
Desert Governess
An Inside View on the Saudi Arabian Royal Family
Phyllis Ellis(Author)
Gordon Medcalf(Editor)
Eye (Publisher)
Published on 21. January 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-903070-01-7 (ISBN)
Description
Recently widowed, Phyllis Ellis answers an advertisement requiring a governess in Saudi Arabia for two nieces and a nephew of the King. In a few days she is on her way, and suddenly her life is transformed as she struggles to cope with the total strangeness of her new home. Here she has little freedom of movement; every excursion requires permission and forward planning, and contact with the outside world, including her family, is almost impossible. At the same time she has to establish herself within the royal household and carry out her teaching responsibilities. Phyllis Ellis shares her shock at this stultifying restrictive life with its inevitable frustrations, yet she also learns of the bonds of warmth and affection that unite the Saudi women she meets, the strength of their faith and the positive aspects of kinship. Her informative book provides an exotic glimpse of a very private world.
Reviews / Votes
'A fascinating account of her time in the closed Muslim society.' Daily Express 'Her sense of comedy is as sharp as ever.' Saga 'An enormous adventure.' RealmMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Eye Books
Illustrations
colour illustrations, portraits
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-903070-01-7 (9781903070017)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Phyllis Ellis has had a varied and colourful career. She was an actress, comedienne, singer and dancer who appeared with a great many famous stars of stage and television, in shows which ranged from Oh, Calcutta! to The Benny Hill Show! Her face was also familiar to millions as a Mum in TV commercials for Fairy Liquid, Persil and Rowntrees ("Don't forget the fruit gums, Mum!") More recently she became a teacher, both of English as a Foreign Language (in Italy), and of Yoga. She is a widow with two grown up sons.