Book Review of 'No Country for Women' by Taslima Nasreen'

Taslima Nasreen’s book “No Country for Women” is a tale of barriers women face in quest of freedom, self-control, and liberation. Through her personal experiences from her previous relationships and social commentary, she exposes the ingrained patriarchy embedded in our daily lives. This book shows a mirror to readers inherently patriarchal subconsciousness and social control from the ages through the tools of oppression such as religion, culture, and traditions, for example: triple talak or polygamy in Islam, sati, karwachauth, and bhaidooj in Hinduism.

Nasreen, being a Bengali woman, also sheds light on the so-called progressive states and their culture of feminist societies, which is mainly limited to literature festivals and intellectual circles. which often fail to adopt these values when it comes to daily life and female sexual freedom. Through her experience of being citizens of western society and also being in a relationship with a Frenchman, she uncovers the truth about the meaning of the freedom for women in the western world: it is a free world for a woman, but when it comes to women making their own choices, suddenly, validation of male ego becomes mandatory. As a reader, I believe, why this book is titled as “No Country for Women” because it’s a men’s world, built by patriarchy, and it’s almost impossible for a woman to exist as an individual in the same world.”. Where we are stuck with the question, "Whom to blame, men or patriarchy?

In this book, Taslima also talks about the meaning of sexual freedom from both perspectives. For men, most of the time, it is more about the projection of their masculinity; when it comes to women, it becomes about compassion, love, and care; in the end, it leads to disillusionment, violence, and loneliness. She also states that, for women’s emancipation, education has not been entirely successful; it failed to teach men that women are human, not just the beautiful object. She argues that the ‘politics of commodification of women', whether it is Bollywood or a beauty contest or the market of makeup and cosmetics, is a political weapon used against their progress. She also portrays the role of men and patriarchy in placing women against each other; for example, mothers and grandmothers play a very important role in carrying forward patriarchy through the generations.

In this book, she boldly explores the role of religion and politics in the everyday lives of women. This is just not a book; it feels like we are in the drama of our own lives, and the writer is the spokesperson of our lost ambitions, pain, and dreams. I highly recommend this book to readers who like to understand the deep-rooted problems of society. Patriarchy is not only limited to women; it effects the whole earth.