Jeddah Bride: A Memoir

Patricia fell madly in love with Rahman Abbar, scion of a wealthy Saudi Arabian family, and when he suggested they marry, it was the happiest day of her life.

A smart, adventurous, free-spirited girl, Patricia was not prepared for life as a Saudi woman–a life spent looking through curtains and veils at the world outside, a life that of necessity was curtailed and protected from the toxic masculinity of the culture, a life that, for a free-spirited girl used to sneaking out and hitchhiking, was dangerous and frightening and alien.

She was not prepared to give up all her freedom: freedom to drive herself, to go where she wanted when she wanted, to read books and listen to music she wanted, even to give up making a career for herself. But shouldn’t love be enough to overcome everything?

After years in Jeddah, Patricia and Rahman moved to America, where Patricia gave birth to two children and started her own successful career. She thought that surely their family was complete, that now they would stay in America to raise their children in freedom and security. Then Rahman starts talking about leaving America and moving back into the jet-set lifestyle–regardless of Patricia’s needs and wishes. After previous disappointments, Patricia is finally ready to divorce him and strike out on her own.

She is not ready for her children to be kidnapped.