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Summary: Turkey is different
Review: i read some of the reviews and people think that there is this problem in every muslim countries. however, Turkey is a very different muslim country and women have equal rights. they don't have to wear turban and they can walk out in the streets anyway they want to and at any our. I don't want people to believe that "muslim countries are terrible" because there are always exceptions.
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Summary: PEOPLE, LOOK AT THIS BOOK A LITTLE MORE OBJECTIVELY
Review: Everyone trashing Betty's "ethnocentric" attitude misses the point of the book. Never does she set out to tell the complete, broad story of what it is like in Iran. She is not a researcher or a scholar attempting to give a balanced picture of life there. Rather, she sets out to tell her individual experience, warts and all. She doesn't make herself into a saint, and she allows her own prejudices and tunnel vision to come through. She doesn't offer a lot of "proof" as some reviewers have complained of--in fact, I can't think of one AUTObiography I've read that is chock full of "proof." The point of an autobiography is to tell one's own story the way one sees it. Betty did that. If you don't like book is not meant as a sweeping generalization her telling her story, too bad. Everyone has the right to tell her or his story as he or she sees fit. I think the rest of us can see that the about Iranians, but instead, the experiences of one woman, her husband and daughter.
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Summary: taraf
Review: I read this book several times, and found it very hard to believe. Whilst accepting her husband hit her, what does not convince is the total character change of Dr Mahmoody.He was the all american good guy until he arrived in Tehran. Betty tells us that he poured the alcohol down the sink, and was very pro the revolution, why did she go to Iran? I have privilege of being married to an Iranian man who is totally wonderful. Neither he or his family are anything like the Iranians in the book, but then not all Irish families are like those of Frank Mc Court in Angela's ashes. If you like suspense, action and fiction read this.
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Summary: NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER
Review: I read this book some years ago, and I consider it an eye-opening, illuminating book to those who still do not believe that cultural diferences are extremely important in a relationship. The movie is good but does not explain the real reasons why Betty agree to travel to Iran during a very dangerous time. Any women who plans to marry someone from an islamic country must read this book first!
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Summary: Fabulous book
Review: The "Reader in the West" should read more carefully, especially coming from "an investigative background."Mahmoody pointed out that Tehran was a huge city. When she was at home, she was watched constantly. Once beyond the reaches of family, however, she met many sympathetic people, such as the women at her daughter's school. (Family members also had their moments of sympathy, especially as her husband proved himself to be unstable.) The women at the school followed Mahmoody's husband's instructions, and would not let her use their phone, but told her that they would not tell him if she came late, or left early -- or perhaps didn't come at all. So she was able, at times, to sneak away, when the husband thought she was sitting in the school's office, waiting for her daughter every day from 8 a.m. to noon. (Because the little girl became hysterical at being left there alone.) That gave Mahmoody the opportunity to get to the Swiss Embassy, with its American Interest Section. The people there replaced her passport for her. No inconsistancy -- perhaps you missed it because you weren't reading with an open mind. Why does it matter that Betty had older children? Is this along the same lines as rape victims deserve it if they aren't virgins? And why do you find it suspicious that Mahmoody became friends with a shopkeeper, who allowed her to use his phone -- because she wasn't allowed to use the phone at home? I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was talking about in regard to gardens, or her being in men's homes. I finished the book half an hour ago, and don't recall such a thing -- unless it's the safe house she went to at the very end, after she escaped. Her husband suffered the fate of most tyrants -- he couldn't trust Betty, because he had lied to her, beaten and bullied her. And yet he couldn't watch her every moment. He hoped she would love him despite the way he had treated her -- thinking that because she was a woman, rules of common decency didn't apply. And they don't, by and large, in Muslim countries. Mahmoody shows very clearly the misery that comes when laws are gender specific -- one law for men, another for women. Both the oppressor and the oppressed suffer. The book is a warning for anyone who thinks that might be a good idea. Laws must protect people without regard to their sex, race or religion. My only quibble with the book is why Mahmoody chose to wait until near the end to explain why she went to Iran. At last, she reveals that she had considered divorcing her husband back in the United States, had even gone to a lawyer to discuss this. The lawyer pointed out that her husband would be granted visitation, and that the courts would would have allowed him to take their little girl to Iran without mom. Mahmoody figured better to go with, so that if the worst happened, she'd be there. As it turned out, that's exactly how it went. Part of why this book is so compelling is the fact that Mahmoody reveals herself to be very fallable. She doesn't always make the right choices. Mahmoody has without a doubt saved lives with the book, which was her intent. It's not safe to marry someone from a culture that doesn't accord women human rights.
