Princess

A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

By: Jean Sasson

Narrated by: Catherine Byers

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Princess describes the life of Princess Sultana Al Sa'ud, a princess in the royal house of Saudi Arabia. Hidden behind her black veil, she is a prisoner, jailed by her father, her husband, and her country.

Sultana tells of appalling oppressions, everyday occurrences that in any other culture would be seen as shocking human rights violations: 13-year-old girls forced to marry men five times their age; young women killed by drowning, stoning, or isolation in the "women's room". Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and courage, and you will never forget her or her Muslim sisters.

A New York Times best-seller, Princess was named one of the 500 Great Books by Women Since 1300. It was also an Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club and a Reader's Digest Selection.

©2004 The Sasson Corporation (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Wow...

Such a powerful book. To hear a full story of this princess' experience just brings you in and really makes you feel for her. I hope something can be done for women in Saudi Arabia... :(

Good story but...

Would you consider the audio edition of Princess to be better than the print version?

Probably not. The narrator was monotone and didn't bring much life to the audio portion of the book.

What did you like best about this story?

It was real and authentic.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Catherine Byers?

Not on purpose!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, not at all. The stories were good but 30 mins at a time was enough.

Any additional comments?

Soltana, the princess in this story was one of thousands of princesses in Saudi. In the end, she didn't accomplish anything or do anything historic or even memorable such that reading about her specifically is exciting. She just happens to be one of 21,000 members of the royal Saudi family and talks about the (undoubtedly scary) every day life of a woman in Saudi.

Riveting story!

This book kept me spellbound to the very end. The ability of the reader to bring the voice of the subject to life was incredible.

I was so ignorant

I feel ashamed to have been so involved in my own life to not be aware of the injustices of women in Saudi Arabia and around the world for so may years and even to this day. I cried multiple times listening to the book and have been awakened to speak up and raise awareness regarding the treatment of women. One of the best books! So grateful.

Well done.

I really enjoyed this book. A friend from the middle east recommended it, and I'm glad that I picked it up.

Heartbreaking Reality

True story of how woman and children are treated in Saudi Arabia. Sad, disturbing and heartbreaking that this is still happening all over the world.

A great understanding of a princess life in Saudi Arabia

This is a well written book that takes you from a beginning in a country where not even a princess is safe from male oppression. Excited to start book number two, Princess Sultanas Daughters following by princess sultanas circle. Great trilogy!

Thankful for my independence

This book makes you appreciate our ability to choose our own educational and career pathpath in the United States. I’m glad that opportunities are opening elsewhere in the world is well. #arabwomen #behindtheveil #abuse #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Wonderful Book!

What a thought provoking book. I couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks after I finished. Definitely reading the next book in the series!

Read this book!

I was enthralled by this book and sorry to finish it. The title and cover picture almost put me off, making me think of a romance novel, but this is not that! It's a fascinating, horrifying, detailed narrative of the life of a Saudi woman (yes, a princess, but they have many). She is economically privileged, but the story is about life as a girl and woman in Saudi Arabia, and her cruel status as a captive and an object. As I read of the cruel punishments experienced by this woman and the women of her country, it became clear that ISIS hasn't come up with anything new. These horrors really do originate in Saudi Arabia. This story and its heroines are heart breaking essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the lives of women living under Wahhabism.

Behind the veil

This was a good look at the second class status of Saudi woman. This lady was a princess and described the legacy of shame on the women of Saudi Arabia, as well as to foreign women who come to work in the country. At the start she came across as a feisty young woman and I was hoping for good things to come. However nothing will change in this male dominated misogynistic society. I do wonder if there wold ever be a chance of change as the oppression of women is so deep rooted. Sultana speaks of life from the comfort of her palace, however my thoughts are with the normal Saudi women who do not have her lavish lifestyle to cushion the injustices. It was a big mistake having an older American female narrator. This was crying out for a soft Middle Eastern voice to put some feeling in the book. Many moons ago I had the opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia. The salary package was fabulous and I was very tempted. However during the interviews and selection process alarm bells started to ring fir me,,which was enough for me to withdrew my application, and in hindsight it was a very wise decision.

