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Summary: Heartfelt Thanks from the Grieving Mother of a Saudi Hostage
Review: I wish to publicly thank Ms Sasson for including my little girl's story in the chapter entitled "Stolen Angels" in her newest book about "Princess Sultana." DESERT ROYAL depicts in painful detail the situation that my daughter and so many other little American children face after they are kidnapped and held hostage by their Saudi victimizers. My child has been away two long years, but there are others who have been held against their will for 20 years and more. Some of these American girls have grown up in Saudi Arabia, and even as adult women, are not allowed to obtain passports (either Saudi or American) so that they can visit their left-behind mothers in the United States or elsewhere. My daughter Heidi, who is a helpless 7-year-old now, has not been allowed to even call me, write to me, receive gifts from me or the rest of her family in over 2 years. Until recently, in fact, I have not even known if she was dead or alive. I am grateful to Jean for making this extreme form of child abuse against innocent children an issue. The world should not tolerate such uncivilized and savage behavior on the part of a nation that is a trading partner of the US. If the facts of Heidi's situation are appalling to the Western reader, the details of how a young Asian girl is bought as a sex slave by a young prince of the Al-Saud family are even more disturbing. Thank God that Princess Sultana and some of the other women of the family were able to help this child escape from the rapaciousness of the male child molesters. I thank God that there are Saudi women with the courage to stand up--at much risk to their own lives--and tell the world of the injustices perpetrated upon them by a corrupt system. I thank God that Jean Sasson--also at much personal risk-- is one American woman with the courage to bring this secret Saudi shame to the attention of the entire world.
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Summary: Thanking my readers
Review: If you are reading this third book about Sultana, I know youare a true believer in justice for all women. And, I sincerely hope,that while reading my books, you are enjoying a second, and very important benefit: learning the truth about the lives of women who are hidden behind black veils of secrecy.Although I have already written detailed comments under "Princess" and "Daughters," I did want to thank each of you for caring enough to continue with "Sultana's" Story. So many readers have already let me know that this third book is their favorite of the three books about Princess "Sultana." I have no explanation for this, other than this extraordinary woman tends to "grow" on you. Whatever the reason, the Princess & I are sincerely grateful. (Prior to writing the first book, I had been told that Western readers would not be interested in a story about an Arab, Muslim woman... How wrong all these people were...) And, if you have finished reading this book, the Princess & I ask that, if at all possible, you all try to help another woman in need. If you'll look around, you'll find her. Women are in need in every country, including countries in the West where many of us live our daily lives. If nothing else, please write to representatives of your government and ask that IMMEDIATE government assistance be given to the mothers who have lost their children to their Saudi fathers. Little innocent girls such as Heidi, featured in this book, should never be forgotten... Tears spring into my eyes even as I write these words, thinking of what that poor child must be enduring, and the tears she is crying, pleading to see her mother. And, there are so many little girls and boys who have been abducted from their mothers and taken into Saudi Arabia--never to be seen again by those who gave them life. Who of us can forget Margarget McClain, and other women like her, who are fighting for the right just to see their babies... Certainly, this most important issue should be addressed by every government. Someone, help these women and children... please... And, thanks so much for caring, Jean Sasson
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Summary: Just wondered if Amani was still a religious fanatic
Review: Just wondered if Sultana's daughter Amani, was still a religious fanatic who was constantly inspecting the morals of her family and friends. If she was, maybe Sultana ought to have heeded the warning "be careful what you ask for, you may get it" and realize that she was better off when her daughter was still an animal fanatic, who bought caged birds for the sake of freeing them and who kept an informal "sanctuary for stray pets."
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Summary: Good...if you want fiction.
Review: Like Jean Sasson's other glorified pulp-fiction tomes, Desert Royal smacks of fabrication to anyone who actually KNOWS a single Saudi. Although, I have no problem with fictional tales, even if they have no redeeming value other than cheap entertainment, Desert Royal only dupes those foolish enough to buy it (along with their check-out gossip rags.) How convienient that Sasson must "hide" the identity of her "Princess"...if only all authors had that priviledge, I am sure we could all turn out trashy tales by the boxfull.
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Summary: Good...if you want fiction.
Review: Like Jean Sasson's other glorified pulp-fiction tomes, Desert Royal smacks of fabrication to anyone who actually KNOWS a single Saudi. Although, I have no problem with fictional tales, even if they have no redeeming value other than cheap entertainment, Desert Royal only dupes those foolish enough to buy it (along with their check-out gossip rags.) How convienient that Sasson must "hide" the identity of her "Princess"...if only all authors had that priviledge, I am sure we could all turn out trashy tales by the boxfull.
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Summary: A woman who makes a change
Review: Most of us live our lives plodding along in our own self-indulgence, within our own microcosms, leaving little behind before moving on to another dimension. Few are able to help our society move on and develop; those are the individuals who have achieved greatness either during their lifetimes though the majority reach fame and bring on change after their deaths. Great individuals who have helped humanity develop for the better are usually greatly critised when their new ideas or opinions are expressed. The reaction from their peers varies from endorsement to repudiation. These few fortunate individuals are the ones who make a difference, who have taken us away from the middle ages to be what humanity is today. These people make a change to society as it evolves; they leave their mark behind, they help our race evolve. Jean Sasson truly is one of these fortunate few.( ) As a professional expatriate who has travelled the world, lived in the Saudi Arabia, and has had the good fortune of seeing so many different cultures, I say: "Jean Sasson, I salute you. You have had the strength to stand up and say your piece. You are making a difference and are leaving an indelible mark to humanity. The books are important and are making a change. Keep writing!"
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Summary: It's a good read, but is it the Alter Ego of the Author?
Review: The Ka'ba is the most holy structure in Islam situated in Mecca, and is according to Islam the centre of the world. There is a dispute in the book versus readers as to whether Jean Sassoon is the "Princess" herself in alter-ego. The Desert Royal is a great read, and as a business visitor to Saudi Arabia, I find readings about the modern nation useful; there are few fact based books on the lives of Saudi's out in print in contemporary times. I am responding to the specific charges that there are mistakes in the book "Desert Royal", per se, the description of the interior of the Ka'ba does in reality vary from the author's description. ... ... I am not against the author, yet there are so many anti-Saudi books out in print, it would be a tragedy if Jean Sasoon "made the trilogy up", like so many other authors have in the past. Personally well studied and somewhat traveled in the Kingdom, I quote this description of the Ka'ba; the following can be verified from any Islamic Encyclopaedia to support the facts versus the author's version of the interior of the Ka'ba. The base of the Ka'ba is 10.5 x 12 meters, and it's 15 meters high, and is standing on a marble base which is 25 cm high. Each of the corners are pointing in the four directions of the compass. It is built of grey stones from the hills around Mecca.
The door of the Ka'ba is in the northeastern wall, and is 2 meters above the ground. Inside the Ka'ba, three wooden pillars hold the roof up. The roof can be accessed by a ladder. The floor is covered by marble, and there are no furnitures, except gold and silver lamps. Please compare this interior description with the author's account. On the outside, in the corner east of the door and 1,5 meters above the ground, the Black Stone is found. This Black Stone is now in pieces, three large parts, and smaller fragments, which are tied together with a silver band. There are several theories on the origin of the Black Stone: a meteor; lava; or basalt. Its colour is reddish black, with some red and yellow particles. Its original diameter is estimated to have been 30 cm. There is another stone, too, built into the Ka'ba, in the western corner, the Stone of Good Fortune, which is far less sacred than the Black Stone. This does vary with the author's description. Is the book "real"? I feel other site details in Jedda, Riyadh and Taif are off, However, I am not a literary expert, pointing these things out is less useful. Let's open a debate about this interesting discrepancy and see what becomes of it. Best wishes/
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Summary: How much misleading does america need
Review: This princess is the biggest spoiled brat I've ever seen. And she seems to have gotten even more spoiled than in her first two books! However, she does have some interesting things to say, and some more horrifying tales of how women are treated in Saudi Arabia. Still an excellent read for anyone interested in the life of women in Arab countries. I live in Morocco, and want to assure people that women are treated far better here.
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Summary: Princess Sultanna's Third Book......
Review: This princess is the biggest spoiled brat I've ever seen. And she seems to have gotten even more spoiled than in her first two books! However, she does have some interesting things to say, and some more horrifying tales of how women are treated in Saudi Arabia. Still an excellent read for anyone interested in the life of women in Arab countries. I live in Morocco, and want to assure people that women are treated far better here.
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Summary: A PASTICHE OF PRINCELY PROPORTIONS
Review: This trilogy is a pastiche of actual events and urban myths that have happened in Saudi Arabia over the past 30 years. Princess Sultana is not a real person. She is the alter-ego of the author. This is apparent from the framed narrative which uses the 'Princess' as a mouthpiece for this melange of fact and fiction. Evidence of this is seen in the pathetic description of what lies inside the Ka'ba. It reads more like a creative visualization trip. The reader should be reading this with a discerning eye and be aware that like many people, Arabia too, has a dual personality, much like the US Presidency. My advice is to invest your money in a book which will help people fight corruption in your own country. Saudi Arabia is a law to itself. It maintains a strict code due to its custodianship of Mecca and Madina and the pressure from its Moslem communities world wide to adhere to this code in respect of these holy cities.
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