Description
Escaping the Twilight is the coming-of-age story of Amina, a Sudanese girl who undergoes female circumcision at the age of nine. Intensifying her struggle for identity in the silent world of women, she cannot erase the pain and humiliation of that experience. With steely determination, she vows to do whatever is necessary to prevent her daughter from suffering the same demoralizing fate–even if it means going against the wishes of her husband and the rules of her family. The detailed descriptions of customs and lifestyle give a deep, fascinating insight into the Sudanese culture, as well as entry into the cloaked world of Muslim women.
Edition: First edition
Publish date: May 1, 2005
Print length: 226 pages (paperback)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0972653554
ISBN-13: 978-0972653558
Weight: 11.2 ounces
Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.64 x 9.02 inches
Darlene Harrell –
A must read
This story was so well written and so riveting I could not put it down. It was hard for me to remember that this was a work of fiction and not an auto-biography. I felt like I knew the main character and mourned with her for the unjust treatment the woman of the Sudan receive in life. This book is a must read for any woman (or man) who cares for the plight of their sisters who are still held in bondage and treated as though they do not count in this world.
SPife4 –
I was hooked!
I took a Cultural Anthropology course recently, and found the subject quite boring and uninteresting. During the course, I was shocked to learn about female circumcision (AKA genital mutilation) and other poor treatment of females in other societies. It’s a whole different world in those small, out of the way communities, and although I do not agree with their traditions, who am I to say that the practices are wrong. This book was so amazingly written, I literally could not put it down. I stayed up all night last night finishing it! As is mentioned in the book, ignorance is bliss and knowledge can be a burden, but it’s better to be informed than be blind. It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t a true tale of a woman’s plight. A must-read for sure!
Rose –
Escaping the Twilight
I totally enjoyed this book, very educational. No one should be treated this way,I am amazed at how people devalue the lives of others
Dixie Goode –
What Women want for their daughters
No, this book has nothing to do with sparkly vampires. Yes it is a wonderful, intense read about a life very unlike mine. Not all women get to be as free with who they are and the goals they want to reach for as I have been. The wonderful little girl in this story is mutilated and controlled and intimidated all before she is old enough to know that there are options other than crawling off into the desert to die. The way she comes through her life, scared but strong and aware made me cheer her, but desperately wish no other child would ever have their parents hand them over to be mutilated and purified. This is a graphic look at the practice of female circumcision and genital mutilation and deals with it in an honest yet ultimately empowering way. The key moments in her life hinge on the choices muslim mothers make for their daughters, her mothers choice for her, her young friend’s Mother’s choice for that child, and finally the choice she couldn’t make for herself but must make for her own daughter, and how that means she can not keep her son.
Ariela Lipton –
Women Mutilation
Even though I have not finished the book, the subject in itself is extremely interesting especially when told by someone who went through this so called “ritual.” It is hard to believe that in this day and age women are still subjected to unbelievable degradation.
Marburks –
Compelling novel about Sudanese women
A book we all should read, unbelievable cultural practices still going on in Sudan today. Reads like a suspense novel, with very rich characters and descriptions of women’s lives so realistic I felt as if I experienced the story first hand. Maybe I can nap today to make up for the late reading last night!
Carson –
Awesome read
I started reading this book as soon as I bought it. It gets you right away and makes you want to finish it in one sitting. It is very engrossing and told me things I did not know were happening in the Arab culture. Very eye opening!!
joni –
Well researched and written novel
A very well researched and written book about the Sudanese culture and their mistreatment of Muslim women. It is the story of Amina, a 9 year old Sudanese girl who undergoes female circumcision and almost dies. The act of circumcision is considered to be a female’s right of passage into purity, preparing her for marriage. Amina marries a man who takes her from her tiny village into the city of Khartoum where she lives with his family. Her husband’s Aunt Sophie, who is a well educated modern woman, takes Amina under her wing and teaches her many things. With the birth of her daughter Amina vows that the girl will not suffer the same fate Amina did.
EFW –
Typical of Weidenweber’s work
Although a huge geographic jump from what I’m accustomed to with the author’s work on Russians and Germans, this is an excellent read. The topic is frightening and needs to see the light of day in many other venues. Weidenweber is a wonderful researcher.
Evelyn –
Female circumcision
This book is a well researched piece of fiction telling accounts of female circumcision in the Muslim world, specifically Sudan. This custom perpetuated by fear and men’s power over women is incredibly in humane resulting in mutilations and deaths. The author helps one understand the cultural forces that allow this to continue.
nuala –
Escaping the twilight
This was a wonder full book.It showed the main character to be of such a strong person and was able to overcome all that was thrown at her.It also makes you think of the harm culture /religion can do and nearly all cases it’s to the benefit of the man. This book highlighted the crimes against women and all done in the name of God. It is a riveting reading, and the reader is certainly left with food for thought.
G. Paul-Schwartz –
A good information resource
I had expected a more inspiring story. Still the plot in this one was very fluid with lots of unexpected twists and turns. What is perhaps the most interesting is that the story does not focus only on the genital mutllation aspect it weaves this in as part of a story to tell about how women live and the challenges they face as a result. Still a worthwhile read.
Patricia Kenworthy –
Enlightening!
This book is very enlightening. Those of us who were raised in free countries, under no fanatical religious rules and where women have equal rights can’t even imagine this.
Cinda M. –
Women in Muslim culture
This book helps you understand what it is like for a woman to live under the Muslim rules and culture. Ver eye opening for me