Plot Summary

Girls of Riyadh

Rajaa Alsanea
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Girls of Riyadh

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

Book Brief

Rajaa Alsanea

Girls of Riyadh

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

286

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea tells the story of four young women in Saudi Arabia navigating love and societal constraints. Gamrah, Sadeem, Michelle, and Lamees face cultural and personal challenges in their pursuit of happiness. The unnamed narrator shares their stories through a weekly newsletter, revealing their struggles and resilience without compromising their heritage.

Informative

Emotional

Romantic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.7

21,090 ratings

44%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of four Saudi women navigating love, tradition, and modernity. Praised for its candid portrayal of a cloistered society and its engaging narrative style, the novel also faces criticism for occasionally veering into stereotypes and lacking depth in character development. MLA

Who should read this

Who Should Read Girls of Riyadh?

Readers who enjoy works like Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi will be captivated by Rajaa Alsanea's Girls of Riyadh. This novel’s candid exploration of love, friendship, and societal expectations in Saudi Arabia resonates with those interested in contemporary women's issues, cultural insights, and modern storytelling.

3.7

21,090 ratings

44%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

286

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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