Thought-provoking. Review on Princess - Jean Sasson

Princess is the story of Princess Sultana (name changed, of course), royal blood and a direct relation of the Al Saud clan. The Al Saud family are the rulers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have been so since 1902.

It is the story of one woman living in a mans world, hoping to reveal to the world the plight of the muslim woman in Saudi Arabia.

Although, Princess Sultana never insults her faith, she berates the men of the Kingdom who twist the words of the Holy Koran to suit themselves. She is a strong woman who fights for what she believes is right. Although, she has no power, she uses her clever mind to outwit the menfolk in her life.

One of the youngest of ten daughters and one son, Sultana learns early in life that her brother is the head of the family after their father and anything that he does and says is sacred. A son is considered as the supreme ruler of the household and hence he can do no wrong. While a girl, well, a girl is basically considered a liability and a slave to the whims of her male masters.

Princess Sultana comes from a Kingdom she loves and fears. Her story is one of petty revenge and desolation. She reveals the horrors of the lives of the women around her. She talks of the barbaric ritual of female circumcision, of the fate of the woman who dared love another man, of a child who was stoned to death for “leading on” her brothers friends to rape her, of a Filipino maids entry into the household for the sole pleasure of the masters son, the list is endless….

Princess Sultana reveals the daring steps she takes when her husband decides to take another wife to bear him more sons. She speaks of the mutawa (the religious police) who punish and sometimes brutally murder innocent women and girls for the slightest transgressions.

One must never lose sight of the fact that Princess Sultana is one of the fortunate Saudi women, living in the lap of luxury, who has not only received a decent education but also has access to incalculable amounts of cash and jewelry when needed. Even through her glorified position, she sees the reality of her position and the stifling position of women in Saudi society.

She tells us of her mother, Fadeela, her sisters, Sara and Nura, her friends, Wafa and Nadia. Jean P. Sasson has taken a great risk writing this book from the journals of Princess Sultana.

The intention of the book is, according to the author, to humanize the arab people of Saudi Arabia. The sequel to this book is “Princess Sultana’s daughters”, another insightful book though not as revealing as Princess.

The author, is in no way, trying to demean the religion of Islam nor is she trying to portray the people of Saudi Arabia as anything other than what they are. The Princess Sultana is also a real princess in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She too, has taken a great risk by agreeing to the publishing of this book which could very well bring down the wrath of the King of Saudi Arabia on herself and the rest of her family.

Many believe, that Princess Sultana was imprisoned for the publication of Princess, however, the sequel proves otherwise. I am also given to understand, that there is yet another book about Princess Sultana entitled Princess Sultanas Circle. This trilogy, I assume, will give the maximum insight into the lives of the women of Saudi Arabia.

The book is termed as controversial as it reveals the innermost truths of a country that noone really knows and is constantly shrouded in mystery.