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Défigurée: Quand Un Crime Passionnel Devient Affaire D'état
Rania Al-Baz était une jeune, jolie et célèbre présentatrice de la télévision saoudienne. Son histoire aurait pu être un conte de fées sans la jalousie maladive de son mari, qui, violent, l'a un jour frappée au point de la faire tomber dans le coma. L'histoire de Rania, défigurée, a fait la une des journaux et le tour du monde. Ce livre n'est pas l'histoire d'une vengeance, mais le récit mesuré d'une vie de femme saoudienne. Elle ne dénonce ni les travers de l'islam, ni les traditions de son pays, mais la condition de nombreuses femmes dans nos sociétés. Ce témoignage courageux montre que l'espoir est possible.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 9, 2010
This is a pretty compelling story: a young Saudi wife and mother becomes one of the first female TV journalists in the country, and after her husband beats her nearly to death she becomes an activist for women's rights. Domestic violence had been endemic in Saudi Arabia but was pretty much ignored before the attack on Rania Al-baz; her status as a celebrity brought it to the forefront and made headlines around the planet. Rania justly points out that her husband's abuse had nothing to do with religion and that violent, pathologically jealous men come from all religions, countries and cultures everywhere in the world. She demonstrates that you can be a Muslim and a feminist at the same time.
That said, I don't think the book is very well-written. Scenes that should be dramatic -- like when Rania describes the beating that made Saudi history -- are hurried through and come off as flat. Also, some of what I've read in the memoir contradicts the press reports. Like, in the memoir Rania says she decided right away to ask for leniency for her husband because it would be better for their children, but in articles I've read about this it says she asked for leniency because she was told she would lose custody of the kids if she did not. She apparently changed his name for this memoir, as all the news articles I read refer to him by an entirely different name.
Worth reading, I guess, if you're interested in women's issues in the Middle East. I did learn a lot about Saudi Arabia.
That said, I don't think the book is very well-written. Scenes that should be dramatic -- like when Rania describes the beating that made Saudi history -- are hurried through and come off as flat. Also, some of what I've read in the memoir contradicts the press reports. Like, in the memoir Rania says she decided right away to ask for leniency for her husband because it would be better for their children, but in articles I've read about this it says she asked for leniency because she was told she would lose custody of the kids if she did not. She apparently changed his name for this memoir, as all the news articles I read refer to him by an entirely different name.
Worth reading, I guess, if you're interested in women's issues in the Middle East. I did learn a lot about Saudi Arabia.
August 25, 2012
Though Rania's bruised, and battered face has been splashed all over the world from various media sources I had never seen it, nor had I heard her story. I make it a point not to investigate things further until I'm half way through a book, or finished with it. As soon as I read about the attack on her by her husband I did a google image search, and was instantly in tears at what I saw.
This is the story of how an extraordinarily beautiful Saudi woman came to be a famous news broadcaster. In it she tells of her childhood, and her struggle as a Saudi woman. She's not the silent opressed woman you might expect her to be, in fact she's a character of strength to be admired by all women.
Rachid was her second husband, and he was terribly jealous of her popularity, and success. Instead of seeing Rainia as a caring devoted wife he viewed her as more of a prized possession. If in fact if he could no longer have her as his own then he would destroy her.
Rania shares with readers how she was able to overcome such a terrible attack, and how she's using this experience to promote change. Another reason she needs to keep her story in the spotlight is for her own safety. If she were to sink in the shadows then she could in fact be made to disappear. This is not uncommon for women in her position. Keeping their name in the public is a force of security for many Middle Eastern women in similar situations.
This is the story of how an extraordinarily beautiful Saudi woman came to be a famous news broadcaster. In it she tells of her childhood, and her struggle as a Saudi woman. She's not the silent opressed woman you might expect her to be, in fact she's a character of strength to be admired by all women.
