'Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women' by Geraldine Brooks provides a deep and personal look into the lives of Islamic women from different countries and regimes. Brooks, a journalist, delves into the hidden and often surprising world of Muslim women, exploring issues such as the treatment of women in Islamic societies, the interpretation of the Quran, and the various cultural practices that shape the lives of these women. Through her experiences and interviews, Brooks offers a full and balanced spectrum of information, shedding light on the complexities of the intersection between culture, religion, and human rights in the Islamic world.

Brooks' writing style in 'Nine Parts of Desire' is laconic and well-written, managing to disseminate a torrent of information within its relatively short length of 289 pages. She presents a fascinating perspective on women in Islam, drawing from her experiences as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East and weaving together personal accounts, interviews, and historical insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Muslim women in various countries.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is engaging, adopting a memoir-like style that blends personal experiences with informative content.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around the author's exploration of the lives of Islamic women, delving into their personal stories and the socio-political contexts affecting them.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in the Middle East, with a focus on various countries where the author engaged with local women and cultures.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the book, balancing between intimate narratives and broader examinations of cultural contexts.

As the bus full of women inched and squealed its slow way through Tehran traffic toward Khomeini’s home, I was the only one aboard who wasn’t weeping. We eased to a stop beside a black-bannered alley....

Genres:

Topics:

Notes:

Geraldine Brooks wrote 'Nine Parts of Desire' based on her experiences as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East.

The book focuses on the lives of Islamic women and explores cultural, political, and religious influences on their lives.

Brooks uses first-person narratives, sharing her own reflections and experiences with women from various Islamic countries.

She discusses many topics, including marriage, motherhood, education, and gender relations, revealing the complexities of women's lives under Islamic law.

One significant story featured is about Asya, a young woman from Gaza navigating societal expectations while seeking intellectual companionship.

Brooks argues that while the Quran provides certain rights for women, various cultural interpretations often suppress those rights.

The book includes critiques of how Islamic fundamentalism has impacted women's rights over time, often worsening their situation instead of improving it.

Brooks points out fundamental issues, such as honor killings and forced marriages, that stem from extreme interpretations of Islam.

She highlights the paradox where some women embrace oppressive practices while others resist them, reflecting diverse experiences within Islamic cultures.

The narrative is structured in a way that mixes personal anecdotes with broader historical and sociopolitical context, making it both compelling and informative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include discussions of misogyny, violence against women, honor killings, and practices like genital mutilation.

From The Publisher:

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER - Pulitzer Prize winning author presents the stories of a wide range of Muslim women in the Middle East. As an Australian American and an experienced foreign correspondent, Brooks' thoughtful analysis attempts to understand the precarious status of women in the wake of Islamic fundamentalism.

"Frank, enraging, and captivating." - The New York Times

Nine Parts of Desire is the story of Brooks' intrepid journey toward an understanding of the women behind the veils, and of the often contradictory political, religious, and cultural forces that shape their lives. Defying our stereotypes about the Muslim world, Brooks' acute analysis of the world's fastest growing religion deftly illustrates how Islam's holiest texts have been misused to justify repression of women, and how male pride and power have warped the original message of a once liberating faith.

As a prizewinning foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, Geraldine Brooks spent six years covering the Middle East through wars, insurrections, and the volcanic upheaval of resurgent fundamentalism. Yet for her, headline events were only the backdrop to a less obvious but more enduring drama: the daily life of Muslim women.

Reader Stats (2):

Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women?

About the Author:

Geraldine Brooks is the author of four novels, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Marchand the international bestsellers Caleb's Crossing, People of the Book, and Year of Wonders. She has also written the acclaimed nonfiction works Nine Parts of Desire and Foreign Correspondence. Her most recent novel, Caleb's Crossing, was the winner of the New England Book Award for Fiction and the Christianity TodayBook Award, and was a finalist for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction. Born and raised in Australia, she lives on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, the author Tony Horwitz. This is her first book.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women

Geraldine Brooks