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Summary: not without my daughter
Review: This book was one of the best that i have read for a long time. A story of an American woman and her child being 'trapped' in a strange culture and country - after going on a 2 week vacation- to please her husband - an Iranian who had spent many years in the States training to be a Doctor. The reality of his 'personality' came out once he was back in his own contry - where he was treated like 'royalty'. He was the 'rich Doctor from America'. As within all areas of life usually only one side of the story is 'acknowledged' the story is 'thought provoking' and keeps you turning the page for more! The things that happened could only happen in this type of country due to their laws and religion - it does get one thinking - especialy the western world about womens postions within society. It was quite a 'scary experience' but one that keep me thinking and 'dissecting' all the possibilites that she had - especially with her daughter to consider and how her mind had to work with his so that she could get through each day - i take my hat off to her - and thank God that she 'got out' A really brilliant book!
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Summary: Not Sure
Review: I read this book and also saw the movie several times and am not sure about some of the descriptions of events. Coming from research and investigative backgrounds, I saw many discrepencies and contradictions in the book. They don't come from my personal feelings but rather from the account told by the woman in this book. One...Betty told everyone she was not allowed to have her passport,(it supposedly was being kept from her) yet one of the many men that helped her get away took it from her own purse. How did she suddenly have possession of it? What about the many numerous times when she was able to meet with 'men' in the market, in the shop, in the car where she rode around in plain daylight, and even at the 'man's'home, yet she claimed not to have any freedom and that she was 'watched' every moment? Also, there was her own life story she tells just enough of to make a discerning person think, of her having been married prior to Dr. Mahmoody and having children but that they weren't living with her and of how she met Mahmoody etc, so it didn't occur to me that she was some young innocent woman without experience, in spite of having the innocent and childlike actress Fields portray her part when the movie came out. What I am pointing out is that according to 'Betty's own version' of how things were, too many questions existed. I do think however, that Betty did indeed experience many of the personal feelings she claimed, but I wonder if the more intuitive and discerning reader might have some questions as to how much of it was actualities and how much of it was a result of personal paranoi or fear of what she didn't understand or know. It seems that she took a very big chance with her daughter's life (as well as her own) in going off into the darkness with men that she did not know at all,from that country, especially in light of her personal beliefs of how 'men' in that country were. Because of these and other incidences described in this book, I felt the book was sort of just too contradictory. Nevertheless, I did find the movie that was later made, fast-paced and holding interest. I think those that saw the movie first would believe the story one way but I think those that read the book first (those who read without prior personal prejudices) would probably be able to see the more contradictory and emotional involvement of the acclaimed 'heroine' of this book. The book is, in another sense though, a wake-up call to women of all ages and cultures. You should be mature before committing to anyone in marriage and you should KNOW ( not just think what you want to believe) about the personal beliefs and cultures of the person you are planning to spend your life with or bring children into this world with. Not only should women be more aware and logical but men also should be very careful about who they unite with. It works both ways...unfortunately this book doesn't reveal the other side so it works only one way. For that I give it a two.
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Summary: Two different worlds
Review: I read this book before anyone thought about making a movie and was VERY dissappointed when I watched the screen play. Betty Mahmoody accuratly depicts her struggle for freedom in Iran - a land where women have to rights and their husband's make all the desicions. I found this novel to be a good insight to the differnt values and beliefs between America and the Middle East. I especially found her preservation of Arabic words (a glossary is provided in the back of the book) to add a special affect. I would have liked to know more about Mathob (her daughter), on the whole a good read. ~15 yrs. female
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Summary: My Very Favorite Book
Review: This book is my very favorite. I read it for the first time when I was in junior high, and I have read it again and again since then. It is a gripping story about the love between a mother and her child with fascinating insight into the vast and frightening cultural differences between the United States nations and Iran. It really opened my eyes. I think this book would make a great Mother's Day gift. (I only wish it were available in hard back!)
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Summary: Story Line
Review: Well, I read all the reviews here and I read the book before the movie was ever made. The book was what I would consider gripping for the reader if the reader were expecting a mystery and action book. It was fast moving, descriptive and had a riviting story line. I found it so full of excitement (because I love reading mysteries especially about cultures foreign to my own)that I had to keep reminding myself that the book was claimed to be one of facts and truths about a family from the U.S. Anyway I found the book a very good read (thanks to the author) but when all was said and done and after I was enlightened about other culture and women who unknowingly step out of their own culture to travel, I realized that it's all relative. All relative in that it depends on HOW the woman (in this story) reacted to her own views of ethnocentricity and HOW mature this woman actually was. So as the man who wrote this book I give him credit as a writer due to the descriptive events as they played out throughout the book, but still the story line did seem to me more like a fictional mystery.
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