Rachid was her second husband, and he was terribly jealous of her popularity, and success. Instead of seeing Rainia as a caring devoted wife he viewed her as more of a prized possession. If in fact if he could no longer have her as his own then he would destroy her.
Rania shares with readers how she was able to overcome such a terrible attack, and how she's using this experience to promote change. Another reason she needs to keep her story in the spotlight is for her own safety. If she were to sink in the shadows then she could in fact be made to disappear. This is not uncommon for women in her position. Keeping their name in the public is a force of security for many Middle Eastern women in similar situations.
July 29, 2016
An outstanding autobiography written by the first young female Saudi Arabian television journalist about her recovery from a severe battering by her husband that left her with a permanently changed face. I admire this woman's courage, and especially her determination to use her experience to speak out against wife abuse, not just in Saudi Arabia, but all over the world. In this, she is identifying herself not only as a Saudi Arabian woman, but also as a member of world womankind. She is an excellent writer, and her story is one that I just couldn't put down. The details of how she grew up and of the customs of her country were fascinating. I learned a lot about Saudi society (women aren't allowed to drive!), and hope things have changed for the better for women since this book was written. By the way, the book contains no illustrations except for a picture on the cover of her as she looked before being beaten. A Google search quickly brought up pictures of her battered face and her appearance after her reconstructive surgery. I highly recommend this book to women everywhere, and to male batterers as well, who should feel what it's like to be helpless and abused as this woman was.
February 15, 2016
This is a young women 19s story of being married off at a very young age as many young girls are in the Muslim faith. After having a child with her first husband, he divorces her because she acts like a child 26 because that is what she is, a child. She returns to her parents home with her daughter and enrolls in medical school. She also has a friend who gets her into radio and television. She has a great career there because she is young and very beautiful. We know she is young and beautiful because she tells us this numerous times through out the book. Unfortunately, she marries again. Her marriage never started off right and continued to get worse. Rachid, her husband, was a violent man and although they had two sons together he almost killed her out of rage. Her story goes from childhood, marriage, a mother and to a public life as a TV journalist. She is probably one of the few women in Saudi Arabia who has had the ability to choose her own destiny. Not that I don 19t think things are changing for women in the Middle East, but like here in the United States, It will take time. As we know, each country and society is different. This book is a good read if you are interested in learning how other women around the world live. This is a look at one women's life in Saudi Arabia.
August 18, 2017
I found this book to be really poorly written. Or perhaps poorly translated, to be fair, as I read this book in Dutch. I wonder if Ms Rania used a ghost writer since it was first published in French. What annoyed me the most about the story was her obsession with her looks after being beaten up. "From now on I am a monster, I am ugly." (I googled the pictures - not nearly as bad as her description impies). It would be nice if she could put things in perspective. To me, she comes across as superficial, and in general very self-centered and smug. The constant selfpride was even amusing to me - you don't find that often in women.
I can't help thinking Ms Rania is suffering from a superiority complex. She writes that she feels she is responsible for how the world will view her country after it takes note of her story, and is anxious to correct the image of Saudi-Arabia. She expresses guilt towards her country for the "outrage" caused by publication of her story & pictures. That is really overestimating the impact of an incident which could have happened anywhere and which was picked up mostly by christian and islamocritical/-phobic and sensationalist media. What happened to Ms Rania is unfortunately not unique worldwide and of course, all domestic violence should cause outrage. But it is not specific to Saudi-Arabia, and I can't imagine this story harming the image of Saudia more - it is already known to be one of the worst countries for women.
Re superiority complex: in one of the final pages of her book she even claims to be an "embassador for the muslim woman". Wow, that's quite a claim!
I can't help thinking Ms Rania is suffering from a superiority complex. She writes that she feels she is responsible for how the world will view her country after it takes note of her story, and is anxious to correct the image of Saudi-Arabia. She expresses guilt towards her country for the "outrage" caused by publication of her story & pictures. That is really overestimating the impact of an incident which could have happened anywhere and which was picked up mostly by christian and islamocritical/-phobic and sensationalist media. What happened to Ms Rania is unfortunately not unique worldwide and of course, all domestic violence should cause outrage. But it is not specific to Saudi-Arabia, and I can't imagine this story harming the image of Saudia more - it is already known to be one of the worst countries for women.
