Rating: 
Summary: the book was very uplifting,Betty is a very breve hero
Review: I can not say how much the book and the movie ment to me.Betty is a very loving and couragous mother to Mahtob.When I was reading the book I felt what Betty felt. Betty is a hero in my book because of the way she never gave up. I would reckamend this book to all ages.It is very hard to put down!
Rating: 
Summary: This is NOT Islam.
Review: I'd like to say that viewers who had no idea about Islam prior to watching the movie, must have been really shocked and appalled. I'd like to point out that as a Muslim, and having studied the Koran, there are a lot of misconceptions about how Muslims live in a Muslim country.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting novel
Review: NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER was an interesting book.... once they escaped which took quite a while. To start with, Betty Mahmoody wasn't a writer, so I'm not blaming her for the book not being a fabolous work of literature. At some parts I couldn't put the novel down with the excitment and at some points I was so disgusted and bored I felt like throwing the thing out the window. She shouldn't have described everyday in such great detail, considering each day was so much the same. I found it interesting, however, when Betty and Mahtob escaped, and I also admired Betty for not leaving her little girl behind no matter how bad everything got.
Rating:
Summary: Look At It From This Point Of View...
Review: For all of you people who are criticizing Betty Mahmoody's book, look at it like this. She had nothing against Iranians until she travelled there and was forced to stay by her husband and a government that's laws are grossly unfair if you research them. Moody's family was almost exactly the same as him as well so how do you think Iran is potrayed to her? She even admits that she found not all Iranians are like Moody, but having spent extensive time in Iran, I know a lot of people are. The Khomeini government only favoured male Moslems. Ms. Mahmoody was a bit exaggerated in her description of Iran, but she was going though a major culture shock. It is amazing she escaped. I am half-Iranian, and I am fully aware of the culture and government and the major prolems they both have. The government just changes the culture whenever they want. I'm sure Betty Mahmoddy would have loved the original Iran, or Persia.
Rating: 
Summary: zero stars
Review: This book deserves zero stars, not 1! A one-sided, racist, diatribe against Iranian people, its publication almost rises to the level of a hate crime, in my opinion. Like most stories, there are two sides, but this only tells it from the perspective of the mother who unlawfully and immorally took away the father's daughter and for years has refused to even let him see her! There is a documentary film showing the father's side of the story (there was also a shameful film, starring Sally Field that was based on this book), but it is not generally available in the U.S. This propaganda book should be taken only with a mountain of salt!
Rating:
Summary: Nerve-wracking
Review: Don't read this book when you go to bed if you want to get a peaceful night's sleep. Its tense, but never a dull moment. I love true stories and this is one of the best.Betty's Iranian husband was medically trained in the US and was an anesthesiologist. I have never heard of anyone going to an anesthesiologist for a mental problem, unless they beg to be euthanized and put out of their misery. The reviewer from London, UK also says maybe Betty's attempts to escape Iran was the cause of her husband's anger and abuse. Well, since her husband had promised they were only going for a 2-week visit to Iran to visit his family, and then held her against her will there, I think she had the right to be very angry herself. Too bad she couldn't give back some of the beatings he gave her. Also, Betty said they bathed every two months, not once a year. I marvel at Betty's determination and courage. She was lucky to have such honest, kind, Iranians, Kurds and Turks to help her get home to America.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely compelling story.
Review: This book tells about one woman's courage and strength. Those who panned this book should remember Betty Mahmoody agreed to go to Iran only because her husband "promised" her they would only stay two weeks. He announced just a few days before their scheduled departure that he lost his job and they would remain in Iran. He betrayed her in a very big way. Since, according to government rules, she could not divorce Moody without losing her daughter or if she left the country without Mahtob to visit her dying father, she would not be permited to return. Remember, Betty did not want to live according to their culture and she had that choice since these are modern times. As a result, Betty was going to leave the country anyway she could. There have been Iranian women who have left the country never wanting to return also. Yes, she is negative toward the country but she is not the only one who has escaped Iran or other such countries. Not Without My Daughter is one of the most compelling life experience stories I have ever read. I will read it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: OPEN LETTER TO MAHTOB MAHMOODY
Review:
Dear Mahtob,
A few years ago like millions of people I read the book about your story and I sympathised for you and your mother.
