Woman at Point Zero

By: Nawal El Saadawi

Narrated by: Amira Ghazalla

Bloomsbury presents Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi, read by Amira Ghazalla.

'An unforgettable, unmissable book for the new global feminist.'
The Times

'I think her life has been one long death threat. At a time when nobody else was talking, she spoke the unspeakable' – Margaret Atwood


'All the men I did get to know filled me with but one desire: to lift my hand and bring it smashing down on his face.'

So begins Firdaus's remarkable story of rebellion against a society founded on lies, hypocrisy, brutality and oppression. Born to a peasant family in the Egyptian countryside, Firdaus struggles through childhood, seeking compassion and knowledge in a world which gives her little of either. As she grows up and escapes the fetters of her childhood, each new relationship teaches her a bitter but liberating truth – that the only free people are those who want nothing, fear nothing and hope for nothing.

This classic novel has been an inspiration to countless people across the world. Saadawi's searing indictment of society's brutal treatment of women continues to resonate today.©1975 Nawal El Saadawi (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Beautiful! a must read.

One of the best books I've read. The narrator did an amazing job reading this. Firdaus will remain with me years to come. 🥲

Powerful

It is the most descriptive & realistic compilation of the cycle of violence that is experienced by the female body. It leaves you contemplating the significance of the constructs formed & normalized around us.

Poor production, OK story.

I'm sorry to be cynical, but this story was a let down. In 1985when it was written, I'm sure it was revolutionary and I appreciate the empowering potential it has. It's also very poetically written and the structure has the call backs of verses in a song/poem, which is also admirable. But reading it today, it's "just" another hooker constantly disappointed by all the men in her life, what's new. If it wasn't for the horrible production value (genuinely the recording would skip or repeat sections, and some narrator choices were plain odd too), I would've given it probably four stars for the cultural value alone. But, honestly, if it wasn't for a bookclub, I wouldn't have finished it.

Pointless

I came into reading this book thinking it would be about feminism and uplifting women based a video I saw of the author but by God this book was disappointing. So much rape and sexual assault - it needs a warning . I highly dislike Firdaus even as I pity her life - her life is depressing . This book is disappointing.