Re superiority complex: in one of the final pages of her book she even claims to be an "embassador for the muslim woman". Wow, that's quite a claim!
February 10, 2011
This book was very well written and translated (from French to English). It became difficult for me to read around pg 50 because I was having a hard time identifying with the author's statements. She kept talking about how she forgave her husband right after he beat her into a coma. Maybe if she had waited until the end, after explaining the story, this would have been easier to grasp.
Overall the book was hard to put down and very good. It gives an interesting account of Saudi Arabia from a woman who still believes that her culture and religion are the right way to live and are not the cause of the violence in her life. She is aware that her life is not representative of all women and reiterates that often. I liked reading her side of the story as I came to understand her reactions in a different way than one may expect coming from a western country. She is very strong and has a lot to teach.
If you start getting turned off part way in don't give up! Keep reading because it's worth it. Keep and open mind and you'll start to understand her as you go on. You may not agree but you will learn a lot about her culture and that is what matters (to me at least).
Overall the book was hard to put down and very good. It gives an interesting account of Saudi Arabia from a woman who still believes that her culture and religion are the right way to live and are not the cause of the violence in her life. She is aware that her life is not representative of all women and reiterates that often. I liked reading her side of the story as I came to understand her reactions in a different way than one may expect coming from a western country. She is very strong and has a lot to teach.
If you start getting turned off part way in don't give up! Keep reading because it's worth it. Keep and open mind and you'll start to understand her as you go on. You may not agree but you will learn a lot about her culture and that is what matters (to me at least).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2011
Violence against women is a serious problem throughout the world, so I do not take the attack by her husband lightly. However, I found her to be a self-centered person who refused to take responsibility for her own decisions. Unlike many women in her country, she was allowed to make decisions that profoundly impacted her life. Yet, when the decisions proved to be poor decisions, it was someone else's fault (usually her dad's). Considering few Saudia Arbian middle class women were given the opportunities to live the life she had, she did little to take advantage of them. Her decisions were not well thought out and were made only for the shock value to her family. To be such a sad topic, I wasn't that moved by her story.
April 20, 2012
I was really drawn into this story and so happy that this Saudi woman lived through a brutal attack. I now wonder what happened to her. Is she still living in France? Did she return to Saudi Arabia? Did she get custody of her children? What happened to her husband. I think an update on this story would be greatly welcomed by many readers.
October 7, 2012
The crime revealed in this book is heinous and it is necessary that the voices who speak against it come from within the country and culture. However, I found Ms. Al-Baz a very difficult person to connect with. Her narcissism and immaturity detract from the crime she is trying to uncover. Her constant criticism of the reader confused me--did she want my support or did she just want attention?
Read
December 31, 2014The review by a guy named Hadji is twisted up in his religious views. The book is beautifully translated by a very well known French-English translator. Hadji lacks any critical skills. It is an embarrassing review.
January 12, 2015
I want my waisted time back
December 31, 2017
Bem acho que nunca me atrasei a escrever uma opinião aqui no Goodreads, principalmente sobre um livro que me tenha fascinado tanto como este.
Só agora consegui utilizar a internet e atualizar as coisas aqui.... Mas agora vamos ao que realmente interessa.
Quando comecei a leitura do "Desfigurada" acreditava profundamente que este seria um dos livros mais difíceis a ler durante este ano, pela sua temática e principalmente por ser uma história real.
Mas a verdade é outra.... Li este livro muito rápido (e não li só num dia porque estava cheia de sono ontem e só queria dormir!!!!), e a verdade é que não fiquei nada impressionada com o que li.
