66 pages • 2 hours read
Fatema MernissiDreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1994A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
First published in 1994, Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood is Fatema Mernissi’s memoir of growing up in a harem in 1940s Fez, Morocco. The book, told through a series of reflections and recollections, explores young Fatema's efforts to understand the concept of a harem amid political upheaval and restricted freedoms, and her aspiration for a world without the separation of men and women. The narrative addresses themes related to gender roles, cultural traditions, and the struggle for women’s rights.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Fatema Mernissi's Dreams of Trespass offers a captivating glimpse into the author's childhood in a Moroccan harem. Praised for its lyrical prose and cultural insights, readers appreciate the vivid depiction of women's lives. However, some critics find the memoir's pace slow and its narrative structure fragmented. Overall, it's a rich and evocative read that illuminates a unique cultural perspective.
Who Should Read Dreams of Trespass?
Readers who appreciate Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi or Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi will enjoy Dreams of Trespass by Fatema Mernissi. This memoir resonates with those interested in women's rights, Middle Eastern culture, and personal narratives of defiance within traditional societies.
RecommendedReading Age
15+yearsLexile Level
1230L