Book Review [49] : Not Without My Daughter

I am a great fan of Persian history and culture, and was looking for an "authentic" book on contemporary Iran and thus i found this book. Its a true story based on the personal experience of 'Betty Mahmoody". Its a story of an American woman 'Betty' who marries an Iranian doctor practicing in America. Iranian doctor took her (in 1984 i.e. after the overthrow of Shah regime in 1979) and her daughter 'Mahtab' to Iran on a false promise of returning to US after 2 weeks. In Iran he keeps his family under strict surveillance and confiscates all their legal documents. He scolds and beats his wife and daughter even at the slightest pretext. Under these immense odds, Betty plans her escapes. She receives help from many Iranians and the Swiss embassy in Iran. Finally she was able to escape by cab ride from Tehran to Tabriz and then from Tabriz to the border of Turkey and from there to US embassy in Ankara. She never keeps her daughter away from her and after facing innumerable odds she reaches US after 2 years in 1986. This books also shows how middle class Iranian lives and how official machinery brain wash them and how the cult of Martyrdom is enhanced and sought of. Must read for anyone who is interested in Middle East culture, highly recommended (9/10). Other books that i have read on middle east are: 'From the holy mountain' by William Dalrymple, Among the believers by V S Naipaul etc.

P.S. The Delhi gang-rape victim died today morning in Singapore after fighting for 13 long days and as Indians and as human beings we failed her. Dear sister, i am very sorry.
Highly recommended (8/10)