Review by Sonia Caballero

The Short 

This electrifying novel explores the psyche of the real character of Firdaus, a murderess who was sentenced to death after a life of surviving lethal patriarchy in the streets of Cairo.

The Long 

Nawal El Saadawi, the renowned Egyptian psychiatrist, writer and activist, wrote Woman at Point Zero in less than a week after meeting Firdaus at the female prison of Qanatir. As the author expressed, she could not rest until Firdaus’ determination was put into words and could last forever, long after her execution in 1974. The short novel tells in first person the life of an Egyptian young woman who suffered from misogyny, child marriage, domestic abuse and degradation from pimps and other male figures until she committed a sort of revenge and was sentenced to die.

To read or not to read? 

A big YES! If you are into feminist literature, this is a must. If, on the contrary, you have never been very attached to this topic, this novel can lead you to consider attitudes towards yourself and the women around you. However, nothing is black or white! And Woman at Point Zero is an interesting reading for everybody regardless of age, origin and gender.