Nawal El Saadawi

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CRITICISM

Amireh, Amal. “Framing Nawal El Saadawi: Arab Feminism in a Transnational World.” Signs 26, no. 1 (autumn 2000): 215-49.

Analyzes the differences between the aims of El Saadawi's writing and Western interpretation of her works, asserting that Western opinions of Arabs are clouded by stereotypes and unfamiliarity.

Darraj, Susan Mauddi. “‘We All Want the Same Things Basically’: Feminism in Arab Women's Literature.” Women and Language 26, no. 1 (spring 2003): 79-82.

Examines women's issues within a global context, detailing the different agendas and definitions of feminism among various Middle Eastern cultures.

Darwish, Adel. “A Rebel without a Pause.” Middle East, no. 314 (July/August 2001): 11-13.

Examines lawsuit brought against El Saadawi forcing annulment of her marriage on the grounds that she is dangerous to her husband's relationship with God, and discusses her earlier legal issues.

Davis, Dick. “Murder as a Metaphor.” Times Literary Supplement, no. 4691 (26 February 1993): 21.

Proposes that the novels The Well of Life and The Thread are products of a regional genre akin to the magic realism trend in Latin America, and that the works highlight gender-based injustices through fables.

Jacoby, Susan. “Nawal El Saadawi: A Woman Who Broke the Silence.” Washington Post Book World (27 November 1994): 3, 10.

Investigates the recurring themes of patriarchal oppression and the political silencing of women in Memoirs from the Women's Prison and The Innocence of the Devil.

MacLeod, Sheila. “Battlefields of the World.” New Statesman 110, no. 2834 (12 July 1985): 27.

Provides a positive assessment of Two Women in One.

McNeil, Jean. “Honor Intact.” Times Literary Supplement, no. 4753 (6 May 1994): 21.

Describes The Innocence of the Devil as a thematic allegory of man's domination over women.

Roe, Sue. “Living Life and Living Death.” Times Literary Supplement, no. 4525 (22 December 1989): 1421.

Provides discussion of the overwhelming odds faced by the protagonist in The Circling Song.

El Saadawi, Nawal, and Melissa Benn. “Veils East and West.” New Statesman & Society 5, no. 223 (9 October 1992): 19.

Provides discussion of the political aspects and consequences of El Saadawi's work for women's rights.

Williams, Elaine. “Angel and Demon.” Times Literary Supplement, no. 4447 (24-30 June 1988): 698.

Asserts that Assia Djebar's A Sister to Scheherazade and El Saadawi's The Fall of the Imam contain similar themes and symbolism, but finds Djebar's work more readable and El Saadawi's overly critical of Islamic men and Middle Eastern culture.

Additional coverage of El Saadawi's life and career is contained in the following sources published by Thomson Gale: Contemporary Authors, Vol. 118; Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series, Vol. 11; Contemporary Authors New Revision Series, Vols. 44, 92; and Literature Resource Center.

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