Still relevant today, but take some of it with a pinch of salt

Caution: As a British woman living in Saudi Arabia over the past 8 years, I’ve been a fly on the wall to a lot of changes as this desert land leapfrogs into the modern day and beyond. As a Muslim (by choice, not by birth), I would just say to anyone listening that you must separate religion from culture; Islam elevates women to a high position of honour and respect (in fact, it is said that jannah/heaven is at your mother’s feet). Just don’t go taking this as “the voice” on women and Islam, as I find that the lines between culture, tradition and religion for many born-Muslims are blurred. Performance: There were some errors in the narrator’s pronunciation of both English and Arabic words, which was a bit grating. There is one noticeable part that has been “stitched together”, i.e. there may have been a glitch whilst recording first time round, so another recording had to be made and stitched in. Story: As you can probably guess, it’s quite revealing. It’s basically an exposé on Saudi royal family life in the last half of the last century. There are facets of life, behaviour and attitudes which are true of “normal” Saudis too - even today. The story is harrowing in places and you’ll no doubt have plenty of sympathy for Sultana, someone who is likely to be very far from you in every sense.

i dont belueve the story

princess's family knew about her writing. there was a flimsy explanation in book 1 and I got the following books expecting to hear how her family reacted to her writing. I think these books are partly from.various sources and partly fiction. They didnt even go to the trouble of finding someone from that part of the world to narrate. I dont think the American voice over added any authenticity to the books. Not to criticise her, I blame the casting for that. The whole thing is more like historical fiction and just does not ring true. I'm returning these books, disappointed but the writer had a clever idea and capitalised on it.

eye opening

and soul destroying, in a way, her spirit and will leave me with an awe I cant describe, this book is well worth a listen, but prepare your mind.

Engrossing

An engrossing book about the day to day lives of women who have all the money in the world but none of the human rights, though the eyes of a woman who witnessed and resisted the cruelty of Saudi society. A fascinating biography.

Very brave from Princess

It was disturbing reality for these woman that deserve so much more. I heard of similar stories before and it's upsetting that even in this modern times women are treated so poorly. Children that are joung girls get discriminated. Education should be compulsory and available for everyone you would think. Makes my skin crawl how narrow minded man kind can be. Sad that men that come from their mother are looking down on women. I understand people need belief of some sort to lead their life. But to destroy children's childhood for the purpose of satisfying their evil ego. What kind of a man can you call urself after such bad deeds? Never ever that would be tolerated any where else. It's being a paedophile and they kept in prisons where they get killed. Ruthless this world we live in. Angers me that there are demons out there like that. I listened to the audible and felt like I could feel every pain Princess and other women have gone through. My heart goes out for every woman, child that has been unfairly abused and mistreated.

More questions than answers

I bought this book to get a view of the life of Saudi women. I listened to this book but half way through I couldn’t help thinking this is barely believable. I then googled Jean Sasson the writer and found that she had also written a book about the invasion of Kuwait and that it was pure propaganda and that is my view of this book. I know Saudis through their reputation, as pious playboys leading double hedonistic lives full of excess, and that the religious police tyrannise the local population. I believe the true picture of Saudi is yet to be told. I am also suspicious seeing the little industry that has arisen with the spin offs from the original.

It is an interesting story ...

When you want to learn about the culture and the role of women in the Saudi Arabia world this well put together Story give an interesting aspect and view In my view it is lacking something

Brilliant Listen

This was a good listen! I really recommend it, however when listening to this you need to remember that this was Saudi in the 70s and 80s.

Riveting read

Loved listening to this book. I realise how much I take my freedom for granted. I now have some insight into Saudi life.