Sex and the Citadel by Shereen El Feki Summary
Overview of Sex and the Citadel
Unveiling sexuality in the Arab world, Shereen El Feki's Kirkus Best Book explores taboos from marriage to LGBTQ+ relationships. What hidden truths lie behind closed doors in a region where 75% of Egyptian girls face genital mutilation? A brave journey beyond headlines.
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Key takeaways
When the Bedroom Became a Battleground
A simple mistranslation in Cairo-"women's center" becoming "center for sluts"-captures something profound about Arab sexuality today. One misplaced vowel reveals how language itself has become a minefield, where even discussing women's issues risks moral condemnation. Yet beneath this surface of silence, a fascinating paradox emerges: the same region that once produced explicit erotic encyclopedias now confines sexuality strictly within marriage. How did the culture that gave us detailed medieval sex manuals become one where young people can't even ask basic questions about their bodies? This isn't just about prudishness or religious conservatism. Five years of research across the Arab world reveals that bedrooms function as mirrors reflecting deeper political, economic, and social realities. The same authoritarian structures that governed nations for decades also governed bodies and desires. When protestors filled Tahrir Square demanding freedom, they were rebelling against systems that controlled not just their votes but their most intimate choices-whom to love, when to marry, how to express desire.
The Great Sexual Reversal
The Marriage Trap
Pleasure, Power, and the Bedroom's Secrets
Youth Caught Between Desire and Denial
The Dangerous Knowledge Gap
Reclaiming the Future
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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