Taboo-breaking novel stirs passion, debate in Saudi Arabia
By Donna Abu-Nasr, Associated Press |

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — It’s hardly ”Sex and the City,” but by Saudi standards ”The Girls of Riyadh” is a bombshell.

The fictional tale of the loves, dreams, and disappointments of four young women in the capital has, not surprisingly, drawn criticism in a country where women are not supposed to date or have a love life until married. More striking, however, is the degree of support being voiced for 24-year-old author Rajaa al-Sanie and her first novel.

Here’s a great article, appearing in The Boston Globe [Hurry to read it as it'll disappear behind a pay-wall soon!].

Donna Abu-Nasr, with whom I’ve worked, is a thoughtful writer. Her take on Arab society can be trusted. She talks here with the author of a book which–although only available in bootlegged editions–is taking the country by storm. I hope the author is able to find a publisher willing to do a translation as it would be an eye-popper for the Western world.

I’m pleased to see that the Ministery of Labor, Ghazi Al-Gosaibi/Al-Qusaibi, himself no stranger to problems resulting from publication, is supporting the book.