Rating: 
Summary: Tragedy
Review: What an amazing story, even more so amazing is that it took place in my lifetime. I laughed and cried while reading the book. Truly one of the best this year.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book, Want More...
Review: After reading all the previous reviews I don't have much to add to the fact that it is an excellent read. I watched the 60 Minutes interview of Malika Oufkir before I read the book and the name seemed very familiar to me. It took me a while to realize that I had read about General Oufkir's coup attempt in a semi-fictional novel : The Spy Wore Silk by The Countess of Romanones Aline. Since I feel a sense of unfinishedness among some of the reviewers, I would like to recommend the above book for people who would like a better idea of who General Oufkir was and just how big a betrayal of his king his coup attempt was. Of course this in no way justifies the imprisonment of his family. But I do think that the two books should be read together to get a better view of the context in which the incident took place, and an outsider's view of the Morocco of the time. The author of The Spy Wore Silk is an American married to a Spanish Count.
Rating:
Summary: Stolen Lives - An amazing account of one family's trials
Review: I found that once I picked up this book, I was unable to put it down. I couldn't believe the lifestyles, beliefs, traditions, some of which as archaic as they may be, unreal. This book was fasinating and completely tragic all at the same time. When I finished the book I wanted more. I wanted to know how everyone's life is now. I would recommend this book to anyone who does not believe that tragedies and triumphs like this are no longer in existance. My heart goes out to the Oufkir family.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book. I wanna cry now.
Review: Having grown up in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, I have heard my share of stories about political prisoners. But this was the worst. Throwing kids in prison and that too such a horrendous one is just terrible. I bought the book and finished it in like 6 hours. I am not much of a reader, but the book just kept me glued. Recommended to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful and Troubling Story
Review: This book is about a woman's life as an insider to Moroccan Royalty. The story is told in the first person, and reads as a running commentary on the incredible story of her adoption by King Muhammad V of Morocco, and her growth into adulthood as a victim of a failed coup attempt by her father; a general in the Moroccan Military and close adviser to the King. Her story takes you from grief she feels being torn from her natural family and especially her mother, to be adopted by the King. She describes the spoiled world of a would-be Princess, and her life in horrible prison conditions. A study of extreme contrasts in lifestyles.I found the story to be fascinating, the imagery of a world unknown in Western culture. The emotions both touch and repel. I found her attitude as a Princess in the palace to be disturbingly egocentric and spoiled, contrasted by the strength and courage she demonstrated while looking after her family in prison. The depictions of the prison life, with the rats, roaches, sand fleas, and other poor conditions made my skin crawl while reading. My only criticism of the book is that the editing is a bit choppy. The story is so compelling, but it struggles to flow seamlessly from event to event often causing me to go back a few pages and see if I had missed a transition. While this was frustrating at times, the emotional contents of the story overcome any weaknesses in writing style. Some may even enjoy the journalistic approach. I would recommend this book; it is an incredible journey.
Rating:
Summary: slow start.....gets REALLY good
Review: this book was sorta boring to me throughout the palace part and the oufkir house part. I was expecting a trajic story...but it really wasnt that bad yet. When they were imprisoned, it was the most amazing story I have ever read! I can't believe that this is a true story. How could anyone have lived there life that way. DEFINETLY worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: An Unbelievable True Story
Review: It is difficult to understand how such cruelty could exist during the late 20th century. I feel this book should be required reading for every high school student in the United States, where freedom and material things are taken for granted. The one thing that helped these people survive was Malika Oufkir's eduation and determination. She was able to educate the children in the group and help her family through the terrrible hardships they endured. Without her they would not have survived more than a few years. This book will open your eyes to just what foreign countries are capable of doing. If you enjoyed this book, I think you will like 'Sing Me A Bawdy Song' by Noema Ayers. It is the story of a family living in Los Angeles during the 30's and 40's. It is full of historical facts and GOOD old-time songs. Since it is 60% true, it will kkeep you asking 'Did this really happen?' and 'Was that true?' It is easy and enjoyable to read.
Rating:
Summary: Human will to live
Review: This book reveals the amazing capability of the human will to live. There were several points in the book when characters either attempted suicide or assisted in the suicide of a sibling. The most touching episode is when the youngest sibling attempts suicide at the fragile age 7 with hopes that the King will release the rest of the Oufkir family after learning of the little one's death. Despite these hard times they make the best of their 15 years without daylight by presenting humorous plays, narrating stories and goofing around in their dreary cells. Their hardships make us question the luxuries we tend to seek and the many facades we posess. The book forces us to realize that life and what we have today cannot be taken for granted - regardless of name and fame.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't stop reading it.
Review: I found this book a compelling read from the story of her life as a member of the royal family living in the luxury of the palace and harem, to the horrible imprisonment. It's hard to imagine so many years of a terrible existence, and that they weren't reduced to madness. I was amazed that they found something to laugh about, and to use stories and games to keep themselves going. This is truly an example of the resiliency of the human spirit and a loving family. Get out the tissues, because you can't help but cry for this family.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't believe everything you read
Review: As an American woman who lived in Morocco for five years, as both a Peace Corps Volunteer and then as a private citizen, I found this book to be at first interesting but ultimately deeply unsatisfying. STOLEN LIVES tells the story of Malika Oufkir, daughter of strongman General Oufkir, righthand man of King Hassan II of Morocco. Starting life as a pampered girl who is virtually adopted by the King and lives in the palace as a companion for his young sister, she ends up a political prisoner, who along with her family and two servants is imprisoned for almost twenty years in increasingly deplorable conditions. Eventually, she and her family make a dramatic escape and well.. the rest is an Oprah-esque happy ending. Though I enjoyed the voyeuristic look into the Moroccan royal palace, and was kept interested in the increasingly harsh conditions in the infamous Moroccan prison Bir Jdid, ultimately I found this book to be incredibly implausible and deeply unsatisfying. It is certainly true that there were significant human rights violations occurring in Morocco during the time that this book describes-- it is also plausible that the Oufkir family did endure some of the harsh conditions described in the book. To me, however, the story of their escape was flat-out unbelievable. I also felt frustrated by the fact that the story does nothing to illuminate the complex situation in a country where a tiny elite rides from palace to palace in chauffeur driven limousines while the vast majority of the population live in dire poverty. I am sorry that this book will probably be widely read, as it paints a picture of this complex and fascinating country that is lopsided, sensationalistic, and laced with untruths.
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