This truly was a fascinating read and I could not help but appreciate Geraldine Brooks' devotion in her interviews and putting this work together. Written in the 90s (aka pre-9/11 world and view of the Middle East) she tries to figure out the whys between traditions and laws regarding Islamic women. Brooks is a lovely writer and her works paints a vivid image of Iran and other countries, as well as various women she meets. That said... I can't help but consider this a feminist work. Most of Brooks' conclusions dwell on negativity and harshness. Indeed, it's hard for a person to fully understand another mindset and Brooks does her best to be understanding. And good qualities is mentioned.Brooks tries her best to be unbiased, so I guess I can't fault her for that. But maybe an effort to speak of more good would be appreciated.

Geraldine Brooks is as talented at non-fiction as she is at fiction. I could not put this book down. It is easy to read this explanation of the different levels of individual rights found among Muslim women in different middle eastern states. Brooks traces the circumspection of women's rights to the Koran and Hadiths from Mohammed's time. Interestingly Islam appeared to expand women's rights of the 7th century. In the era of Mohammed and for hundreds of years thereafter European women had no property or inheritance rights. In Islam a woman is entitled to inherit half of that bequethed to male heirs. Instead of interpreting these surahs as expanding women's rights, the Muslim communities have used them to infringe on women's rights. Thus this surah is interpreted to mean that a woman can only inherit half that due her brother. Rather it could be interpreted to mean that she must inherit at least half that which her brother inherits, and she could inherit more. It is merely a floor of inheritance. However, in fundamentalist Muslim cultures it is viewed as a limit on inheritance. Many of the infringements are culturally tied to their local society. In Saudi Arabia it is very difficult for a woman to engage in business or a profession and still remain covered and completely seperate from men. However, in the Koran the seperation was really limited to Mohammed's wives and not the community at large. Similarly in the Koran a medical doctor can touch and speak to a patient of a different sex. However, in Saudi Arabia many doctors do not. It is permitted even there in some cases.
Sporting events and activities for women are severly limited in some Muslim countries particularly Saudi Arabia. This is a shame since physical fitness and excellence are so important to good health.
Brooks clearly explains that Islam and democracy cannot truly exhist in one society. Islam is a theocracy with a dictatorship. However, India is an example of a democracy that has a very large Muslim population. Hence, India does not fit the mold.
She describes female genetic mutilation which is at best a crude, dangerous and painful proceedure. It is really inhumane but contiues to be practiced. Most telling is the fact that when a woman is raped she is punished or killed because she had sex outside of marriage. This ia a really warped view of morality. However, it has found a home in Islam. Brooks describes womens' lives among the poor, the wealthy, the educated and the uneducated. Clearly the poor uneducated women come from more fundamentalist households.
I heartily recommend this non-fiction work by this talented writer. Everything that I have read of hers is excellent, and this does not disappoint.

While this book is not meant to be an anthropological analysis of Muslim women, it does give insight into the Muslim world at large. It is broad in scope and should cite information more, but it can be an excellent choice to begin the journey to understanding. It should not be considered the final destination. I suggest this book to all.

This is just one of the facts that I learned from this book. It became not just a fact but an insight as I continued reading it.

The book's excellence is demonstrated in that 13 years after its publication it is still being read. Its continued relevance is evidenced by so many current reviews here on Amazon. Since its publication there have been many books on this topic, including social studies and personal narratives, but this one still stands out.

Brooks spent 6 years in traveling to Middle Eastern Islamic countries covering the plight of women. While there is a chapter on Queen Nour, the book is primarily on the many anonymous middle class women who must submit to decisions about their lives, their health, their time, their children, where they can travel and even their dealth, all made by men. These men are not required, and most are not conditioned to, value her or consider her opinions or needs. They seem to be driven by their "honor" which is reflected by how well she masters the art of submission.

Brooks gives the clearest presentation I've read on the origins of the anti-woman practices that are permitted. She describes Mohammed's relations with his wives and the aftermath of his death which set the stage for others to interpret and misinterpret his words and actions.

The last chapter, where the author summarizes the issue and the lack of attention it receives world wide is pithy and strong.

Geraldine Brooks takes us inside her personal trip trough the Islamic world and gives as close to an UNBIASED view of the treatment of Islamic women that i could imagine. she is careful to point out the reasons that are given for wierd practices. She doesn't shy away from her disgust for certain treatments.

For example the propagation of so-called "honor killings" that still take place all over the world, as well as many other ways women are opressed in the mainstream Islamic world.

O by the way the writting style is smooth and easy to read. You can really enjoy this book even though the topic is sad the way it is told is great!