Like millions of people then, I considered Muslims as being backwards, uneducated and cruel.
When I moved to Turkey, I discovered another face of Muslims. I met people overwhelming and with such a sense of hospitality that Occident has got a lot to learn from. People were so plain, so true, so far away from the cliché of " Midnight Express " for example.
A few days ago, I have seen a program about an old man who has spent the past fifteen years trying to establish contact in order to be reunited with his daughter.
This man could no longer smile or enjoy life. He was broken. It was over so difficult to watch this program without being heartbroken.
As you guessed, this man is your father, Dr Sayyed Bozorg Mahmoody.
If I send this open letter today it is because on the one hand I do not like seeing people suffering that much and on the other hand which is the most important is because I hope it would reach you and you would make good use of it.
Whatever could have happened between your mother and your father, just remember he is your father and like all fathers love their children, your father loves you. You are his flesh and blood.
My father died more than ten years ago. I never told him I loved him. I can no longer tell him I love him now. Believe me, it is so difficult to live with such a weight on your conscience.
Your father is suffering like hell and I am convinced you will never forgive yourself if at least you do not try a reunification.
Do not the make the same mistake as I made.
I have no doubt that your mother loves you and that she wants the best for you, but I am sure that your mother would not want to see you suffering and feeling guilty because one day it will be too late and you willl always regret that you did not get in touch with your father when you could have done it.
Do not go through what I am going through. Time is not a healer when it comes to that kind of pain.
Remember that because of the political context between the United States of America and Iran at the time, your father was the perfect Iranian monster and as such he was never given a chance to tell his side of the story.
Please give him this chance now.
Rating: 
Summary: my issues with the book
Review: First I'd lieke to say that I feel very sorry for Betty and her daughter that they had to go through hell in Iran. And as much as I feel sympathetic to any cases of abuse against women I have to say Betty Mahmoody was extremely irresponsible and acted stupidly!! As much as I blame Moody (her husband) for what happened, I also blame her! How can anybody subject their own child to all that, I don't know. She realised that the marriage was falling apart before she left for Iran. She did receive negative vibrations from her husband and his relative that came for medical operation to America. So I ask why would anybody even agree to go to Iran in these circumstances?? Somebody who has no brains and can't think for herself. I bet it would have been enough to turn on TV to find out that Iran wasn't a safe place at that time, but she chose to be blind and deaf to that! Sure her husband wasn't mentaly healthy, but for goodness sake, when you see something is not right when it comes to relations between a wife and a husband, run away! Her explanation that she was scared that he would have done it anyway, that is that he would take her daughter or both of them and take her/them to Iran is a bull! The way she subjected her daughter to voilence between her and her husband is absolutely unforgivable! Also the visa/passport problems are not clear either, she doesn't really explain that much about it.
Even though I beleive in most of the story, some parts of it seem a little taken too far.
I gave it 3 stars, because I did enjoy the story, it brought me to tears couple of times. I read it in French so I don't know if it's Betty's writing or the translation was so good.
Rating:
Summary: A FRIGHTENING WINDOW INTO ISLAMIST IRAN
Review: Ought to be required reading for any woman foolish enough to think she can marry a "handsome, exotic-looking man with an accent" and live happily ever after (especially if living in his country and with his family). The book stands on its own as an indictment of such foolishness. Betty Mahmoody's 25-year crusade to warn others and to help women who made the same mistakes she did are a testament to authenticity of the facts in "Not Without My Daughter". If simple logic isn't enough to convince you of the author's claims, check out http://www.domini.org/lam/warnings.html There you will find dozens of stories of women who married Muslims, and how islamic law affected them, their marriages and their children. The tiny percentage of American/Muslim marriages that do end in happiness can hardly justify the violence, cruelty and chaos that the rest of these women must endure. That said, the book is a page-turner that has stood the test of time. The sensational, current-events subject matter is as relevant today as ever. Highly recommended for all, but particularly adventurous young women.
|
