Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95208 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-15
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Synopsis
Lydia Laube set off in search of adventure, to work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. She found herself embroiled in a society that did not allow women to drive, vote, or speak to a man alone. As soon as she stepped off the aeroplane, Lydia's passport was confiscated. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a country with no means of escape. Lydia showed incredible strength of character in her determination to fulfil her year-long contract. Wearing head-to-toe coverings in stifling heat, and battling against unfathomable bureaucracy, Lydia maintained her sanity and finally got her passport back. Behind the Veil is the entertaining account of an Australian woman's resolve to survive in the hostile environment of a Saudi Arabian hospital. 'Laube is a human dynamo. Her writing has a chatty, witty, over-the-fence feel about it, and her books can be read in a few hours, such is their deceptive magnetism.' - West Australian

Customer Reviews

unrealistic
I agree with the previous review by D Morgan. I too have worked for several years in Riyadh, and whilst there are more restrictions that the West, have generally found the whole experience positive. This book makes an interesting story, but is totally unrealistic. If Ms Laube had spent any time in Saudi Arabia, she would realise, for example, that Ramadan does not fall in March every year, the Hejri calendar being 11 days shorter that the Gregorian calendar.
I certainly would not recommend using this book as a 'knowledge base' for those considering working in the Middle East.

A first rate first hand account
Lydia Laube's book offers an affectionate, realistic, funny and well told account of her time nursing in Saudi. Her amusing stories of bureaucracy, conservatism about the role of women are all told without political motive: she tells it as she sees it. She's not trying to make a political point but rather to paint an entertaining picture of her experiences in Saudi; her affection for many of the Saudi people she met is evident, as is her professionalism and commitment to her patients.

Dull
Seems to me the Author just went with moment where a lot of the media is bias against anything "Non-Western".

This books seems to be to Bias, with any lack of Knowledge and understanding of Arab People, Muslim People or even Non - Caucasians !

an element of prejudice is in this book which makes it an uncanny read.