Good book about the topic. Would recommend to everyone.

This book was originally published in 1965, and is still in print. Many university students continue to study this book in anthropology courses. It is important to consider the time frame in which this book was written. Elizabeth Warnock Fernea traveled and lived in a small Iraqi village for two years with her anthropologist husband in the late 1950's. Her observations and experiences are the basis for this book.

My sensibilities were challenged early on, in the intro, as the author stated that all names had been changed, but she was fairly certain no one featured in this book would ever read her account, despite the fact that she was acquainted with several literate women in the village. The book then listed the "Cast of Characters", (a culturally insensitive phrase), which enumerated the people of the village and their occupation/kinship relation. However, once one begins to read deeper into the book, it is apparent that Fernea was ahead of her time, as she helps the western reader understand the culture,history, and traditions of this Iraqi village in the 1950's.

The women of the village, with their strong ties and supportive networks, felt sorry for the American woman who lived among them with no mother or children. In their culture, to be lonely and without kin was a most unfortunate fate. They take in Fernea and befriend her, which opens the door for understanding that this novel presents.

Factual but not boring. But... I didn't finish it.

Fascinating, though it made me wonder if there's a more current book like this. (It's about her experiences in 1957-1958)

This book was read for my Anthropology class, but it was a fabulous read. Went quickly, and just fascinating.