Headscarves and Hymens by Mona Eltahawy

Headscarves and Hymens

by Mona Eltahawy

'Shocking, heartfelt and well-researched' New Statesman

'A ground-shaping book that defines the edge of so many vital contemporary debates. Hers is a voice simultaneously behind and beyond the veil' Colum McCann

'A fascinating, can't-look-away, whistle-stop tour of the Middle East' Daily Telegraph

'Brave and impassioned . . . A shocking book, and one that will make anyone who has seen veiling as a cultural issue think very hard about what is really going on' Mail on Sunday

Headscarves and Hymens explodes the myth that we should stand back and watch while women are disempowered and abused in the name of religion.

In this laceratingly honest account, Eltahawy takes aim both at attitudes in the Middle East and at the western liberals who mistake misogyny for cultural difference. Her argument is clear: unless political revolution in the Arab world is accompanied by social and sexual revolution, no progress will be made.

Headscarves and Hymens is the book the world has been crying out for: a powerful, fearless account of what it really means to be a woman in the Muslim world.

'A fascinating, can't-look-away, whistle-stop tour of the Middle East' Daily Telegraph

'Brave and impassioned . . . A shocking book, and one that will make anyone who has seen veiling as a cultural issue think very hard about what is really going on' Mail on Sunday

Reviewed by Heather on

3 of 5 stars

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If you are reasonably well informed about the struggles of women in Islamic countries, nothing in this book is going to come as a shock. That’s a shame. It would be nice to be surprised to hear that women can’t drive or go out without a male relative to play sports. I didn’t know that Saudi Arabia had been forced to allow female athletes to participate in the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee. I also did not know that Saudi clerics started publicly calling these athletes whores and used the hashtag #prostitutesoftheOlympics. I wasn’t surprised though and that is sad. Even though incidents like this aren’t surprising it is important to read about them to be reminded of what is happening.

Rest of review at http://www.spiritblog.net/?p=9030

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 August, 2015: Finished reading
  • 1 August, 2015: Reviewed