Talvez o já ter conhecimento da forma de vida dos muçulmanos ou até mesmo por toda a informação que temos ao nosso dispor sobre o Islão e a Arábia Saudita, tenha tornado este livro um pouco banal em comparação com outros que já li, obviamente não deixando passar a terrível história de vida da autora e protagonista do livro Rania Al-Baz.
"Desfigurada" é uma biografia escrita em forma de ficção na sua maioria, conta a história de vida de Rania Al-Baz uma mulher muçulmana que foi violentamente espancada pelo segundo marido e levada pelo mesmo quase a morrer até à porta do hospital, tendo este fugido de seguida e ficado desaparecido durante um certo período de tempo.
Rachid foi o segundo esposo de Rania, depois desta se ter divorciado do seu primeiro marido com quem casou aos 16 anos, Rania pensou que mais nenhum homem iria querer nada com ela principalmente por ela já ter uma filha, mas com a sua notoriedade por ser apresentadora de televisão muitos foram os pretendentes e Rania após muita insistência por parte de Rachid acaba por confirmar ao seu pai que se quer casar com ele.
A verdade é que nesse dia o seu destino havia de ser traçado. No dia 4 de Abril de 2004, Rachid num ataque de loucura espancou uma vez mais Rania e esta ficou com a sua cara totalmente desfigurada, à beira da morte e com um futuro incerto. Apesar de tudo o que o seu marido lhe tinha feito Rania pede aos juízes que atenuem a pena e por essa razão decide dar-lhe o seu perdão.
A primeira parte do livro apresenta-nos este episódio, mas após dois capítulos bastante fortes Rania começa a contar toda a sua história desde criança. A forma como o livro está escrito acaba por nos fazer pensar em certo momento que estamos a ler uma ficção e não uma biografia mas no fim do livro voltamos ao realismo do texto e à realidade de Rania, deixamos as suas memórias.
Um livro fascinante sem sombra de dúvidas e com uma mensagem muito importante, ou melhor com várias mensagens importantes, uma delas está presente no excerto que vos vou apresentar de seguida:
« - Não foi em nome de nenhum princípio religioso que eu fui espancada, mas pelos ciúmes de um homem vexado, apenas isso. Todos aqueles que se refugiam por detrás do Islão para justificar actos desse tipo mentem, e todos os que pensam verdadeiramente, porque os há, que o Corão encoraja essas práticas, estão redondamente enganados. O profeta ensinou o amor e não o ódio que hoje em dia é propagado por alguns dos seus zeladores.»
Esta é sem dúvida uma mensagem importantíssima e que se pode passar para os dias de hoje e creio que não é necessário explicar o porquê nem a mensagem em si.
"Desfigurada" é um livro que aconselho todos a lerem nem que seja unicamente para ficarem a conhecer um pouco mais da cultura saudita/muçulmana que está muito presente neste livro.
A minha pontuação é 4 estrelas, pelo simples motivo de ter pensado que iria ficar muito mais impressionada com a história do que realmente aconteceu durante a leitura.
Só agora consegui utilizar a internet e atualizar as coisas aqui.... Mas agora vamos ao que realmente interessa.
Quando comecei a leitura do "Desfigurada" acreditava profundamente que este seria um dos livros mais difíceis a ler durante este ano, pela sua temática e principalmente por ser uma história real.
Mas a verdade é outra.... Li este livro muito rápido (e não li só num dia porque estava cheia de sono ontem e só queria dormir!!!!), e a verdade é que não fiquei nada impressionada com o que li.
Talvez o já ter conhecimento da forma de vida dos muçulmanos ou até mesmo por toda a informação que temos ao nosso dispor sobre o Islão e a Arábia Saudita, tenha tornado este livro um pouco banal em comparação com outros que já li, obviamente não deixando passar a terrível história de vida da autora e protagonista do livro Rania Al-Baz.
"Desfigurada" é uma biografia escrita em forma de ficção na sua maioria, conta a história de vida de Rania Al-Baz uma mulher muçulmana que foi violentamente espancada pelo segundo marido e levada pelo mesmo quase a morrer até à porta do hospital, tendo este fugido de seguida e ficado desaparecido durante um certo período de tempo.
