tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post4603873306747311688..comments2024-03-28T11:57:32.580-06:00Comments on Mysteries and More from Saskatchewan: "F" is for Zoë FerrarisBill Selneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-30648703998928914412012-06-26T23:26:07.164-06:002012-06-26T23:26:07.164-06:00I can't even think much about the prison syste...I can't even think much about the prison system here, the number of people in it, while there aren't enough jobs and education is becoming more of a luxury -- yet more prisons are built.<br /><br />The privatization of prisons is increasing the hardships.<br /><br />Right now, there are several lawsuits against solitary confinement, used in many prisons for long terms.<br /><br />I'll look for your review of City of Veils, and yes, I concur that being a defense attorney in Saudi Arabia may not be much of a career.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-2892783434591315762012-06-26T19:21:07.580-06:002012-06-26T19:21:07.580-06:00kathy d.: Thanks for the comments. I will be looki...kathy d.: Thanks for the comments. I will be looking for City of Veils. I was surprised to learn from a file that debtors in the Middle East can be imprisoned under Sharia law for not paying debts. It does not sound like there is much of a role for defence counsel in Saudi Arabia. In the U.S. I wonder how many people America can put into prison. It is leading the world.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-68010410653205362892012-06-26T02:33:37.172-06:002012-06-26T02:33:37.172-06:00I should qualify my comments about the justice sys...I should qualify my comments about the justice system in the U.S., as I don't agree with the death penalty, life sentences or adult prisons for children, three-strike laws, mandatory sentencing, denial of legal services for poor people, etc.<br /><br />Even so, I was stunned by events in City of Veils.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-2330677718588667712012-06-26T02:29:09.292-06:002012-06-26T02:29:09.292-06:00I read this book and Ferraris' second book set...I read this book and Ferraris' second book set in Saudi Arabia -- City of Veils.<br /><br />That book delves much more into the denial of civil liberties and basic rights to women. Additionally, it delivers some shocking information about the criminal (in)justice system.<br /><br />As an attorney, you would be interested in and probably shocked at the denial of democratic rights to criminal suspects.<br /><br />When I finished reading City of Veils, I thought I lived in an enlightened society in comparison.<br /><br />There are still public beheadings there, for one thing.<br /><br />Women still have no rights. Those who try to drive are arrested. That's just the tip of the iceberg.<br /><br />And the right to object to wages or working conditions? Not really. Or demonstrate? Nope.<br /><br />Interesting the discussion of the burqa. I'd think women should decide that for themselves.<br /><br />In New York, although I've seen many Muslim women wearing head scarvesm long sleeves and often, long jackets or robes, I've never seen anyone fully covered with faces hidden, as a burqa would do.<br /><br />I'd look forward to reading Ferraris' book three, but I had to get some distance after the brutality of City of Veils, especially in the "justice" system.<br /><br />Would like to see your review of it, especially with your legal experience.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-51883081369153155302012-06-25T18:37:15.191-06:002012-06-25T18:37:15.191-06:00Clarissa: Thanks for commenting. You feel you are ...Clarissa: Thanks for commenting. You feel you are in Saudi Arabia while reading the book.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-2174305916693232432012-06-25T18:33:37.477-06:002012-06-25T18:33:37.477-06:00Margot: Thanks for the comment. A century ago I co...Margot: Thanks for the comment. A century ago I could see Ferraris writing memoirs of her adventures in the Middle East.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-3095096871946119482012-06-25T18:31:17.832-06:002012-06-25T18:31:17.832-06:00Maxine: Thanks for the comment. I think you would ...Maxine: Thanks for the comment. I think you would enjoy her books. There are so few Muslims in Saskatchewan I do not see any women wearing the burqa.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-42710157877435216862012-06-25T18:29:44.112-06:002012-06-25T18:29:44.112-06:00Margaret: Thanks for the comment. I was partly dra...Margaret: Thanks for the comment. I was partly drawn to the book by its setting. It is the only mystery I have read that is placed in Saudi Arabia.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-23850845334422416562012-06-25T11:09:20.137-06:002012-06-25T11:09:20.137-06:00An interesting writer. I've never read a book ...An interesting writer. I've never read a book set in Saudia Arabia but her knowledge of the place would make for an interesting read. Thanks for the read.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-65424972730975004742012-06-25T05:27:05.309-06:002012-06-25T05:27:05.309-06:00Bill - Thanks for a really interesting look at Fer...Bill - Thanks for a really interesting look at Ferraris. She's had some fascinating experiences! It's especially interesting to get her perspective on life in the Middle East, having lived there but not been born and raised there. I agree too that <i>Finding Nouf</i> was a well-written and absorbing book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-47278871677411917892012-06-25T03:06:20.209-06:002012-06-25T03:06:20.209-06:00Fascinating post, Bill. I haven't read her boo...Fascinating post, Bill. I haven't read her books but have read many good reviews of them, so hope I will at some point. A lot of people in the UK wear the burka, too, but I presume a lot of muslim women also don't.Maxine Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628509319992204770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-22353185054600227952012-06-25T00:31:59.668-06:002012-06-25T00:31:59.668-06:00Yet again, an author I don't know, and yet aga...Yet again, an author I don't know, and yet again one that interests me. Zoe Ferrais sounds a most interesting writer and with a solid knowledge of her subject. I liked her statement: 'I get to write about Saudi, but I also get to have my characters do things I want them to do, as opposed to everyone just doing what they want to do.'Margaret @ BooksPleasehttp://www.booksplease.orgnoreply@blogger.com