Memoirs from the Women's Prison
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Book Overview
Often likened to Rigoberta Menchu and Nadine Gordimer, Nawal El Saadawi is one of the world's leading feminist authors. Director of Health and Education in Cairo, she was summarily dismissed from her post in 1972 for her political writing and activities. In 1981 she was imprisoned by Anwar Sadat for alleged "crimes against the State" and was not released until after his assassination.
Memoirs from the Women's Prison offers both firsthand witness to women's resistance to state violence and fascinating insights into the formation of women's community. Saadawi describes how political prisoners, both secular intellectuals and Islamic revivalists, forged alliances to demand better conditions and to maintain their sanity in the confines of their cramped cell.
Saadawi's haunting prose makes Memoirs an important work of twentieth-century literature. Recognized as a classic of prison writing, it touches all who are concerned with political oppression, intellectual freedom, and personal dignity.
Memoirs from the Women's Prison offers both firsthand witness to women's resistance to state violence and fascinating insights into the formation of women's community. Saadawi describes how political prisoners, both secular intellectuals and Islamic revivalists, forged alliances to demand better conditions and to maintain their sanity in the confines of their cramped cell.
Saadawi's haunting prose makes Memoirs an important work of twentieth-century literature. Recognized as a classic of prison writing, it touches all who are concerned with political oppression, intellectual freedom, and personal dignity.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0520088883
ISBN13:9780520088887
Release Date:November 1994
Publisher:University of California Press
Length:204 Pages
Weight:0.54 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 5.6" x 8.3"
Related Subjects
Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History Business & Investing Criminology Egypt Gender Studies History Humanities Literary Criticism Literary Criticism & Collections Management & Leadership Memoirs Middle East Military Political Science Politics & Government Politics & Social Sciences Social Science Social Sciences Specific Groups Specific Topics Women Women's StudiesCustomer Reviews
4 ratings
satisfied customer
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I got the book sooner than I expected, and it was in great condition. I was very satisfied with this purchase.
Moving and Powerful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Dr. Saadawi relates her prison experience in piercing detail, from the putrid infestations to the commentary on the various women with which she shares her living space. But more importantly, readers see inside her mind just how she was able to get through nearly a month of torturous living conditions and the violent separation with her family and home. Dr. Saadawi gives us an insight into what goes through prisoners minds when they deal with an infinite amount of prison time ahead of them with little chance of release. Her courage and determination in living while still in prison and standing up to the ridiculous circumstances surrounding her imprisonment are brought forth with an emotion one can not help but enjoy.
Dr. Sadawi does it again
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Nawal El Saddawi is one of the most prolific and poignant writers of our time. Both her fiction and non-fiction writing is beautiful and insperational. I highly recomend this book.
A Beautiful Story of Struggle and Independence
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I had to read it for a class in college, and I will be the first to admit that I was turned off by the cover and the bland title. I'm glad I was forced to give this book a chance. It's an amazing true story of a female doctor in Cairo who is taken away to a prison for her outspoken ideas. The governemnt takes her from her home and forces her to live with several other women with very differnt backgrounds from one another. However, the situation causes Sadaawi to become somewhat of a "leader," and the women form a strong and unique friendship. It's an amazing and beautiful book and also a fast read - don't pass this up.
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