Rachid foi o segundo esposo de Rania, depois desta se ter divorciado do seu primeiro marido com quem casou aos 16 anos, Rania pensou que mais nenhum homem iria querer nada com ela principalmente por ela já ter uma filha, mas com a sua notoriedade por ser apresentadora de televisão muitos foram os pretendentes e Rania após muita insistência por parte de Rachid acaba por confirmar ao seu pai que se quer casar com ele.
A verdade é que nesse dia o seu destino havia de ser traçado. No dia 4 de Abril de 2004, Rachid num ataque de loucura espancou uma vez mais Rania e esta ficou com a sua cara totalmente desfigurada, à beira da morte e com um futuro incerto. Apesar de tudo o que o seu marido lhe tinha feito Rania pede aos juízes que atenuem a pena e por essa razão decide dar-lhe o seu perdão.
A primeira parte do livro apresenta-nos este episódio, mas após dois capítulos bastante fortes Rania começa a contar toda a sua história desde criança. A forma como o livro está escrito acaba por nos fazer pensar em certo momento que estamos a ler uma ficção e não uma biografia mas no fim do livro voltamos ao realismo do texto e à realidade de Rania, deixamos as suas memórias.
Um livro fascinante sem sombra de dúvidas e com uma mensagem muito importante, ou melhor com várias mensagens importantes, uma delas está presente no excerto que vos vou apresentar de seguida:
« - Não foi em nome de nenhum princípio religioso que eu fui espancada, mas pelos ciúmes de um homem vexado, apenas isso. Todos aqueles que se refugiam por detrás do Islão para justificar actos desse tipo mentem, e todos os que pensam verdadeiramente, porque os há, que o Corão encoraja essas práticas, estão redondamente enganados. O profeta ensinou o amor e não o ódio que hoje em dia é propagado por alguns dos seus zeladores.»
Esta é sem dúvida uma mensagem importantíssima e que se pode passar para os dias de hoje e creio que não é necessário explicar o porquê nem a mensagem em si.
"Desfigurada" é um livro que aconselho todos a lerem nem que seja unicamente para ficarem a conhecer um pouco mais da cultura saudita/muçulmana que está muito presente neste livro.
A minha pontuação é 4 estrelas, pelo simples motivo de ter pensado que iria ficar muito mais impressionada com a história do que realmente aconteceu durante a leitura.
March 23, 2023
O livro foi uma surpresa, estava à espera que fosse um mero relato da violência que Rania sofria por parte do marido, mas não. Apesar de relatar o triste incidente por parte do seu segundo marido, acabou por também ser um retrato do papel da mulher na Arábia Saudita, neste caso na pele de Rania.
Desde as funções da mulher, as restrições das mulheres, a escolha do futuro marido e todas as barreiras que são impostas à mulher.
O livro não é uma crítica à cultura destes países, mas sim uma partilha. No sentido de compreender e não criticar.
Apesar das dificuldades pelas quais Rania passou, penso que não seja um relato real do que se passa na Arábia Saudita. Rania teve muita sorte em relação a todas as outras mulheres.
Desde as funções da mulher, as restrições das mulheres, a escolha do futuro marido e todas as barreiras que são impostas à mulher.
O livro não é uma crítica à cultura destes países, mas sim uma partilha. No sentido de compreender e não criticar.
Apesar das dificuldades pelas quais Rania passou, penso que não seja um relato real do que se passa na Arábia Saudita. Rania teve muita sorte em relação a todas as outras mulheres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2010
Once again a memoir that has (somewhat) falsely billed itself. I wouldn't call this a book about her triumph over violence as much as a memoir about her life and her (quite frankly bad) choices. I also think calling herself "disfigured" is slightly misleading. Granted she was beaten badly but when I think of someone being disfigured I think of a permanent state, not one that leaves her looking gorgeous. Okay, maybe that's petty but this book irked me. True she was a victim of a horrific act of violence but it isn't like she didn't see it coming. The man had been beating and controlling her for years. The fact that she was a television personality in Saudia Arabia is the only thing special about this story. She happened to be famous, so her fate was more shocking and more televised. Would not recommend this book unless you are interested in reading about the repressed lives of women in a Muslim Middle Eastern country.
