Daring to Drive

A Saudi Woman's Awakening

De: Manal al-Sharif

Narrado por: Lameece Issaq

A ferociously intimate memoir by a devout woman from a modest family in Saudi Arabia who became the unexpected leader of a courageous movement to support women's right to drive.

Manal al-Sharif grew up in Mecca the second daughter of a taxi driver, born the year fundamentalism took hold. In her adolescence she was a religious radical, melting her brother's boy band cassettes in the oven because music was haram: forbidden by Islamic law. But what a difference an education can make. By her 20s she was a computer security engineer, one of few women working in a desert compound that resembled suburban America. That's when the Saudi kingdom's contradictions became too much to bear: She was labeled a slut for chatting with male colleagues, her teenage brother chaperoned her on a business trip, and while she kept a car in her garage, she was forbidden from driving down city streets behind the wheel.

Daring to Drive is the fiercely intimate memoir of an accidental activist, a powerfully vivid story of a young Muslim woman who stood up to a kingdom of men - and won. Writing on the cusp of history, Manal offers a rare glimpse into the lives of women in Saudi Arabia today. Her memoir is a remarkable celebration of resilience in the face of tyranny, the extraordinary power of education and female solidarity, and the difficulties, absurdities, and joys of making your voice heard.

©2017 Manal al-Sharif (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

Great story

A strong woman that is going against all the society in Saudi Arabia! Loved this book!
The Narrator Lameece Issaq did a great job speaking Manal’s voice! She gave me strong emotions when listening to her!

The story of Women living in Saudi Arabia

I enjoyed reading about Manal's struggles living in a society that does not respect women. Not allowing women to drive is just one of the problems that women and girls face in Saudi Arabia. I see a revolution or an enlightened leader in the future of this nation. The system won't survive otherwise.

Riveting

A must read. Inspirational! The story of a woman that did not give up and continues to believe things will change for women.

Outstanding autobiography

Fabulous book. Eye opening. Truly remarkable what Manal has experienced and her will to drive change to help women in Saudi.

A Call for Decency and Respect

Ms. al-Sharif courageously addresses the blatant disregard for women in a religion dominated society. The horrid genital circumcision of young girls nearing puberty; the permission required from a male to travel, obtain a place to live, or obtain a divorce; aspects of control granted even to a widower's son or derelict old father. Ms. al-Sharif's awakening comes in her ability to overcome numerous obstacles in her job in a male dominated though westernized Saudi oil company; through her enjoyment and participation in her child's play at her place of employment in activities otherwise forbidden to girls in Saudi society; and in a year working in the eastern U.S. through friendships she made that included a man from Alabama and a Jewish woman. Followed by her daring to drive, resulting in jail time, where again she demonstrates her humanity through her care and consideration of those in jail with her, women more unfortunate than herself. After the publication of the book, success for Saudi women in being permitted to drive. Much more progress is still to be made.

Great book, poor narration

What did you love best about Daring to Drive?

The story is fascinating, heart-breaking, and eye-opening. I learned a lot about women's rights (or lack thereof) in Saudi Arabia.

Manal's beliefs about her religion and culture change throughout her youth. She does such a nice job helping the reader understand the familial, social, and cultural influences that contributed to her beliefs and perspectives at various points in her adolescence and young adulthood. It is so easy to understand why, at one point in her life, she embraced an ultra-conservative form of Islam.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Daring to Drive?

Her excitement about getting a Barbie doll when she was a child was really interesting to read about -- as well as the ultimate demise of the Barbie.

Would you be willing to try another one of Lameece Issaq’s performances?

Yes. However, I was really, really disappointed with her narration of this book. Manal experiences a great deal of pain, fear, grief, etc. throughout the book. However, Issaq's tone is consistently one of irritation. She just sounds irritated (and a bit egotistical) throughout. I find it hard to believe that when, for example, Manal was imprisoned and had no idea how long she would be held (and how long she would be away from her son, who becomes very, very ill while she is in prison) that her primary mood was one of irritation. I found the tone to be very distracting throughout the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book moved me! One moment in particular that I've thought about a lot was when she was finally released from jail. She says that she couldn't wait to sleep with her arms around her young son. As a mother myself with only one child -- a son -- that would have been my first thought, too.

informative

Reading from around the world is empowering. so glad that our book club chose this to read.

An eye opening story

Such a young writer with an emotional and eventful life. Written in a fluid way, I learned a lot and enjoyed every bit of it. We need more women with her intelligent courage. Thank you Manal.

The rain begins with a single drop

Although I'm a female Saudi and often subjected to the same injustice as Manal; listening to this book made me cringe in disgust every time she's been mistreated and violated.

I'm forever grateful for what she's done and I do believe that rain begins with a single drop. As of today, the campaign #stopEnslavingSaudiWomen has completed 360 days and the level of awareness and normalization of women's rights have never been this positive. Thank you, Manal.

the rain begins with a single drop

Manal al-sharif is a hero. her story is profound and moving. It is an important piece of feminist writing and it is very well-read. I wish I had children that I could ask to read this book.