Daring to Drive

A Saudi Woman's Awakening

De: Manal al-Sharif

Narrado por: Lameece Issaq

“A vital, inspiring book” (O, The Oprah Magazine)—a ferociously intimate memoir by a devout woman from a modest family in Saudi Arabia who became the unexpected leader of the courageous movement that won Saudi women the right to drive.

Manal al-Sharif grew up in Mecca the second daughter of a taxi driver, born the year strict 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 twenties Manal was a computer security engineer, one of few women working in a desert compound built to resemble 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 school-age brother chaperoned her on a business trip, and while she kept a car in the garage, she was forbidden from driving on Saudi streets.

Manal al-Sharif’s memoir is an “eye-opening” (The Christian Science Monitor) account of the making of an accidental activist, a vivid story of a young Muslim woman who stood up to a kingdom of men—and won. Daring to Drive is “a brave, extraordinary, heartbreakingly personal” (Associated Press) celebration of resilience in the face of tyranny and “a testament to how women in Muslim countries are helping change their culture, one step at a time” (New York Journal of Books).

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A vital, inspiring book.”

“A brave, extraordinary, heartbreakingly personal story of one woman’s battle for equal rights.... The book provides a rare glimpse into... the hearts and minds of people who live in a society that is mostly off-limits to Westerners. [Al-Sharif's] literary achievement is that despite the huge cultural differences, Daring to Drive shows that Saudi women and men have dreams and fears much like our own.”

“Future generations will marvel at Manal al-Sharif, whose voice is laden with quiet dignity even at its most urgent. Her gripping account of homegrown courage will speak to the fighter in all of us.” (Deborah Feldman, New York Times bestselling author of Unorthodox)

“An astonishing, humble, truthful book, more illuminating than a hundred newspaper stories on Saudi Arabia. Manal is no Chanel-draped, chauffeur-driven Saudi princess. Her account of why a single working mother’s life compelled her to confront the kingdom’s fiercely patriarchal ways is touching and revealing in equal measure.” (Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad)

“Remarkable.”

“Inspiring.”

“Eye-opening... [and] compelling.”

“A captivating read. Manal al-Sharif refuses to hide her scars, unveiling what she endured and sacrificed to become a professional who has fearlessly pushed the boundaries of tradition.” (Elena Gorokhova, author of Russian Tattoo)

“There are vignettes of laughter and love... [and] glimpses of rich, vibrant Arab life.... A testament to how women in Muslim countries are helping change their culture, one step at a time.”

“Fascinating, powerful, and heartbreaking... a truly eye-opening read.”

“Remarkable. Manal al-Sharif invites us to ride with her to bend the arc of history towards equality and justice.” (Rula Jebreal, international bestselling author of Miral)

“If you’re searching for an inspiring memoir, Daring to Drive should be on your must-read list.”

“An intimate look at life for women growing up in Saudi Arabia and the challenges of seeking major social change.”

“Al-Sharif’s transformation from religious radical to feminist champion is incredibly inspiring.”

“Daring to Drive is an important book.... Al-Sharif tells her story in clear, readable prose... [and] provides readers with unusual insight into what it means to be a woman under Wahhabi.”

“Compelling.”

“An intimate and powerful book from what is hopefully only the first of many Saudi voices to speak out.”

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.

Favorite book for 2017

Beautifully written, educational, and quite moving! Best book I have read and listened to in 2017! Please do read/listen. Well done! KHS

Freedom

This book shows how fortunate women are in countries where they are equal to men and also the simple amenities we take for granted every day such as running water. If you want to know how fortunate you are select this book.

Excellent book

This was a book I could not stop listening to. It's hard to understand a place where women cannot go to a grocery store to get basic necessities because they are not allowed to drive.

Daring to drive : we can all be a part of makin

I am encouraged to be pro active in making changes I my home first and in my community.

I will remember that the rain starts with one drop.

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.