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In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom Audiobook
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(3.00) - 2,154 listener ratings
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In this stunningly written book, a Western trained Muslim doctor brings alive what it means for a woman to live in the Saudi Kingdom. I''ve rarely experienced so vividly the shunning and shaming, racism and anti-Semitism, but the surprise is how Dr. Ahmed also finds tenderness at the tattered edges of extremism, and a life-changing pilgrimage back to her Muslim faith." - Gail Sheehy The decisions that change your life are often the most impulsive ones. Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong. What she discovers is vastly different. The Kingdom is a world apart, a land of unparralled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty and love. And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity. A place where she discovers what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women.
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"The writer isn't the best at prose, but her memories of her expat life in Saudi Arabia are riveting in their striking foreign-ness to Western lifestyles. Perhaps most interesting, are the things that are parallel among cultures: inherent misogyny and male chauvinism and oppression of women that is the same everywhere in the world, impossible to escape as a female."
— Virginia (4 out of 5 stars)
In the Land of Invisible Women Listener Reviews
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" interesting subject, interesting story, terrible written. "
— Alexis, 2/16/2014 -
" This book was a mixed bag for me. I loved reading about the aspects of her job--the interactions between her colleagues and navigating in such a foreign cultural environment. Where she lost me was the focus on the aspects of Islam. I felt as if she were giving me a Sunday School lesson (no pun intended) every single chapter. A kind of a "sit back and listen to THIS!!" each time a new aspect of the religion revealed itself. I am all for learning about her own personal experiences and hearing her own personal insights; however, I don't want to feel as if the author is trying to convince me. I wouldn't enjoy this writing style if it were written by a Lutheran, Shinto, or Pagan. Just state your experience and let me connect with you. Three stars for the heavy-handed proselytizing and my *SIGH* here we go again reaction. "
— NATUI, 2/15/2014 -
" This sounded really interesting so I picked it up cheap from one of the kindle sales. I was slowly enjoying the book - picking it up, enjoying it and then setting it down and forgetting it (repeat several times). Then I read a friend's review about how fragmented it is and there isn't really any sort of a story. I didn't really want to waste my time reading a so-so book when I have a million and 10 other books I'd also like to read. Maybe I'll pick it back up again? "
— Becky, 2/7/2014 -
" A really interesting account of her experience of the Saudi Kingdom. Being of the moslem faith herself creates an opportunity for a inside perspective of the workings of different believers within the culture. "
— Jeanne, 2/3/2014 -
" Chilling. The journey she makes professionally and spiritually is such a contrast to the end of the book when 9/11 happens and all the enlightened, educated doctors reveal their rabid antisemitism, magical thinking etc. "
— Susie, 1/29/2014 -
" While the topic was interesting and her experience were enlightening, her overly descriptive writing is exhausting. She tries to hard to be TOO descriptive and it takes away from the actual story. "
— Cris, 1/28/2014 -
" Mostly I enjoyed this book and definitely learned a lot about the women of Saudi Arabia. However I found the writing stilted, overly descriptive and repetitive, and definitely too long. This is a case of less is more. "
— Bev, 12/26/2013 -
" Dr. Ahmed, a British-born Muslim, takes a job in Saudi Arabia. For two years, she struggles with the extreme sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia she encounters there. Simultaneously, she has several intense religious experiences, and seeks to reconcile the two. "
— Wealhtheow, 12/18/2013 -
" An interesting perspective from an American doctor, a Muslim raised in England, working for two years in Saudi Arabia just prior to 9/11. She returns to America just after 9/11 with new insights into the oppression of women (and men). "
— Sandy, 11/23/2013 -
" Not the best read I've ever had, but it is a current and very informative about the lives of women in Saudia Arabia. If you like to read about different cultures you will like this book... "
— loveyalyn, 11/22/2013 -
" An eye-opener; very interesting journey into entirely different culture; gave me better understanding of Muslim world; unfortunately a bit disturbing "
— Alla, 8/13/2013 -
" Wonderful read, Qanta Ahmed has written a Insightful and wonderful book about life of women of different backgrounds in the Kingdom prior to 9/11. "
— Haukur, 7/20/2013 -
" This isn't a review yet, but I am loving this book!! "
— Ranae, 3/24/2013 -
" This book was interesting. It was well written, but sometimes there was just too much detail during which I fell asleep! "
— Judi, 3/13/2013 -
" While reading this book I wasn't sure if I liked it or loved it. At the end of the day, I loved it. It provided me with a lot of insight into Saudi society, with its medieval restrictions. I think Nadine should definitely give this a read! "
— Patricia, 3/4/2013 -
" Very well-written memoir that really opened my eyes to Saudi culture and Muslim women. I highly recommend this book. "
— Amanda, 6/10/2012
About Qanta A. Ahmed
Qanta A. Ahmed, MD, is currently an assistant professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and Assistant Director of the MUSC Sleep Disorders Laboratory. She is quadruple boarded in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and sleep disorders medicine. She continues to practice intensive care medicine. She became a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, a Diplomat, and member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
About Nicola Barber
Nicola Barber, is an Audie Award and Earphones Award-winning narrator whose voice can be heard in television and radio commercials and popular video games such as World of Warcraft. She is also an Audie finalist in the prestigious category of solo female narrationfor her work on Murphy’s Law by Rhys Bowen and Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. She has performed on the stage in New York City and at a number of top regional theaters in the United States. Her film and television roles include The Nanny Diaries with Scarlett Johansson, and Law & Order’s 2009 season premiere. Originally from England, she currently resides in New York, a multicultural background that enables her to bring a broad range of accents and characterizations to her role as a full-time voice-over actor.