June 9, 2015
This book overall was for an interesting insight into Saudi Arabia and the customs within that country and culture. I appreciate the liberties and freedom I have being a New Zealander that is not bound by religious beliefs and prejudice against women. While I can acknowledge the trauma, horror and fear she experienced at the hands of her husband, I can't relate to the decisions and repercussions of choices she made. I know this has alot to with the culture so naturally I can't relate. However I do feel like this book expanded my views so through the struggle and heart aching experiences of another.
March 17, 2017
This was a book I had to read for my gender studies class. This was very informative on how women, in general, are oppressed in Saudi society (even after getting their own jobs and making money). Rania also talks about the stigma of being divorced in Saudi Arabia (and how treatment differs between divorced men and divorced women.
I have to write a report and do a presentation on this.
I have not much else to say...
Decent, quick read. The part about her childhood was a little boring but soon after that it got really interesting!
I have to write a report and do a presentation on this.
I have not much else to say...
Decent, quick read. The part about her childhood was a little boring but soon after that it got really interesting!
April 25, 2011
It was interesting to hear her thoughts about life and about how she dealt with this horrifying situation. The most amazing to me is she accepts this as a test, is very matter of fact and faces it with courage without blame or hate. It's an easy read.
February 8, 2014
A devastatingly sad book. It needs an editor, but it's so searing and sad that you ignore the writing mistakes. I hope her husband dies painfully for what he did to her, but she was kind enough to spare him punishment.
August 5, 2009
Excellent book about Muslim culture in Sauda Arabia with both women's way of live and lack of rights.
May 12, 2011
a good book but too short--I still have some questions.
August 15, 2011
Interesting, but have read other books on the same topic which are better written.
April 21, 2012
I enjoyed reading this true, compelling story of domestic violence and Saudi culture.
September 7, 2012
very good book
November 8, 2013
An interesting book. What a brave woman. Would recommend this book very highly.
March 22, 2017
Powerful Domestic Violence awareness book. Amazing.
July 16, 2017
I found her story about domestic abuse very moving. The courage and tenacity throughout her horrific ordeal are to be admired. What a victory for abused women everywhere!
August 14, 2018
*3,5 stelline
Testimonianza molto "carina" e "leggera" di una donna saudita, che nella sua vita ha sofferto l'umiliazione, la sottomissione e la mancanza d'amore.
È il secondo libro, che leggo nel giro di un mese, dove una donna viene costretta a sposare un uomo sconosciuto, deciso dal padre, "come vuole la religione musulmana" a quanto pare.
Le bambine sono abituate fin dalle fasce all'idea che avere un ragazzo sia sbagliato, tanto che Laila (la ragazza del mio precedente libro) aveva soltanto paura di parlare con un ragazzo e Rania non riesce a baciare suo marito in pubblico, tremando ogni volta che vede una coppia scambiarsi questo semplice gesto d'affetto. Sono donne che non hanno conosciuto e mai potranno conoscere l'amore. È per questo che poche donne trovano il coraggio di farsi valere e ribellarsi, per loro quella è la normalità.
La bambina è un animaletto da macello o, come si legge più volte in questo tipo di testimonianze, bestie da matrimonio. Appena compiono tredici anni fioccano richieste, elogi e inviti, anche da parte di uomini molto più anziani. È il padre, però, che sceglie il marito, a seconda della dote promessa e del suo tornaconto. Infatti, Rania si troverà a sposare un uomo e soltanto dopo scoprire che lui ha due figli.
