NAMASTE,
Not Without My Daughter is a gripping story of how an American woman was held hostage, along with her daughter, by her husband Dr. Sayyed Bozorg Mahmoody in Iran. This book reflects how women are taken to Middle Eastern countries and are held their under their own will by their husbands.
This book has been written so that the pages are enticed to your eyes. I like Betty’s writing style because she can capture your attention extremely easily. The way she explains things makes the painting of the scenes in your head so much more vivid and real. It is as if you are part of her story.
It has come to my attention when I was reading some of the other reviews written on this book in mouthshut, that a few people believe that this book portrays a stereotypical view of Islamic Middle Eastern people. I have heard similar stories just like that of Betty’s from my friends friends, and I have to say that this book to me does not seem like a stereotypical story. It is a biography for goodness sake. This story tells us what Betty went through to gain back her freedom. It tells us how she was treated. It does NOT say anything about how all Islamic Middle Eastern men are stereotypical. It explains to us the situation that her and her husband were in.
I respect all cultures and religions but I do not agree with the way Mr MahMoody treated Betty and their daughter. It is against human rights. Betty trusted her husband to go over to Iran with him and Mahtob. He clearly broke that trust. He abused Betty and Mahtob. Some people may say that Betty is somewhat against the islamic faith and that she shouldn’t have married Mr Mahmoody in the first place. I have to disagree with you on this one. Betty married Moody because she loved him in America, in America he was a different man, he accepted Betty even though she was a woman.
I have read ’Princess’ written by Jean Sasson which is about women in Arabia. I found this book very interesting and I recommend it to everyone who has read Not Without My Daughter also. I absolutely adore the way Jean Sasson uses such clever metaphors in this book.
So on the whole I believe Betty Mahmoody is a heroic woman. I thank her for sharing her amazing story with the world.