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Preview
  • 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
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (375 ratings)

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Princess

By: Jean Sasson
Narrated by: Catherine Byers
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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.
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What listeners say about Princess

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A troubling read

This book would certainly allow one to empathise with Saudi women & their horrific mistreatment at the hands of men, however their greed & complete lack of touch with reality makes it somewhat difficult to like these women.
The real victims seem to be the mistreated & innocent servants.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tragic, fascinating and awe inspiring

Princess is Sultana’s heart-warming and tear-inducing account of womanhood for the privileged echelons of Saudi Arabia. Her unquenchable spiritedness are intoxicating and addictive - the horrors of what she has witnessed women endure is tempered by the magic of the wonderful women in her life and tales of their mischief.

Sultana’s revealing and empathetic narrative shows bravery and resilience to be admired.

This window into depth of the plight facing eastern women is tragic but inspiring - no longer can we in the west be blind to the thirst for freedom of these women, and no longer can we be blind to the selfishness, ignorance and outright cruelty of men free to preside over a subservient gender.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating!

I really enjoyed this book and for those criticising saying it’s not like that in Saudi today, this book was written about her life in the 60’s and 70’s and into late 90’s… I loved it and have purchased book 2

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

she relite my Falmes of passion for women's rights

Sasson had always spoke so deeply to my heart as a Muslim woman, knowing of how other muslim women suffered brought great relief and shukar that I was blessed with more then deserving dad and mom. sultana may crossed a line in the eyes of men. yet she did it for us, and for herself and women alike. I greatly thank her for her confidence in us. thankyou sultana

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening snd fascinating.

Time has passed since this book opened and we can only hope that the position of women in Saudi continùes to improve. As recently as May 2022 over 400 'people' were stoned to death for 'fornication' while men continue to marry multiple wives. Hiw manuy of thise were men?

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very Enlightening

Factual, very nicely narrated and not too laboured on any one incident and very informative.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerized.

loved the story. Though the narrator was monotone so I struggled to finish the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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