HOUGH DAUGHTERS OF Arabia is an extension of Jean Sasson’s earlier book, Tthe author maintains the same thematic issues delving on the status of women in Saudi Arabia. This book revolves around the children of the Princess, especially her two teenage daughters and their
contrasting personalities.

This is the story of Maha and Amani, Sultana's and Kareem's teenage daughters who respond to the strict and oppressive customs of the land in their own ways. One becomes a big religious fanatic and other suffers a mental breakdown. Amani is a religious fanatic and conservative while Maha has a totally different personality. She is desperate and seeks to gain her independence in the extremely conservative and male dominated society. She wants to work for the upliftment of women in her country and is rebellious in nature. A gay in her adolescence, the contrasting personalities of the two daughters sparks tension and conflicts. Princess is left mulling how to raise her daughters and often shows her weariness. Sultana's
eldest child, a son, is compassionate and just as liberated as his mother.

This book highlights the psychological problems of Arabian women. There are cases of mental
instability - breakdown and other related issues among women. The reasons being the restrictive environment they live in. Women are treated objects and do not command any respect. They are more or less treated like second class citizens. The upper section of the society is not an exception. Men use religion to justify all sorts of scandalous crimes against women. This is a country that regards wealth and physical attributes as the most important things in life and women are used as property to gain social and economic power as the Princess Sultana narrates to the author.

While reading this book, I came across the concept of strict religious police, known as Mutawain in Saudi Arabia. They are religious fanatics, who are determined to keep the people socially backward, illiterate and lead them to live in fear. Through public beatings and forms of other torture, the powerful Mutawain serve to dominate the general public. Their violations of human rights inspire fear and prevent the educated moderates from speaking out. Those who do speak out, even children, end up as prisoners in Saudi jails, are executed, subjected to torture, banned or fired from their jobs. Their only mistake being the attempts to exercise freedom, something which is a crime in the country.

Jean Sasson’s books are banned in Saudi Arabia but remain some of the leading bestsellers in the world. The story is nicely narrated by the author. These books leave one in depressed state of mind. After going through these books, I strongly recommend them to all readers. The books not only serve to entertain but help one gain an understanding of the condition and the status of human beings in oppressive societies.