Review: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Title: Wanted Women: Faith, Lies & The War on Terror: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali & Aafia Siddiqui
Author: Scroggins, Deborah
Length: 560 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Politics, Religion
Publisher / Year: Harper / 2012
Source: From the publisher for review.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I was intrigued by the combination of women.
Date Read: 30/12/11
Most of us have heard at least something about Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui and one or the other (or both) is likely to generate strong reactions in anyone who hears their names. Ali was born in Somalia and immigrated to the Netherlands, becoming a fierce critic of Islam. Aafia Siddiqui was born in Pakistan, studied in the United States of America for many years, and became a wanted terrorist. Both have their loyal followers as well as their ardent haters. Both have led controversial lives and their stories are both full of inconsistencies and half-truths.
In this book Scroggins tells the stories of both women, alternating between the two through time. Throughout she highlights the inconsistencies in the stories of both women, showing that they both belong to extremes. Many in the West adore Ali, many in Pakistan and the Middle East adore Siddiqui. Both women have compelling stories and can claim the status of victim in some ways and both have managed to tell their stories in a way that ensures they come across as heroines, at least to some. Both have also managed to completely polarize the debate in their own way, completely ignoring and bypassing any middle ground – and there is a lot of it if we only ignore the extremes.
I was nervous going in that the book would lean toward one side or the other heavily and be prejudiced against the other side. Given that Scroggins is an American author I was of course more concerned that she would fully endorse Ali while demonizing Siddiqui. I was incredibly happy to see that this was not the case and that she managed to portray both sides humanely and evenly. The author highlights stereotypes and prejudices that are held in various parts of the world and the ways that these play into our beliefs and actions.
Ali’s story was most familiar to me as I had read two works by her previously. Both of them resonated with me when I first read them but I do wonder, as with many books I read years ago, how they would sit with me now. One thing that Scroggins kept highlighting was the way in which Western academics, pundits and feminists eagerly embraced her, often saying things along the lines of how they were happy to see someone from that background admitting the things they always though. This really struck me and I think that a lot can be taken from these simple statements. We are so ready to believe anyone who confirms our suspicions, often without much research to back up those facts. Rather than a nuanced view, we eagerly embrace things that are often untrue. The implications are enormous and I know this is what I will stick with me most from this book.
My biggest issue with the book was the way it was framed in the introduction. The author talks about why she chose to write about these two women and why, and in doing so she says that she found their stories so similar in many ways and so found it interesting that they ended up on such opposite extremes later in life. In reading their life stories though, and from what little I had known about them both before, there are few similarities beside the fact that they are both non-Western females raised in semi-practising Muslim families. This comparison of the two and claiming of ‘similarities’ prejudiced me against the book and the author to a large degree and made me incredibly wary reading it. In the end, however, as I reached the end and the closing thoughts, I had to agree that the two stories work well together in highlighting many issues – though comparing the two isn’t as easy as the author might say.
In total the book was interesting especially in examining the polarization we are facing today in the media and in the world. The way we latch on to what seems right or familiar rather than looking for the truth in any situation is telling and is problematic. While the book wasn’t perfect, and I can’t speak to some of the facts behind it, it was definitely an interesting read.
I….have never heard of either of these women.
#badamerican
:O I’m kinda shocked Amanda. heh
I am incredibly curious about this book now, having seen the whole Ayaan Hirshi Ali
“controversy” in the Netherlands (and her choosing to move to the US) from close-by. I’d be more than happy to read a book that highlights the extremes she goes to in her representation of Islam.
The introductory remarks about the similarities sound puzzling at first sight, but I’m glad that you thought the execution was interesting enough to give it 4 stars.
Yes you would know a lot more about it all Iris, having been there for it! I think you’d enjoy this and perhaps get a lot out of it. Definitely good that the author managed to overcome my concerns for the most part.
This sounds fascinating. I’m glad to know the author was able to give a fairly balanced account of these two women.
Yes I mean, I still have concerns Kathy, but she made me *think* and that is a really good thing!
I find your reactions to the claim that both women came from the same backgrounds very interesting, and I think it’s so awesome that you had the discernment to realize that this was patently untrue. It is also interesting to see the way you related to the book, and the points you make about people being very willing to embrace negative stereotypes rings very true. Excellent review today, Amy! I would like to read this one.
Thanks Zibilee. It was really interesting and despite my misgivings I definitely thought a lot through the book and for that reason consider it a success. Would love to hear more opinions.
This one is going on my list ! Thanks for reviewing this book !
