Memoirs of a Woman Doctor

by Nawal El Saadawi

Book Overview

Rebelling against the contraints of family and society, a young Egyptian woman decides to study medicine, becoming the only woman in a class of men. Her encounters with the other students mdash; as well as the male and female corpses in the autopsy room--intensify her dissatisfaction with and search for identity. She realizes men are not gods as her mother had taught her, that science cannot explain everything, and that she cannot be satisfied...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0872862232
• ISBN13: 9780872862234
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: City Lights Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

every woman should read this book

This author meant to make a change in the lives of women in the middle east. This book is a wake-up call to all women all over the world. it is not only for middle east women. You will understand how men think through this book written by this pioneer psychologist.

The Heart of a Frustrated Woman

In most societies in this world, it is a positive to be born a man. Being born a man will automatically give a person more chances in life than being a woman. 'Memoirs of a Woman Doctor' is the story of an Egyptian girl planning to become a doctor. She lives in a society where a woman's chances of climbing the socio-economic ladder are slim to none. Being the only woman in her medical school, she constantly tries to denegrate men and sometimes scolds humanity in general. She feels men are not the "Gods" that her mother thought they were. She tries to rationalize humanity, saying they are no better than animals. In all this time, she seems to have no attachment to humanity; all she seems to care about are her studies and her career. The ending of the book can be interperted in two ways. Some will feel it is a cop out (like I did) and others will feel she learned a very important lesson about this life. Nonetheless, it is a facinating read into the heart and mind of a smart, but frustrated woman living in a socitey dominated my males.

a strike against sexism

This is a heart rending book as one reads about the sexism that pervades Middle Eastern culture. el Saadawi is a courageous woman who dared to fight against the system. This book was no doubt a great controversy in her homeland of Egypt and quite possibly still is. The autobiographical tones are apparent which makes it an ever sadder tale. Freedom as she argues should exist for all--both men and women. The way her upbringing taught her to feel ashamed and inferior is horrible. But it is equally inspiring that she had the courage and fortitude to triumph over these overwhelming odds. Occasionally humanity does rise above the ugliness. This is one such triumph. It is poigant but also a worthwhile read.

A penetrating read

A short novel on an Egyptian woman defying odds, going against family and culture in order to seek truth and equality in her life. Somewhat like Hermen Hesse's Siddhartha, but in a more realistic, modern day setting.