When Jillian Schedneck takes up a position teaching English to a classroom of UAE students in Abu Dhabi, she is young, idealistic, in love, and ready to take on the world. But it is not exactly what she anticipated: her mostly female students are only attending university as a token distraction from what will become a life spent attending to domestic duties, and Jillian struggles with the limitations to their futures that they seem to so readily accept.
Facing the contradicting culture of extreme wealth and luxury, but little real opportunity, Jillian finds herself deeply intrigued by the women of the UAE. As she negotiates her way around classrooms of unlikely students, they start to come alive as Jillian introduces them to writers such as Virginia Woolf, and poses questions about feminism. But she is not only opening up a new world to them. She also finds her own cultural assumptions being challenged, and begins to realise how much her time in these desert cities have shaped the woman she will become.
Reminiscent of Nine Parts of Desire and Reading Lolita in Tehran, this compelling memoir announces the arrival of an exciting new writer.
Reviews:
The story is consistently compelling, and the way in which Schedneck openly weaves her personal experiences and her insightful observations, works perfectly. Seattle Post
Some travel memoirs focus squarely on the place itself. Schedneck does a deft job in often-elegant prose of comparing and contrasting the more conservative Abu Dhabi – ”the man behind the curtain” – with Dubai – ”the Wizard of Oz”. The Sydney Morning Herald
I love books like this – the author tells her story in such a captivating and honest way that you can’t help but get pulled in, yet at the same time, she helps us to learn more about the Emirati cultures. Once I started reading this book, I just couldn’t put it down! Amazon UK review
This book is a must read!!! A page turning story that takes the reader through an emotional journey and teaches you about the Emirati people, their culture, and the challenges and adventures they face on an everyday basis. The descriptive narrative allows you to connect with all of the characters, as well as the author as she embarks on her owm emotional journey. I was looking for a book for vacation that would captivate me and keep my attention, and I found the perfect one! Amazon US review
An excellent read that I could not put down. The author’s blending of her personal story, description of place and characters, and information about the country was beautifully woven. I highly recommend this book. Barnes and Noble review