Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

thank you for your support.
We are hopeful that Princess Sultana’s true story will touch your
heart. There are two other books about Princess Sultana, titled:
Princess Sultana’s Daughters and Princess Sultana’s Circle, Books
II and III of The Princess Trilogy. Princess Sultana’s Daughters
will be released in digital by February 2010. Princess Sultana’s
Circle will be released in digital by April 2010. Additionally, a
new chapter has been included in Princess Sultana’s Circle, a
chapter that details what has happened to Princess Sultana and her
family since 2004. We hope that you continue to follow Princess
Sultana’s life.
    Our goal remains that all women of the world
might live in dignity and in peace,
    Princess Sultana Al-Sa’ud and Jean Sasson
     

 
    Reading Guide and Discussion Questions
    1. In the introduction to Princess, Sultana
tells the reader that, “It is wrong, however, to blame our Muslim
faith for the lowly position of women in our society.” Why do you
think both the author and Princess Sultana make repeated assertions
about the poor treatment of women not being a result of Islam?
    2. In what ways, if any, did the historical
foundation of Saudi Arabia and the growth of the Al Saud family
help form Saudi society and culture?
    3. In “Childhood”, Sultana describes some of
her childhood interactions with her brother Ali and other members
of her family. In what ways was her childhood similar or different
to your own? Do you believe that Sultana’s culture has a large
effect on her interactions with her family?
    4. In “Family,” Sultana describes how the
education of girls is viewed in Saudi culture. Do you think
education is an important factor in determining the roles and/or
rights of women in Saudi or any other society? Explain.
    5. Sultana and her family live very
extravagantly due to their immense wealth. How does this compare to
your lifestyle? For Sultana and her family, does wealth lead to
happiness? How do her living arrangements mirror her life?
    6. As a child, Sultana has very fierce anger
towards Ali. Do you think her anger is justified? Why or why not?
Do these feelings go beyond typical sibling rivalry?
    7. “My Sister Sara” shows the reader the
changing relationship between Sultana and Sara. “Sara had been
veiling since her menses, two years earlier. The veil stamped her
as a non-person, and she soon ceased to speak of her childhood
dreams of great accomplishment. She became distant from me, her
younger sister who was as yet unconcerned with the institution of
veiling. The sharpening of Sara’s distance left me longing for the
remembered happiness of our shared childhood.” Has there ever been
a time when you felt a distance growing between you and a close
family member? Does Sultana and Sara’s culture accentuate the
distance between the two in adolescence? How?
    8. Sultana continues, “It suddenly became
apparent to me the happiness is realized only in the face of
unhappiness, for I never know we were so happy until Sara’s
unhappiness stared me in the face.” What are the sources of Sara’s
unhappiness?
    9. Sultana and Sara’s mother expresses sorrow
for Sara’s situation upon the announcement of Sara’s marriage yet
is not a position to change her daughter’s future. How does their
mother try to juggle her role of trying to comfort her daughter
while trying to prepare her for the inevitable? Does her mother
realistically have any other choices?
    10. What does Sara hope to have her father
understand by using the quote, “Victory breeds hatred, for only the
conquered are unhappy.”? How can this quote be applied beyond Sara
to all of Saudi society for both men and women?
    11. Why do you think Sara did not bring her
belongings with her in marriage? Why do you think Sultana takes a
new interest in Sara’s possessions?
    12. Sara takes drastic measures to attempt
escape from her miserable circumstances. Do you think this was the
only way out for her? Explain.
    13. How does Sultana and Sara’s mother break
cultural norms when she stands up to Sara’s mother-in-law? How
might this change Sultana’s view of her mother and women in
general?
    14. How is marriage viewed in Saudi culture?
Who is in control? How does this compare to your own culture?
    15. Saudi Arabia is a theocracy, or a country
whose laws are tied directly to the predominant faith. How does
this give the Mutawas power? How does this differ from countries
that where the laws are not tied