Download Mother Without a Mask Patricia Holton 9781860630682 Books

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Product details Paperback 278 pages Publisher Motivate Publishing (1991) Language English ISBN-10 1860630685

Mother Without a Mask Patricia Holton 9781860630682 Books Reviews

• It is rather more "used" than "in perfect conditions" but its fine! ) I will start reading it this week.
• I originally read this in 2001 and gave it just two stars. I found it boring, and only the details of the wedding really interested me. I recently re-read it, reluctantly, for a book group, and I was surprised to discover a fascinating account of a bye-gone era.
  
  Patricia Holton's husband had business with the United Arab Emirates in the 1970s. As a result of this, Patricia agrees to host the two younger sons of an Emirati Sheikh, while they do their university courses in the UK. She helps them to acclimatise to life in England and is curious about the country they have left. Over many breakfasts and suppers, they teach each other and compare cultural differences.
  
  Eventually Patricia, now known as Mrs Tea Cup by the boys, is invited to Al Ain, an oasis area of Abu Dhabi, as guest to the family. She begins her visits in a hotel, but as they all get to know each other better, she is invited to their homes, and finally absorbed into the family, particularly by the women.
  
  The book provides a wonderful cultural window into a time that is now largely passed. These women were the last of a generation that has since been swamped by oil wealth and tourism. Ms Holton is sad to see this era pass, but rather repetitive with her comments to this effect. However, her observations of family life do provide a rare insight into the traditions of the modern day Emiratis.
  
  I originally came to the Emirates in 1984 and I remember the old Buraimi part of Al Ain; now fenced off from the Emirates as it is actually part of Oman. Old houses can still be found from this time and it is fascinating to imagine how the much simpler life of these people went on in those, now crumbling, houses.
  
  Apart from the frequent comments bemoaning the end of an era, my other criticism would be a feeling that this is a slightly sanitised version. I sense that the author is being very respectful to her hosts and only writing what they wish her to.
  Strangely, while many of the women are named, I can't think of a time when the two boys or their father, are actually called by their names, they are always known as The Second Son, The Youngest Son and The Sheikh.
  
  This is well worth reading if you are living in the UAE and has also been enjoyed by several of our visitors to the area.
• i found this book in a small bookstore in UAE, and fell in love with it, the author portrays the changing lives of a country on the brink of major developments, she came to know the royal family there when this little known country, United Arab Emirates was just starting to make a name for itself. as a friend of the royal family,also, i was very happy to see them portrayed as they should be, warm, family people with all the wealth in the world, but only interested in maintaining their cultural and familial ties as much as possible.as an introduction to the UAE it is heart felt and genuine, i wish they would keep it in stock for others to read, a great great book!
• I just finished reading my copy of Mother Without A Mask not more than 10 minutes ago. I picked up the book for something to read at one of the hotels in Dubai and little did I know what an incredible treasure I had stumbled across.
  I was absolutely captivated by Patricia's descriptions of her life with her Arab family. Their homes, their meals, their weddings, their life style in general. And I am in awe of her ability to blend with her extended family and yet still keep her individuality. Mrs. Tea Cup had such an incredibly open mind and open heart as she experienced life in a world so foreign to us westerner's.
  I had the opportunity to spend 4 months working in the middle east this year. My only regret, with regard to this book, is that I did not find it and read it at the start of my work term in the Middle East. There were so many gems of knowledge in Patricia's writings that I could have benefitted from. And I have so many questions that I would love to discuss with my middle eastern co-workers who were always eager to share information about their way of life.
  I know I will read this book many many more times and it will be one of my most treasured pieces of literature. Thank you, Mrs. Tea Cup, for the dedication and determination that it took to write this book and for educating us on a world that is so tragically misunderstood.
• Having lived in the region, I was curious to see what insights this woman would give me. I got MANY! She is not looking at the Gulf Arabs through rose-colored glasses and she is neither condemning nor sanctifying their lives. Rather, she is sharing her close insight into a world few westerners really see. I feel I need to comment on another review here that condemns the writer for bowing to her hosts when they doubt the truth of man having landed on the moon... she has obviously not understood the book at all ... I find doubting something you have seen on TV as healthy, and if she read the book through, she would find that views on this subject changed. I definitely recommend this book to anyone (male or female) who is planning to spend time with Gulf Arabs - and others interested in the Arab and Muslim cultures.
• I thought it a fascinating glimpse into the masked women of Abu Dhabi in the 70's /80's and the seismic changes in their lives and cultures with King Oil. She captured a vision of a world no longer in existence. Highly recommend for anyone interested in this culture
• I agree with the others who reviewed this book, except of course the person who said the author "folded like a deck of cards" when she disagreed with her hosts. Too bad this person didn't understand the author's message here! This was a wonderful, fascinating and rare book. I have been to the Gulf many times because I have family in Kuwait. So many times I have looked down on the veiled women that I've seen. Only now do have some understanding of these women; my attitude has changed since reading this book. I have always been curious about the true lives of Gulf Arabs, and only a Westerner who has lived with a family the way Mrs. Holton did could really explain these things to a curious bystander. A wonderful book!