As a little girl, Fatima Mernissi was often puzzled by the idea of the harem: even if you accepted that men and women had to be kept apart, she asked, why could n't it be the women who walked freely in the streets, while the men stayed locked behind the harem gate? In this book she weaves an evocative tale of her childhood in a Fez harem in the 1940s, a period of social transition in Morocco. Yasmina, Fatima's grandmother, was one of nine co-wives. She had the freedom to ride horses out and about on her husband's farm and ...
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As a little girl, Fatima Mernissi was often puzzled by the idea of the harem: even if you accepted that men and women had to be kept apart, she asked, why could n't it be the women who walked freely in the streets, while the men stayed locked behind the harem gate? In this book she weaves an evocative tale of her childhood in a Fez harem in the 1940s, a period of social transition in Morocco. Yasmina, Fatima's grandmother, was one of nine co-wives. She had the freedom to ride horses out and about on her husband's farm and in the surrounding countryside, but she carried around within her the hudud, or sacred frontier, that separates women from men. Fatima's mother was an only wife, but she lived with the other women of her extended family inside an enclosed courtyard in the city, guarded by a gatekeeper whose sole duty it was to keep the women from going out in the street. Forced into seclusion, they re-created an imaginary world of their own, where enchanted princesses and adventurous winged women appeared on the terrace, in Aunt Habiba's tales and in Cousin Chama's improvised theatre. But Fatima was allowed out to cross the tiny street between the harem and the girl's school built by the nationalists fighting French colonization; and she grew to confuse living with trespassing, and freedom with communicating. In this book, the author casts an eye on the roles assigned to women and men by traditional Muslim society. She also shows the intimacy and riotous sense of fun that can unite women in an enclosed community in her memoir. Other work by the author includes "Islam and Democracy", "The Veil and the Male Elite" and "Beyond the Veil".
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Publisher:
Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
Published:
09/07/1995
Alibris ID:
18062390854
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner.
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Seller's Description:
Good. No jacket, clippings stapled to ffep. Light wear & bumps to hardcover. Faint marks to textblock edge. Content is in very good, clean condition. 264 p.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Publisher:
Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
Published:
1995
Alibris ID:
18114331047
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Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Publisher:
Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
Published:
09/07/1995
Alibris ID:
17982120763
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Publisher:
Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
Published:
09/01/1995
Alibris ID:
17982616550
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Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
