Rating: 
Summary: Amazing story of the human spirit!
Review: I have not done any research to verify if the information in this book is accurate or not. However, it was an excellent read and I highly recommend it! It provided an extraordinary glimpse into the world of human rights abuses and leaves the reader with a deep appreciation for the simple joys that we take for granted.Malika Oufkir was a teenager in the prime of her life when she was put into horrible prison conditions for twenty years with her family. Her family was being punished for the political actions of her father. Malika is an excellent story teller and has lives on the inside of the royal family in Morocco so it is very interesting to hear details of her upbringing. It is extraordinary to hear of the atrocious jail conditions inflicted on this family that was used to such a lavish existence. If you have any interest in human rights or the politics of Morocco then you will be fascinated by this read!
Rating: 
Summary: A True Story that Reads Like a Novel
Review: This is a book about the effects of imprisonment on the human soul and the eventual triumph of resistance over oppression. Written in simple journalistic style, the narrative reads like a novel but unfortunately represents a harrowing true account of survival. Malika's life changes in one moment from that of a spoiled rich jet setting adolescent to that of a prisoner who must suffer not only deprival of freedom and basic human comforts and necessities, but also contact with fellow family members imprisoned in isolated adjacent cells. The radical change in lifestyle is all the more stiking since it follows a description of her unique childhood experiences as a princess, an adopted daughter of the monarch raised in the palace. The profound injustice of the situation is especially appalling when one considers their innocence in being held accountable for a political crime allegedly committed by the assassinated father, a General. The victims, his wife and children who range in ages 3 from to 20, are committed to live a life of deprivation and endless imprisonment by a despotic Morrocan monarch as punishment for this coup attempt. The book is a powerful way to experience loss of freedom vicariously and from a safe distance and to understand its immediate and long lasting effect on individuals. The title epitomizes the irrevocable loss of life experiences suffered by its victims who on leaving imprisonment must begin life as middle aged or young adults with a 20 year hiatus. The book is touching and deep. It makes one understand the importance of organizations like Amnesty International in at least attempting to make a difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Straining for credibility
Review: First, I will admit that I am ignorant about the historical basis of this book. Also, if all that is described truly happened, it is of course a terrible and inhumane thing. The book, however, is so poorly written and rife with contradictions, it makes it difficult to believe that this is an accurate account. For example, the author describes the physical condition of herself and her siblings at the time of their escape as near death, starved, diseased, etc. Yet they manage to tunnel out of jail with a spoon and their bare hands, run for miles from their captors, and make their way to relative's home. (?) The photographs taken at the police station upon their capture show five healthy visages. (?) The author also portrays herself as the only reason she and her family are alive today. She gives virtually no credit to her siblings or the faithful family retainers who shared their fate. Finally, she does not seem to have been transformed from her experience. She is the same self-centered, bratty, spoiled teenager whe was when she was imprisoned. Not a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Testament to Courage
Review: No matter what flaws it may have, this book is well worth reading. Published during the life of King Hassan II, who imprisoned the Oufkir family, the book itself is an act of courage and defiance. It is a story that the family was threatened not to tell, and France is geographically close to Morocco. To better understand the book, it helps to learn a bit about the history of modern Morocco (or to have been there) before reading. Michele Fitousi does not add background information to the Oufkirs' story. Differences between the Berbers (indigenous to the area) and the Arabs (7th century arrivals,most of the ruling class) are important. The role of General Oufkir (a Berber) in restoring Muhammed V to the throne after the successful overthrow of the French colonial government, and the general's disillusionment with the corruption and disregard for the common people shown by Muhammad V's son Hassan II make the attempted coup d'etat more understandable. Both also illumine the spectrum of public responses to the Oufkirs' tragedy. The troubled but close relationship between 20th century France and Morocco is also important. There is nothing to add to what others have said about Oufkir's profound journey into the core of the human soul. She has the perception to tell us all what she found. Reading this book, one understands how Hassan II earned the face his photographs show in the last years of his life. Bravo, Malika!
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Summary: Amazing story of survival that applies to any life!
