Girls of Riyadh

About “Girls of Riyadh”

A 2007 novel by Rajaa al-Sanea tells the story of four young women from the elite classes of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as they navigate love, desire, and Islamic tradition. The book was originally published in Arabic in 2005 and banned in Saudi Arabia due to its controversial content, though it circulated widely through black-market copies. The novel is told through fifty e-mails sent weekly by an anonymous narrator to female subscribers of an online chat group. The four women—Qamra, Michelle, Sadim, and Lamis—deal with their love lives, careers, and small rebellions against cultural traditions. The story takes place in a modern Riyadh where the women encounter Western influences such as "Sex and the City" and dating, leading to ongoing conflicts with traditional values. The novel reflects the changing Arab world and the experiences of modern women caught between ancient customs and global influences.