Behind Closed Doors: Women's Oral Narratives in Tunis [Paperback]

Monia Hejaiej (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Tunis has a long history of city life reaching back to ancient times. The Arabic language is firmly rooted among it inhabitants and most embrace the morals and culture of Islam. Behind Closed Doors presents forty-seven tales told by three Beldi women, members of a historic and highly civilized community, the city's traditional elite. Tale-telling is important to all Beldi women, and this book examines its role in their shared world and its significance in the lives of the three tellers. Tales are told at communal gatherings to share and pass on Beldi women's secret lore of love, marriage, and destiny. Ghaya, Sa'diyya, and Kheira tell stories which echo their life experience and have deep meaning for them. Their tales reflect accepted moral codes, and yet many depict attitudes, relationships, and practices that contradict established norms. Whereas Kheira presents a conservative and moralistic view of the role of women, Sa'diyya's heroines are alive with sexual energy, and Ghaya's stories also offer racy and rebellious comments on a woman's lot. These contradictory visions offer a kaleidoscopic view of the position of women in the rich life of a historic North African city. Monia Hejaiej has written an eloquent introduction to the volume, providing an overview of the history and culture of Tunis and insights into the reading of the tales. Monia Hejaiej was born in 1957 in Tunis. She obtained her doctorate at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and now teaches literature at the University of Tunis.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Monia Hejaiej has written an eloquent introduction to the volume, providing an overview of the history and culture of Tunis and insights into the reading of the tales.

Monia Hejaiej was born in 1957 in Tunis. She obtained her doctorate at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and now teaches literature at the University of Tunis.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081352377X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813523774
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,525,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > History > Africa > Tunisia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside scoop, March 22, 2000

By 

W. Richards "86 stylee" (bahrain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind Closed Doors: Women's Oral Narratives in Tunis (Paperback)

Fun and easy reading. Challenges stereotypes and cliches one may have about women in muslim societies. This is the tale of tales which explores the oral tradition of a society's women to pass on stories of one's culture. By the telling stories -often "dissed" as old wives tales - of women in non-traditional roles, or sometimes ordinary roles, these tales validated and placed a value on the lives of many women in a society which tended to devalue their existence. Read and see how important that part of your growing up may have been. I liked the book and challenge you to find a reason to dislike it.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Children's Book, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Behind Closed Doors: Women's Oral Narratives in Tunis (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful collection of tales told by Tunisian women, translated into English. While it is folklore, it is not for children--some of the tales are quite risqué! Highly recommended--but for adults!