Sono pochi i genitori che vogliono bene davvero alle proprie figlie, mentre i figli sono trattati con il massimo rispetto.
È una situazione inaccettabile, una mentalità ottusa, ferma, vuota e superficiale, che spero vivamente cambi.
Ho trovato il libro leggero, per niente difficile da seguire, però non mi è piaciuta una cosa: dal titolo e da come è presentato il libro, questo sembra trattare del gesto bestiale di Rachid nei confronti di Rania, ma non è così in realtà. Solo le prime sessanta e le ultime otto pagine trattano del gesto, per il resto (160 pagine), l'autrice riprende la sua vita dalla sua infanzia, cosa che ha senso raccontare, ma che stacca dal gesto più forte, anche se forse, in effetti, non c'è molto altro da dire.
Testimonianza molto "carina" e "leggera" di una donna saudita, che nella sua vita ha sofferto l'umiliazione, la sottomissione e la mancanza d'amore.
È il secondo libro, che leggo nel giro di un mese, dove una donna viene costretta a sposare un uomo sconosciuto, deciso dal padre, "come vuole la religione musulmana" a quanto pare.
Le bambine sono abituate fin dalle fasce all'idea che avere un ragazzo sia sbagliato, tanto che Laila (la ragazza del mio precedente libro) aveva soltanto paura di parlare con un ragazzo e Rania non riesce a baciare suo marito in pubblico, tremando ogni volta che vede una coppia scambiarsi questo semplice gesto d'affetto. Sono donne che non hanno conosciuto e mai potranno conoscere l'amore. È per questo che poche donne trovano il coraggio di farsi valere e ribellarsi, per loro quella è la normalità.
La bambina è un animaletto da macello o, come si legge più volte in questo tipo di testimonianze, bestie da matrimonio. Appena compiono tredici anni fioccano richieste, elogi e inviti, anche da parte di uomini molto più anziani. È il padre, però, che sceglie il marito, a seconda della dote promessa e del suo tornaconto. Infatti, Rania si troverà a sposare un uomo e soltanto dopo scoprire che lui ha due figli.
Sono pochi i genitori che vogliono bene davvero alle proprie figlie, mentre i figli sono trattati con il massimo rispetto.
È una situazione inaccettabile, una mentalità ottusa, ferma, vuota e superficiale, che spero vivamente cambi.
Ho trovato il libro leggero, per niente difficile da seguire, però non mi è piaciuta una cosa: dal titolo e da come è presentato il libro, questo sembra trattare del gesto bestiale di Rachid nei confronti di Rania, ma non è così in realtà. Solo le prime sessanta e le ultime otto pagine trattano del gesto, per il resto (160 pagine), l'autrice riprende la sua vita dalla sua infanzia, cosa che ha senso raccontare, ma che stacca dal gesto più forte, anche se forse, in effetti, non c'è molto altro da dire.
December 16, 2024
Wow... I need to take my imaginary glasses off to review this book.
Anyways, let's start from the beginning:
Rania Al-Baz's photograph, after being brutally beaten by her ex-husband, went around the world like a bird migrating across seas. Everybody has seen it, even my father and my mother, who were absolutely shocked when the picture was shown in a news report on television.
Now for the review:
I was extremely excited to read this biographical novel when I found it in a public library, and when I read the back of it, interest sparked my little brain, and I requested its borrowing.
To put it in a more Western understanding, this is somewhat a "Little Women" book, but without the western descriptions of society, although similar by the time being, the differences are very seen, given the country it takes place. The main character, Rania Al-Baz, is the perfect example of how you can fight gender norms without stripping away from your femininity and your religion.
Her use of the Quran is very beautiful and placed when she wants to credit it with her own morals and beliefs. She uses it as a tool to justify the rights that she deserves, but also shows angst when given an option she can't defy from due to her religion.
The pain that she had felt internally and externally from the abuse she endured, the disappointments she's seen, and the unfairness of it all.
