A review by bookkat
Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman's Awakening by Manal Al-Sharif

5.0

I found this to be an important book that provided many details about the challenges of living as a Saudi woman, how totally their lives were limited and controlled. Much of the memoir describes al-Sharif’s childhood in Mecca; explaining family life and Saudi customs. During her childhood, Al-Sharif was a devote follow of Islam and went to lengths to follow customs of dress, etc. Fortunately, she is educated and successfully graduates from college and is employed by Aramco, an oil company whose workers live in a Westernized compound. Ultimately, Al-Sharif becomes an activist over the issue of driving. The information is presented with minimal emotion and at times I felt the narration was harsh. I needed to take breaks, as I found the constant (and often ridiculous) challenges to her rights as a woman were overwhelming.