Looooooved this book. The author was so respectful and curious, while also being honest about the aspects of Iraqi village/tribal culture that were hard for her to adjust to. I loved the perspective of an outsider trying to immerse herself in a world that was so different than her own.

A thorough and honest enthnography, that describes assimilation into a new culture in every way.

This was a re-read for me, and I am so glad I read it again, I had forgotten so much. Elizabeth and her husband Bob move to an Iraqi village, soon after they are married so that Bob can do some research for his Doctorate. They have been invited to live in the compound of the local Sheik in El-Nahra. Although they will be living in a small guest house, most of their time will be spent separated during the day; Bob with the men, Elizabeth with the women. The Sheik's family live in the strict Shiite way. This is basically Elizabeth's memoir of their time in the village, but I would have loved to have heard more of Bob's side. It is dated, the book took place in 1957-58, and it was printed in 1965. Overall, I felt this was a good view into the lives of rural Iraqi village.

Read while I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Lovely insight into another culture.

I am apparently in the minority with regards to my opinion on this book. I just couldn't get through it. It took me weeks to read the first 188 pages and after that I gave in and quit.

A "modern," "educated" American woman moves to pre-revolutionary Iraq to learn about tribal village life. But to the women of the village, she is not a liberator. She is an object of their pity and compassion, a girl far from home who needs friends. This book is a brilliantly written story of two cultures colliding, an eloquent defense of cultural diversity, and a warning against imperialism. Better yet, it’s fun to read.

Warnock-Fernea creates a story that represents the best of what anthropology can do—its subjects, although presented evenhandedly, spring to life from the page, inviting the reader to feel their emotions, to empathize with their struggles, and to rejoice in their triumphs. Most important of all, especially given the extreme cultural sensitivity of the issues which this book addresses, Fernea approaches Iraqi culture with humility and respect.

Bonus: This book is also a good introduction to Shia Islam, and also hints at why America might have lost a war in Iraq many decades later.

As a recent Anthropology Graduate, I bought this book because I was looking for an ethnography to read. I was both pleasantly surprised and disappointed when I finished this book. I liked that it was not a clinical regular ethnography, like others that I have read in the past. What I did not enjoy is the lack of Anthropology within the book. The terms were missing, the rigour of fieldwork was absent. I understand that Elizabeth is not an Anthropologist however I was still optimistic there would be the backbones of a proper ethnography present. It is a good story, that can get dry in sections. During these sections I found myself skimming and not actually reading. I liked the book, but I wanted more from it.

I read this in college and I loved it so much I read it again years later. It holds up wonderfully. Granted, this is an ethnography and geared towards a particular audience. Still if you're looking for a book that describes Iraq before the rise of Saddam Hussein, look no further!

Aww, this book is so great! It's the account of one American woman who spent a few years living in a small rural Iraqi village. She wears the abayah and becomes friends with the women of the village. Learns that, instead of envying her freedoms the women pity her for being skinny, childless, living with just
her husband, and lack of golden jewelry. Really generous and thoughtful book.