Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Read
Review: This book was awesome...I could not put it down. The author describes the background, scenery, and individual descriptions in such detail that its like you are right there. This true story puts life into perspective.
Rating:
Summary: And you thought your life was tough!
Review: This is the most incredible book that I have read, for as long as I can remember. Malika Oufkir, her siblings and her mother, spent twenty years in prison for a crime her father committed. It is amazing that this happened within our time. This is the ultimate story of survival. Although it seems that it would be depressing, it is written with such clarity that I actually felt uplifted.
Rating:
Summary: Why does this still happen....
Review: When I purchased this book I had no idea this form of imprisonment still occurred. How can a country literally lock up a family and throw away the key? This family's ability to withstand years of abuse, deprivation and solitary confinement is short of miraculous. Indeed, the human spirit is a marvelous thing. Thumbs up for this family and this book!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Words cannot express the depth of admiration and awe I felt as I read this stirring and detailed account so richly shared with us by Malika Oufkir. It was a great privilege to learn so much from their tragic experience and yet triumphant outcome over such unjust mistreatment. And yet another triumph in writing it so that we could all be enriched and reminded of what strength in character and family can mean. I'll never forget this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Stranger Than Fiction
Review: I finished this book in two evenings, whereas it took me so many weeks to wade through Ahab's wife (see review posted 6/30/01). And it certainly holds firm to the "truth is stranger than fiction" adage. It is almost inconceivable that these kind of sadistic, politically motivated crimes against humanity are going on daily in our world and that is certainly an issue that needs more attention.Although I was riveted, repulsed and astounded that anyone would be able to survive conditions of such deprivation for such a duration, I wanted more. I could've easily read another 150-200 pages. I do not feel the book was particularly well written and long periods of time were glossed over: for example, the last three years of their captivity was pared down into a few pages and the level of demoralization was not extensively elaborated on. Three more years is a lot of time, even though their conditions had improved to livable. I did get the sense that Malika was numb to all that she had endured or perhaps just sick of reliving it. Certainly the most exciting section was their escape and recapture and there was no way I could put the book down during all of that. That is one of the factors I feel constitutes a good read and why I have given this book a fairly high rating. However, I want to know more about how they all have reconstructed their lives to live in some semblence of normalcy after such an ordeal. I want to know if Raouf ever got his teeth fixed and how they all restored their health. What's King Hassan II up to these days? I want to know more about Malika's life today, her days in Paris, her marriage to Eric. Perhaps that also is a sign of a good book to me....tell me more, don't leave me here. How can I help so this kind of thing can't happen to anyone else? This book had a chance to motivate many of us to action but I do feel it fell a little flat at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: This book has changed me in a profound way. I can no longer enjoy the ridiculous excesses and luxuries to which we Americans have become accustomed without thinking of the sufferings of the Oufkirs. After reading it, I am both uncomfortably aware of and eternally grateful for the simplest of freedoms and blessings that we enjoy in the United States. Malika Oufkir tells her horrifying story with honesty and courage. You will feel every emotion imaginable as you read this book. It is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: WOW! This is a moving and inspirational story of a family determined to survive. Told simply and concisely. While the Oufkirs' experience was horrific and unthinkable the book left me with a surprising feeling of warmth and inspiration about their survival and courage the simple closeness and support that got them through years of torture and imprisonment.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing story!!!
Review: This book is one of the best I have ever read. I couldn't skip a word. Malika Oufkir is such a remarkable human being and her story is an inspiration to us all. It's one book that I plan on reading again it was so good.
Rating:
Summary: Stolen Lives
Review: This book is an excellent read - a little jagged around the edges perhaps, and there could be a little more dialogue and action. But it's a remarkable testament to the human spirit, will and perservance. It reminds me how lucky I am to live in the U.S. where we take so many freedoms for granted.
Rating:
Summary: Arise!
Review: After reading this nightmare, perspective was given in my own life. Struggling with my Americanized problems suddenly seem so trival in comparison. The need for material possessions are put in perspective, learning to love what you have and realizing that you could lose everything in the blink of an eye will make you take inventory of your own life and find out what really is important. Malika and her family are the true Survivors. This was no television show...it was the real thing. God bless them. As Oprah put it.....You are my hero Malika.
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