A review by oddtreeford
Women of Sand and Myrrh by حنان الشيخ, Hanan Al-Shaykh

challenging hopeful informative sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book follows four different women living in an unnamed (but inspired by Saudi Arabia) Middle Eastern country. Their story is divided into four sections, one for each woman, and tells of their personal, cultural, and religious struggles living in this region. It’s an incredible insight into the region and the lives of the women there. In particular, I thought the stories of Suha and Tamr, the first two stories, were inspiring for their explorations of marriage, motherhood, and trauma. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings