Single in Saudi

I enjoyed "Single in Saudi", and I think it makes a great gift for a friend who might be looking for a fun read at the beach, on the plane, or any other place. It's not "War and Peace" or a definitive analysis of gender and cultural conflicts. But "Single in Saudi" does not pretend to be any of those things. Yes, it does provide insights into Middle Eastern culture, religious and political conflicts, man/woman relations, the geography of the old world, the challenges of trying to provide 20th century nursing care in a relatively primitive setting compared to most western societies, the horror of helping patients immolated after being raped, the joy of saving babies with birth defects and mid-wifing termed mothers on airplanes, as well as just living and working in primitive quarters where the water flowed only 3 hours a day. But the educational component of "Single" is heavily sugar-coated with the adventures of a young American nurse exploring life in the old world during the roaring 70's when "drugs, sex, and rock and roll" were dominant cultural phenomena in America and, as a reader will discover, not totally absent from the Middle East. If you want a heavy, serious book to trudge through which quickly puts you to sleep, "Single in Saudi" is not for you. But if you want some fun, something that teaches you a few things about the Middle East in the 70's and . . . . maybe keeps you up a little later to soak up all the adventures on the pages, "Single in Saudi" is a good book to have.

Really great. Took me back to the Kingdom of the 1970s and 1980s before the money got tight and before the Gulf War. It's a different place today, but those of you who were there in those days will enjoy it. When the Kingdom was a place of parties and bed-hopping for any ex-pat who was willing.

I have been a housewife for more years than I care to remember- taking care of my family. I picked up this book and could not put it down-Genia was such an adventuress- she took me on all of her adventures with her great descriptions and observations-not to mention her romantic encounters. She lived a life I can only find in a book-a true life adventure book of a very gutsy, fun loving gal. For all you bored housewives out there,like me, read this book and take a trip around the world and into a very different culture. Cudos to Genia.

I absolutely loved the book. I had trouble putting it down, but unfortunately did and left it on the airplane. Once I got home, I had to purchase another copy b/c I HAD to finish it. I love that Genia is such an adventurous free spirit. It definitely made the book very exciting. Although I am against drug-use, I don't judge her for it. I just love the fact that she lives her life to the fullest. I wish I had the guts that she does.

I have read this book a couple of times. I love the story and the insight of women inside this strange (at least to me) world. I do admit that the writer is not an English major, BUT, the story far outweighs the "mistakes" in English. I would highly recommend reading this book, especially today, to see what it is really like "behind" the veil for women in this part of the world. The person who wrote that an editor should work on this book is not an English major either. I think the critique was poorly written too.