Nine Parts of Desire

The Hidden World of Islamic Women

By: Geraldine Brooks

Narrated by: Geraldine Brooks

Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women is the story of Brooks’ intrepid journey toward an understanding of the women behind the veils, and of the often contradictory political, religious, and cultural forces that shape their lives. In fundamentalist Iran, Brooks finagles an invitation to tea with the ayatollah’s widow—and discovers that Mrs. Khomeini dyes her hair.

In Saudi Arabia, she eludes the severe segregation of the sexes and attends a bacchanal, laying bare the hypocrisy of this austere, male-dominated society. In war-torn Ethiopia, she watches as a female gynecologist repairs women who have undergone genital mutilation justified by a distorted interpretation of Islam.

In villages and capitals throughout the Middle East, she finds that a feminism of sorts has flowered under the forbidding shroud of the chador as she makes other startling discoveries that defy our stereotypes about the Muslim world. Nine Parts of Desire is much more than a captivating work of firsthand reportage; it is also an acute analysis of the world’s fastest-growing religion, deftly illustrating how Islam’s holiest texts have been misused to justify the repression of women. It was, after all, the Shiite leader Ali who proclaimed that “God created sexual desire in ten parts, then gave nine parts to women.”

©1995 Copyright © Geraldine Brooks 1995, 2008, 2011. (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

“Frank, enraging, and captivating.” ( The New Yorker)

“Powerful and enlightening...Brooks presents stunning vignettes of Muslim women...and carefully distinguishes misogyny and oppressive cultural traditions from what she considers the true teachings of the Koran.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“There has been nothing finer on the subject from a Western observer...she looks at it from the heart...mixing historical perspective with piercingly observed journalism.” ( Newsday)

I would read this again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

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Any additional comments?

I love Geraldine Brooks. I read "Year of Wonders" and was hooked on this author. She is also the narrator in that book as well. Geraldine is a superb author and, quite frankly, her voice soothes me. It does. I learned much about Islam and the dark under belly of that religion, but also the lives of women in the Middle East. Geraldine is my favorite author to day

A good read

A glimpse into a world where few foreigners get a chance to experience. Touching in places and horrific in others. A definite conversation starter.

Engaging and informative

The narrators voice is very engaging and I was led onward into the story because of her cadence and tone.

The stories were troublesome and enlightening throughout the entire book! I am looking forward to listening to this non-fiction publication and have recommended it to numerous women friends!
Thank you so much for such a thorough book for those of us who see this topic as an unknown territory. I think those who do know it will find it extremely informative as well!

Auto-ethnography and good research

Would you listen to Nine Parts of Desire again? Why?

I've listened to this book several times and found something new in each re-telling. It's powerful because much of the book is drawn from Ms Brooks' own experience, then it's coupled with some excellent research of the context. So the book has strong credibility. She's not judgemental in the telling - it's a finely drawn balance of experience, what others say, her opinion, and giving the other side of the story. Well done on this one!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nine Parts of Desire?

The discussion about female genital mutilation, the clear assertion that this has nothing to do with Islam (which I knew - it's also practiced in other communities, includeing some christian communities; it's more a cultural practice). But it was Ms Brooks' lived experience in many islamic countries that makes the book memorable. Her descriptions of the 'unveiling' of women - their private lives.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found I wanted to tap into this book at intervals. It was thought-provoking, so needed some 'soak time' to enable me to digest the messages.

Any additional comments?

Good on Ms Brooks reading her own book. Given it's her story that's appropriate. She's not the best narrator in the universe, but does a very reasonable job. Knowing it was her voice delivering her story and her message gives the book additional credibility in this audio version.

A good book badly read.

I am very curious about the lives of women in Islamic countries, that's why I bought this book but I got somehow lost among so many names and other unimportant information that permeates the narrative of very interesting facts. In my opinion, although the overall review of the book is good, Ms Brooks's reading is really discouraging! She reads in a very monotonous voice and doesn't pronounce the whole sentences in a clear and vivid way, as it should be to grasp the listener's attention. She reads her own book as if she was tired and bored of it. This book deserved a better performance.

Very informative

The author seems to try to write objectively and I appreciate that. She has lots of personal experience which adds so much to this. This should be required reading for any woman moving to the Middle East.

excellent, thought-provoking

I wasn't sure about this book when my Book Club chose it, but I am glad and more knowledgeable now after reading it!

As an Iranian woman born a few years after the revolution

I have read this book with skepticism. A book that tells the story of women in countries like my homeland, written 2 decades ago can be damaging to the image of the people of these countries. But I should say the book was fair, and true to the parts I could judge. I loved her narration and her perspective.

I fell asleep repeatedly while listening

This did provide important glimpses into how women in Middle Eastern countries were living 20 years ago. But somehow I found it hard to stay focused while listening.

Well worth your time

Geraldine spent many years living in the middle east meeting with the important men of the day and many of their wives or widows as well as the everyday women in all walks of life. She goes back to the Qumran and compares what it says with the various practices in countries. She follows successful women who take the veil as well as other women trying to throw it off.
It has been updated and she discusses the trend toward conservative thought.