Girls of Riyadh: The Original Edition, First Edition

Author: Rajaa Alsanea Dar Al-Saqi Publishing House First Edition, 2005 Book Age: 20 years Used / Very Clean 317 pages Note: Page 25 contains scribbles, as shown in the image. The last page has a tear along the upper edge. A sensation sweeping local circles, sparked by an anonymous young woman who sends, every Friday, an email to most Internet users in Saudi Arabia, revealing secrets of her friends—women belonging to the velvet class, whose affairs are usually known only to those within that same circle. Each week, the author unveils intriguing developments and events, keeping everyone eagerly awaiting Friday to receive them. Every Saturday morning, government offices, hospitals, universities, and schools transform into forums for discussing the latest email’s events, with everyone contributing their opinions. Whatever the outcome, there is no doubt that these Western-style emails have triggered a revolution within our society—a society unaccustomed to such matters. Thus, they will remain rich material for discussion and dialogue for a long time—even after the emails cease circulating. In her debut novel, Rajaa Alsanea embarks on a bold venture: She lifts the deep veil concealing the captivating world of young women in Riyadh. And when that veil is lifted, a vivid scene unfolds before us—filled with countless humorous and heart-wrenching elements, down to every detail unknown to anyone outside this enchanting, mesmerizing world. This is a work worth reading… and this novelist is one from whom I expect much more. Ghazi Al-Qusaybi