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The Last Sandstorm: A Memoir
In her memoir, "The Last Sandstorm", Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson tells the story of her first 25 years in Saudi Arabia, before her daring escape to the West. The author was born in the 1970's and grew up in the shadow of Riyadh, a city that was burgeoning into economic modernity, a sharp contrast with its archaic treatment of women. This memoir is both a coming of age story and an immigrant's saga, two overlapping narratives that are told with generosity, humor, and a pervasive sense of longing and loss. The narrative documents what it means to grow up with unanswered questions, strive to conform and belong, and finally, dare to leave behind a family, a country, and a way of life–the known world. In turn, Faulk-Dickerson invites us to take measure of our own potential and to participate fully in our own lives.
While Jasmin experienced the privileges and privations of being female in a conservative Muslim regime, she survived and thrived by daring to imagine an entirely different kind of life. Jasmin shares the particulars of her daily life–school, Muslim customs, popular culture, family life, friends–that create a palpable sense of what it was like to be loved but also thwarted by circumstances. Out of sight of the censors, Jasmin became an aficionado of popular culture, drawing on music, dance, film, and TV icons from Europe and the United States. In the privacy of her bedroom/studio, she became an artist, performer, and feminist freedom fighter–a magnificent leap of faith that eventually translates into the courage to leave.
While Jasmin experienced the privileges and privations of being female in a conservative Muslim regime, she survived and thrived by daring to imagine an entirely different kind of life. Jasmin shares the particulars of her daily life–school, Muslim customs, popular culture, family life, friends–that create a palpable sense of what it was like to be loved but also thwarted by circumstances. Out of sight of the censors, Jasmin became an aficionado of popular culture, drawing on music, dance, film, and TV icons from Europe and the United States. In the privacy of her bedroom/studio, she became an artist, performer, and feminist freedom fighter–a magnificent leap of faith that eventually translates into the courage to leave.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2022
31 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 23, 2023
While this is a self-published book, it has received promotion in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s surprising not to see more reviews here for what is a superb memoir. The story definitely deserves a wider readership.
Jasmin grew up in the 70s and 80s in Saudi Arabia, the daughter of a Saudi man and his Italian wife. Hers was a life of privilege, with a large home, and private school attendance alongside the offspring of royalty, but she also suffered from many restrictions due to the conservative and misogynistic culture.
The author inwardly, and sometimes openly, rebels as she becomes a teen and young adult. Those frustrations combine with never quite feeling fully Saudi or European, and she ultimately plans her escape to the United States.
The book is mostly episodic in structure, while following the chronology of Jasmin’s life. There is a lot of humor, along with struggles and sorrow during her teens, and I’d love to read a YA or graphic novel focusing on those years.
Book clubs will find plenty to discuss on Saudi customs and way of life, and it’s affect on the author. Some of the sentence structure throughout is on the academic side, (maybe the book started out as a thesis paper?) but overall is still a very approachable and inspiring read. Highly recommended.
Jasmin grew up in the 70s and 80s in Saudi Arabia, the daughter of a Saudi man and his Italian wife. Hers was a life of privilege, with a large home, and private school attendance alongside the offspring of royalty, but she also suffered from many restrictions due to the conservative and misogynistic culture.
The author inwardly, and sometimes openly, rebels as she becomes a teen and young adult. Those frustrations combine with never quite feeling fully Saudi or European, and she ultimately plans her escape to the United States.
The book is mostly episodic in structure, while following the chronology of Jasmin’s life. There is a lot of humor, along with struggles and sorrow during her teens, and I’d love to read a YA or graphic novel focusing on those years.
Book clubs will find plenty to discuss on Saudi customs and way of life, and it’s affect on the author. Some of the sentence structure throughout is on the academic side, (maybe the book started out as a thesis paper?) but overall is still a very approachable and inspiring read. Highly recommended.
May 17, 2022
This memoir takes the reader on a journey to a time in Saudi Arabia that is long gone. The description of daily life during those years is very well written. It paints a picture in the reader‘s mind that will linger long after reading the book. The unique perspective of a third culture child who happens to be a female growing up in a patriarchal society, juggling two worlds that are so far apart is described in such a poetic yet realistic way, that involves inner struggle, self realization and eventually finding one’s true calling in life. I found that inspiring.
Although the author is telling her story, the human aspect of these emotions are universal, it’s something we can all relate to.
I highly recommend this book!
