One of the recent books which impressed me with the sheer honesty based on a true story of the writer is the book called Inside the kingdom by Carmen Bin laden, a story propelled by the 9/11 tragedy which questioned the author, her right to existence ,owing to her surname.

Being an avid reader, but not a buyer of biographies or autobiographies, I happened to buy this for the sheer intrigue that surrounds the author’s surname and the reviews I had come across. A very poignant, honest and thought provoking book which portrays the author’s life in her own words, her struggles, her strength to survive in a society which questions the very freedom and rights of a woman which we so take for granted.

It begins with the author speaking fondly of her early years as a young bride moving to her husbands country, totally alien to her, with hopes and dreams of a bright future like any other bride…we see her going through the turmoil of being caught between two different cultures, the one she is brought up in and the one she is married to, the sheer pressure to fit in to one of the most influential families in Saudi Arabia not to mention, the subjugation that exists therein…it depicts so well the conflicting emotions she goes through trying to be part of the same much against her will …Her need and perseverance to have a normal family life in the midst of a controlling atmosphere makes you wonder at her grit and determination to fight through the odds….the religious fanatism,the glaring hypocrisy existing in the society ,all thought provoking to say the least.

Through her story we also get an insight into the life within the boundaries for the millions of Saudi women who merely exist unquestioningly without any dreams or aspirations and even if they do exist, know that they would never translate into reality…a life confined to the demands and needs of their spouses, the rigid ness of the culture which portrays a very harsh and bleak existence.

The author speaks of the futile efforts made by her to bring about changes, faced with opposition and ridicule…her conflicting emotions to stay afloat in her marriage for the sake of her children and yet wanting to break free from the shackles of a rigid society for the sake of the same…her growing concern for her safety brings forth her maternal instincts to protect them. What is truly remarkable is her strength she shows to fight back at the injustices fully aware of the repercussions

The book ends with Carmen making the bold move to escape with her children at the cost of her marriage and threat to her life and moving to a new country to start life afresh, her sheer guts and strength to fight all odds and animosity, truly admirable.

A must read for all book lovers especially women ,for it makes you thankful for the one thing we all take for granted, freedom in all its forms. A real collector’s item.

Neetha Menon