You are most welcome maphead. Sadly I’ve already promised it out else I’d offer it to you!
The “they’re so alike!” comment does sound like something that would put me off too, but I’m glad that the book was well executed anyway. You made me very curious, as I’d love to read something that deals with these two women in a nuanced way. As always, you rock the non-fiction recommendations
Thanks Ana! I try, sometimes it is a complete accident though that I end up liking a book, as in this case. It definitely took quite a bit for the author to bring me around!
Thanks for this thoughtful and even-handed review of this book, Amy. We all have to wary ofwhat gets pushed into our faces and endorsed. Certain opinions that are taken as representative or the right ones to have. I think it’s interesting to look at these two women together actually. They do share similarity in that they managed to get their opinions heard on both sides above the easily promoted male speakers. Feminism – it’s about equal opportunity regardless of which side one is on! Thanks again.
You are most welcome Kinna. It definitely makes you think about what you see in the media and how biased it sometimes is – without you even realizing it… and especially in the US sadly. Feminism definitely is good at promoting all of us, no matter our opinion! That being said, I’d rather we all were just educated enough to understand truth rather than needing gatekeepers to tell us who to listen to and keep other voices silent!
This sounds fascinating! Your misgivings about the introduction echo a question I had about the premise of the book at the very beginning of your review which was “why compare these two women?” (I only know the smallest amount about both of them). Sounds really interesting though.
Yes I had to share them in the post as I thought others might share the concerns as well Emily. I won’t say they disappeared, but the lessened throughout the reading.
I have this book on my shelf, I just haven’t gotten to reading it yet. The similarities thing is sort of weird, but I’m glad to hear it goes away as the book progresses. Sometimes I like to go back and re-read the intro to nonfiction books after I finish to see if I feel differently about the premise or setup after finishing the book.
I’m glad to hear that you have it too Kim. Am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I love going back to the intro too
This is intriguing in a way how a woman who typically tend to acquiesce would stand out from the crowd to do something shocking. Thanks for introducing it.
Yes, very interesting indeed JoV!
Sounds interesting. I might have to check it out.
Nice review as always!
Thanks Kailana!
Amy, thank you so, so much for a) encouraging me to read this book and b) lending me your ARC!! Nonfiction the journalistic style covering politics and international affairs has always been my dad’s thing, not mine
Plus these women bothered me (I didn’t read anything of Ali’s) so I was reluctant to delve into their stories. But I’m so glad I did. As a Muslim woman who grapples with her identity on so many levels, it was so important for me to read this.
I was very struck by how incredibly complex Siddiqui’s story was compared to Ali’s. There was some murkiness in the story Ali would tell the world about her past, etc., but with a bit of investigation one could see what’s going on. With Siddiqui, such a thing is impossible. Having lived in Pakistan (from 2004-2008) I have seen the level of paranoia and conspiracies that prevail the media even in the face of the facts. I even remember my mother telling me, horrified, about how a talk show speculated about the gory details of Aafia’s alleged torture. Which, from the facts gathered by the author, are no more than a fabrication.
Anyway, it’s going to be tough reviewing this one given that I’m a bit out of my depth, but I’m so, SO glad you lent it to me. THANK YOU!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book and got something out of it. It’s certainly a really different one, and covers a lot that is controversial but interesting too. I think the fact that more can be actually known for sure about Ali’s story in a way gives a bit more leeway to Siddiqui, because no one seems to really know for sure, too. I mean, it seems to be fabrication… but it’s still hard to tell. That really interested me.
I just liked though the painting of the extremes, especially to show how Ali has so many flaws. That is something that not enough people realize, as they accept and preach on her hatred, unfortunately.
That’s true, saying the popular version of Siddiqui’s story (in Pakistan, at least) is a fabrication is definitely oversimplifying things.
And of course, given that Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s statements are so troublesome to me personally, I was pretty receptive to reading about her flaws! I was stunned to learn that she doesn’t practically implement any community-based strategies to overcome all the ills she talks about and that she actually set back the work that feminists had been doing in Holland for years. By understanding this I learned more not just about her but about the people who are glorified and put on the pedestal because they are shown to be making a major change by the media.
Yes! Thanks for bringing that up Sarah. I, too, was completely shocked at how much more harm than good she’s actually done. Shows a lot about those who follow her in the US doesn’t it – and not surprising knowing who they are either. They are hardly supporters of women’s rights locally
Exactly! How come no one sees the double standard??
Wilful ignorance I think Sarah