3.75 stars

The tale of a woman named Firdaus on death row in Egypt during the 70s, as told to our author, who was working as the Director of Health Education for the government. Firdaus is accused of murdering a man, but those who come to know her believe "murderer or not, she's an innocent woman and does not deserve to be hanged."

Over the course of her short life, Firdaus was at the mercy of every man she came across - her father, uncle, the husband she was given to, the men who purchased her body for an hour's time. Occasionally she would find clarity and purpose in realizing that she could set her own prices and choose her own clients, but in the end, this also wasn't the life she wanted. By the time Firdaus commits the crime she's accused of, she's come to believe that death is the only way to true freedom in a society that valued women so very little.

"I am saying you are criminals, all of you: the fathers, the uncles, the husbands, the pimps, the lawyers, the doctors, the journalists, and all men of all professions."
They said, "You are a savage and dangerous woman."
"I am speaking the truth. And truth is savage and dangerous."