Although the author is telling her story, the human aspect of these emotions are universal, it’s something we can all relate to.
I highly recommend this book!
November 29, 2023
A phenomenal story of the life and adventures of an amazing woman!
Jasmin is a natural born storyteller and her life is one that is made to be a story. Her experiences growing up as a woman in Saudi Arabia juxtaposed to her vacations in Italy and her development into a young adult wanting more than traditional life would give her is one that takes your breath away. I mean it when I say I couldn’t put it down, eating up every page over the course of 9hrs. Combining the story of childhood tales, romantic endeavors, and harrowing escape…. This story is one that will stay with you long after you put it down. Breathtakingly unbelievable in an amazing way, this book is worth every second of the read!
Jasmin is a natural born storyteller and her life is one that is made to be a story. Her experiences growing up as a woman in Saudi Arabia juxtaposed to her vacations in Italy and her development into a young adult wanting more than traditional life would give her is one that takes your breath away. I mean it when I say I couldn’t put it down, eating up every page over the course of 9hrs. Combining the story of childhood tales, romantic endeavors, and harrowing escape…. This story is one that will stay with you long after you put it down. Breathtakingly unbelievable in an amazing way, this book is worth every second of the read!
April 19, 2022
The author was born to a Saudi father and Italian mother in Saudi Arabia in the 1970's. A bright, imaginative, ambitious dreamer, this memoir describes her struggles as she moves from some limited freedoms as a young girl to the suffocating restrictions that Saudi culture places on girls and women. Western pop culture connects her with the outside world, driving to seek her freedom as a woman and as a human being.
Excellent writing. Exciting and inspiring. She is able to describe the inside of Saudi, Italian and American cultures insightfully, yet non-judgmentally. I couldn't put it down.
Excellent writing. Exciting and inspiring. She is able to describe the inside of Saudi, Italian and American cultures insightfully, yet non-judgmentally. I couldn't put it down.
November 14, 2024
Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson offers us a view of life in Saudi Arabia that we wouldn't otherwise get insight into. The fact that her story is not one from a century ago, but actually twenty years ago should give the reader pause and also acknowledge that for many in Saudi Arabia, life continues to be this way today.
I enjoyed and appreciated how Jasmin took us through her life experiences while also explaining why things were the way they were, how they differed in other households and how her parents influenced her way of thinking. It's extremely important to hear Jasmin's story because it is a way for those of us without experience in Saudi Arabia to build empathy and a greater understanding of what life is like growing up there.
I enjoyed and appreciated how Jasmin took us through her life experiences while also explaining why things were the way they were, how they differed in other households and how her parents influenced her way of thinking. It's extremely important to hear Jasmin's story because it is a way for those of us without experience in Saudi Arabia to build empathy and a greater understanding of what life is like growing up there.
November 5, 2024
A Fierce And Daunting Life Story
I don’t have time to leave a full review, this is an honest and ultimately tome about the decisions we make in our lives. As a woman living in the Pacific Northwest, it makes me question my own ability to put myself first, and taking that plunge into the abyss. Decisions are full of consequence. It’s great to read about a woman’s courage to change her entire life.
I don’t have time to leave a full review, this is an honest and ultimately tome about the decisions we make in our lives. As a woman living in the Pacific Northwest, it makes me question my own ability to put myself first, and taking that plunge into the abyss. Decisions are full of consequence. It’s great to read about a woman’s courage to change her entire life.
December 24, 2024
not well written
A rather boring read. This was not well written and was not very interesting. I was more interested in the subtle aspects of male/female relationships in Saudi Arabia. I didn’t get much of that. Also how does social class play into things? Jasmine had only a little trouble getting her passport and money from her husband. No mention of the dynamics that helped that along. I give this book 7 z’s (Zzzzzzzz).
A rather boring read. This was not well written and was not very interesting. I was more interested in the subtle aspects of male/female relationships in Saudi Arabia. I didn’t get much of that. Also how does social class play into things? Jasmine had only a little trouble getting her passport and money from her husband. No mention of the dynamics that helped that along. I give this book 7 z’s (Zzzzzzzz).
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June 14, 2022THE LAST SANDSTORM offers a unique perspective on life in the Middle East, and is perfect for anyone interested in intersecting cultures, human rights, stories about strong women, or highly reflective and inspiring reads.
Read BookTrib's full review here.
Read BookTrib's full review here.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews