantly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews