Even though the book beautifully unravels the Arabian culture, there are some critical flaws in the way the book is written. Its goes on without any sense of apparent direction or meaning. Also while the author is fascinated and appreciative of the Arab culture, her bias surfaces every now and then as she belittles (no matter how subtle) other peoples from poorer Asian nations. That was a big turn-off. Overall a very fairytale view by a Westerner which is too good to be true.

I just finished reading my copy of Mother Without A Mask not more than 10 minutes ago. I picked up the book for something to read at one of the hotels in Dubai and little did I know what an incredible treasure I had stumbled across.

I was absolutely captivated by Patricia's descriptions of her life with her Arab family. Their homes, their meals, their weddings, their life style in general. And I am in awe of her ability to blend with her extended family and yet still keep her individuality. Mrs. Tea Cup had such an incredibly open mind and open heart as she experienced life in a world so foreign to us westerner's.

I had the opportunity to spend 4 months working in the middle east this year. My only regret, with regard to this book, is that I did not find it and read it at the start of my work term in the Middle East. There were so many gems of knowledge in Patricia's writings that I could have benefitted from. And I have so many questions that I would love to discuss with my middle eastern co-workers who were always eager to share information about their way of life.

I know I will read this book many many more times and it will be one of my most treasured pieces of literature. Thank you, Mrs. Tea Cup, for the dedication and determination that it took to write this book and for educating us on a world that is so tragically misunderstood.

I'm ordering another copy of MOTHER WITHOUT A MASK because I lent my Hard Back copy to someone who never returned it. I wish more people could read this book because I think they would have a whole new attitude toward those who are living life styles very different from our own. I found the book entertaining as well as educational.Mrs Holton is a wonderful story teller.

I agree with the others who reviewed this book, except of course the person who said the author "folded like a deck of cards" when she disagreed with her hosts. Too bad this person didn't understand the author's message here! This was a wonderful, fascinating and rare book. I have been to the Gulf many times because I have family in Kuwait. So many times I have looked down on the veiled women that I've seen. Only now do have some understanding of these women; my attitude has changed since reading this book. I have always been curious about the true lives of Gulf Arabs, and only a Westerner who has lived with a family the way Mrs. Holton did could really explain these things to a curious bystander. A wonderful book!

Having lived in the region, I was curious to see what insights this woman would give me. I got MANY! She is not looking at the Gulf Arabs through rose-colored glasses and she is neither condemning nor sanctifying their lives. Rather, she is sharing her close insight into a world few westerners really see. I feel I need to comment on another review here that condemns the writer for bowing to her hosts when they doubt the truth of man having landed on the moon... she has obviously not understood the book at all ... I find doubting something you have seen on TV as healthy, and if she read the book through, she would find that views on this subject changed. I definitely recommend this book to anyone (male or female) who is planning to spend time with Gulf Arabs - and others interested in the Arab and Muslim cultures.