Review: Stolen Lives had me from page 1 until the very end, I literally couldn't set it aside! Not usually one for an Oprah book selection, I took a chance since this is a true story. I've found that by reading Malika's story and realizing that she and her family made it through, I can do anything I set my mind to. All through the book there are great parallels to practically anyone's life and struggles. Malika Oufkir's writing style is easy to read and captivating since it tends to remind you of sitting down with an old friend over coffee as they confide long hidden secrets. After only a few paragraphs, you'll find yourself deep inside beautiful Morocco experiencing palace life, lonliness, the joy of freedom and youth, disaster, imprisonment, and the triumph of familial love and the human spirit. This book is a must-have for you home library!!
Rating:
Summary: If you like an inspiring story, read this!!
Review: Beautiful, poignant, heart-warming, and touching. This is a story of survival, of determination, love, respect, and a strength of will in testing one's abilities. Malika takes you into her world, being vulnerable, soft and yet with such strength. The daughter of General Oufkir, she and her siblings suffer the consequneces that were given because of her father's attempt to assasinate the King. From a small country of Morrocco, with fragility, she tells of her love for her country, her King, her family, and her life before and her life after as she struggles to keep her and her family safe from enduring twenty years in a desert prison. It is a truly touching story. I recommend this book to anyone who is inspired by true stories, survival, and most especially, those who love to read about the strength and bond between a family and their country. It's not about the bitterness of suffering but through one woman, a story that gave her a voice, a strength of character and will. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Strength
Review: An incredible story of the human spirit and its ability to withstand tremendous adversity. Stolen Lives is a nonfiction account of a Moroccan family imprisoned for twenty years after a failed royal coupe orchestrated by the father. The Oufkirs, once prominent members of the Moroccan government and royal court, were banished by the King to a desert prison after he had their father executed. While imprisoned, the family endured horrendous mental, emotional and physical abuse. After fifteen years of desert isolation, the family masterminded the greatest coupe of all when they escaped their captor's jail by digging a tunnel using the most rudimentary of tools (hands, spoon, sardine lid). The chapter detailing the escape was the most well written section of the book. Suspenseful and engaging, the escape read like a superbly crafted fictional piece. Unfortunately the action was real, the characters flesh and bone, their suffering authentic. Stolen Lives is a testament to the vitality of the human spirit, and the grace of a loving God. It speaks to the love of family and friends and its ability to sustain us at our lowest points. I was overwhelmed by the loyalty expressed by Achoura and Halima. The Oufkirs were forced into exile by the King, Achoura and Halima chose exile in support the family they loved. That's a choice not many would make. I applaud and honor them for their commitment. This story is one that will join many others in the annals of human rights violations. It adds to the collective suffering of the world and should serve as a reminder that injustice anywhere is indeed a threat to justice everywhere. That power in malevolent hands spawns corruption. Hurrah! Hurrah! to the Oufkirs! May your courage and strength be contagious.
Rating:
Summary: **Unforgettable**
Review: Some of you may have seen this woman on Oprah a few years back telling of her ordeal. I put off reading this book & had come to the conclusion that I didn't want to read a depressing nightmare of being locked in a remote prison for decades. Then along came a friend of a friend, who encouraged me to read it, that I "needed" to read it.
This book, to me, was life-changing. As I recognize how spoiled us Americans truly are, nothing could've prepared me for this family's struggles.
Malika & her family displayed such amazing gifts of courage & strength that I was blown away. In awe and humbled. Their "tale" was almost just that: a tale. I simply cannot fathom the conditions that these poor people survived in.
As I was continuously mesmerized by their strength during their imprisonment, I was later caught in Malika's greatest feat of all: forgiveness. This woman showed me what a powerful thing it truly is. She forgave with such grace & eloquence that I was just speechless. I speak mainly of her due to the fact that she was "adopted" by the royal family as a child & later cast out in a most horrifying way. As us readers were not given as much detail of her siblings (especially after their release), I can make no assumptions for them. Nevertheless, this family as a whole is an unwavering symbol of love, strength, & survival.
I hope that they are doing well now & thank each one of them for their story.
I hope that I never forget it, for it is a daily reminder of what I have in this life with my freedom & my family.
Rating:
Summary: Take the time to read this
Review: This book is a story of human survival under conditions that are almost unimaginable. It's amazing that it happened in our time in a country we hear little about. This has to be one of the most moving books I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Horrifying!
Review: Horrifying, true story. This book is depressing, yet inspiring.
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