I find Ferraris's novels disturbing to read - the attitudes of the religious fundamentalists are pervasive and powerful, to the extent that there is a veil of fear hanging over everything. I have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal of life in Saudi Arabia, but it is convincing, as are the stories of foreign workers and the abuse they suffer. The three main characters - Katya, Nayir and Ibrahim - are sympathetic and flawed, and the various mysteries are interesting.