Girls Of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea

Review by: Isabel Morford-Cheibub

The short
A group of elite Saudi women swap clothes, gossip, and advice on all matters of the heart.

The long
Lamees, Michelle, Gamrah, and Sadeem are a group of young women living in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, with dreams of traveling to new places, achieving their career goals, and finding love. Narrated by an unknown fifth friend who sends weekly messages to a chat room, this book follows the group as they navigate the woes of love and friendship and grapple with the expectations of how women should behave in a patriarchal society. Girls of Riyadh offers an unprecedented look into contemporary Saudi society that challenges stereotypes about the role that women play in it and reveals the eagerness of the younger generation to diverge from the traditions of their ancestors.

To read or not to read?
Readers from around the world can relate to the stories of intercultural and inter religious relations, balancing parental expectations with individual dreams, and navigating young love. The honest and revealing content gives readers the unique opportunity to access an underrepresented perspective on Saudi society.