Read in December 2006 to January 2007.This is the story of a woman who lived in an Iraqi village for just about two years in the 1950s. She was accompanying her husband who was a sociologist. The story goes from the initial arrival to eventual deep and meaningful friendship between the women in the village and Fornea.
The book is well written with each chapter discussing an event during the two years. Fornea does a good job of describing what she sees around her without passing judgment on its foreign nature. The detail is appropriately provided and never repeated – to keep from making the similar seem mundane.
I would like to think this book was eye-opening, and I think it would be if it was about modern times. It is interesting to read about how tribal/rural/simple the life was in parts of Iraq in the 1950s, but it hardly makes things eye-opening. I think about what life in the US was like back then (what I’ve read about it).
The most fascinating part of this book is regarding the supposed lack of power in the family that the women possess. In reality, the women use crafty techniquest to manipulate their husbands. Reading the book for these subtle but effective ways to get what you want in an unbalanced relationship is worth it.
I recommend this book if you are interested in finding out what life in a southern Iraqi village was like in the 1950s.
Read more about it from Amazon.com.