At some point, we get to see how her mind worked during her teenage years and during her university years how she was pretty much a "rebel" to society's rules.
In conclusion, I'm glad that everything went well for her in the end, but she also acknowledges how this fight for gender equality hasn't stopped and how we need to do more for more progression to happen, she also points out how she got everything she had because of her privilege and notoriety and how there are so many girls out there that are unable to use their voice for justice.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and a very mind-awakening experience to indulge it.
I'll give it 5 stars.
Anyways, let's start from the beginning:
Rania Al-Baz's photograph, after being brutally beaten by her ex-husband, went around the world like a bird migrating across seas. Everybody has seen it, even my father and my mother, who were absolutely shocked when the picture was shown in a news report on television.
Now for the review:
I was extremely excited to read this biographical novel when I found it in a public library, and when I read the back of it, interest sparked my little brain, and I requested its borrowing.
To put it in a more Western understanding, this is somewhat a "Little Women" book, but without the western descriptions of society, although similar by the time being, the differences are very seen, given the country it takes place. The main character, Rania Al-Baz, is the perfect example of how you can fight gender norms without stripping away from your femininity and your religion.
Her use of the Quran is very beautiful and placed when she wants to credit it with her own morals and beliefs. She uses it as a tool to justify the rights that she deserves, but also shows angst when given an option she can't defy from due to her religion.
The pain that she had felt internally and externally from the abuse she endured, the disappointments she's seen, and the unfairness of it all.
At some point, we get to see how her mind worked during her teenage years and during her university years how she was pretty much a "rebel" to society's rules.
In conclusion, I'm glad that everything went well for her in the end, but she also acknowledges how this fight for gender equality hasn't stopped and how we need to do more for more progression to happen, she also points out how she got everything she had because of her privilege and notoriety and how there are so many girls out there that are unable to use their voice for justice.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and a very mind-awakening experience to indulge it.
I'll give it 5 stars.
July 22, 2025
Rania Albaz est une jeune journaliste, un métier encore rare et inattendu pour les femmes en Arabie Saoudite à cette époque. Son mari, Rachid, jaloux et violent, la frappe au point de la défigurer complètement. Pourtant, elle fait preuve d’un courage impressionnant pour traverser ces épreuves et transformer son combat personnel en une lutte pour les droits des femmes.
Au-delà de son histoire personnelle, ce livre pose la question de la place des femmes dans la société saoudienne. Il a fallu que Rania soit défigurée pour que le monde entier se rende compte à quel point des réformes sont nécessaires, face à une culture patriarcale bien ancrée. Elle ne critique ni sa religion ni ses traditions, mais bien les conditions de vie des femmes dans le monde arabe.
La partie sur son enfance, son adolescence et sa jeunesse est très intéressante, car elle permet de découvrir une culture que je connaissais peu. On sent aussi combien il est difficile d’être une femme là-bas, surtout quand les traditions sont interprétées et modifiées par les hommes.
Cette autobiographie est à la fois touchante et enrichissante. Elle montre clairement à quel point c’est dur d’être une femme dans un monde d’hommes, mais aussi la force de la résilience et de l’espoir.
Au-delà de son histoire personnelle, ce livre pose la question de la place des femmes dans la société saoudienne. Il a fallu que Rania soit défigurée pour que le monde entier se rende compte à quel point des réformes sont nécessaires, face à une culture patriarcale bien ancrée. Elle ne critique ni sa religion ni ses traditions, mais bien les conditions de vie des femmes dans le monde arabe.
La partie sur son enfance, son adolescence et sa jeunesse est très intéressante, car elle permet de découvrir une culture que je connaissais peu. On sent aussi combien il est difficile d’être une femme là-bas, surtout quand les traditions sont interprétées et modifiées par les hommes.
Cette autobiographie est à la fois touchante et enrichissante. Elle montre clairement à quel point c’est dur d’être une femme dans un monde d’hommes, mais aussi la force de la résilience et de l’espoir.
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