My Name Is Mahtob: The Story that Began the Global Phenomenon Not Without My Daughter Continues

by Mahtob Mahmoody

This is the story of an extraordinary young woman’s triumph over life-crushing trauma to build a life of peace and forgiveness. Two decades ago, millions of readers worldwide thrilled to the story told in the international bestselling memoir Not Without My Daughter that told of an American mother and her young child’s daring escape from an abusive and tyrannical Iranian husband and father. Now the daughter returns to tell her side of the story, not only of that imprisonment and escape but of life after fleeing Tehran: living in fear of re-abduction, enduring recurring nightmares and panic attacks, attending school under a false name, battling life-threatening illness—all under the menacing shadow of her father.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Christian, Book Club, Womens

298 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2013

About the author

Mahtob Mahmoody is the daughter of American author Betty Mahmoody. Her father was an Iranian-born, American-educated doctor, Dr. Sayed Mahmoody. In 1987, her mother published Not Without My Daughter in which she describes how she and then four-year-old Mahtob had been kidnapped from the United States in 1984 and imprisoned in Tehran by her Iranian husband. The book sold 12 million copies and inspired the 1991 Hollywood film of the same name.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Michigan State University, Mahtob Mahmoody works in the field of mental health and is an advocate for public awareness of health and welfare initiatives. She is represented by AEI Speakers Bureau and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Reviews

[Jenifer Alderman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great book at all. Very interesting life story, and I feel for the author and her experience and the challenge of coping with trauma, but the writing is weak and at times bends to the melodramatic while also managing to paint very flat portraits of the people in her life. Occasionally, (too often for my taste), she marches staunchly into evangelical christian rhetoric. This book seems to try and walk a line between memoir and personal religious testament. Overall a disappointment.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trebuia neapărat să citesc povestea asta si din perspectiva copilei, pentru că uneori unii oameni au tendinta să exagereze, însă de această dată am descoperit că nimic nu a fost scos din context, pentru că înafara câtorva lucruri pe care poate le-au interpretat diferit, ambele, atât mama cât și fiica au trăit lucruri îngrozitoare.
Mahtob a rămas cu sechele, psihice si fizice, pe care le-a depășit cu greu. (Ba eu tind să cred că nu le-a depășit niciodată, chiar dacă ea a zis că a făcut-o). E cumplit să te simți veșnic cu o țintă pe spate, să te muți atât de des, să o iei din nou și din nou de la capăt, să încerci să uiti și totusi să visezi în fiecare noapte... grea traumă.
Știți însă ce am obs? În cartea mamei, tatăl are pasaje întregi unde nu este arătat chiar ca un monstru, pe când în cartea fiicei, deși sunt câteva momente în care ea își amintește cu plăcere de tatăl ei-iubitor, este subliniat clar si concis faptul că toate s-au întâmplat din vina lui, că el a fost cel care a distrus familia și că pt o chestie religioasă/doctrină politică, a dat la o parte tot ceea ce era frumos în viața lui. Nici eu nu aș fi vrut să mai am vreodata de-a face cu el, așa că nu o invinovatesc pe copilă absolut deloc.
Ce sa zic, Betty și Mahtob au fost norocoase până la urmă. Au reușit să scape, să-și găsească un nou drum, dar multe nu reusesc. Asta e adevarata tragedie. Poate noi ca oameni avem ceva de învățat din asta.
Scriitura este în același ritm ca al primei cărți, dar se vede oarecare diferență de perceptie. Am citit-o la foc automat, pt că îmi doream să aflu ce s-a întâmplat cu ele și încotro li s-au îndreptat pașii.
Încă nu am văzut filmul, dar nu sunt sigură că îmi doresc să o fac. Poate cândva.
5 stele. O carte, o lecție despre renastere și regăsirea de sine...

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful follow-up to Betty Mahmoody’s books, “Not Without My Daughter” and “For the Love of a Child.” In fact, of all three books, this one is my favorite. I loved reading the story from Mahtob’s perspective and could hardly put it down. I found it very engaging from the beginning and I went through it quickly. Mahtob strikes me as a beautiful, compassionate soul who, despite all that she has gone through, seems to feel no bitterness whatsoever. Her resilience and faith are incredible.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“As hard as I fought to hold on to my anger, to continue to hate my dad, the tugging of the good memories eventually found an inroad to my heart. No one is all good or all bad. The reality that my father would forever be a part of me was inescapable. A big part of making peace with myself was rediscovering the good in him and claiming that as my inheritance. The act of forgiving wasn’t like flipping a switch—forgiven . . . unforgiven . . . forgiven . . . unforgiven . . . forgiven.”

“It was baffling to me that some people viewed our story as an anti-Iranian or anti-Muslim statement. That simply was not the case. The story is nothing more than an account of a piece of my family’s journey. If anyone reflects poorly on Iran and Islam, it is my dad for doing what he did, not Mom or me for talking about it. Even so, it’s unfair to judge Iranians or Muslims by my dad’s behavior.”

Finally, when she talks about her struggles with Lupus:
“The body is reached through the spirit. First you have to heal the soul. Then you can work on the body.”

[Yibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book.
It’s been years since I read Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody, and I’ve been haunted by it ever since. It was one of those stories that you just never forget. You really should, I could even say, must read that one first. Especially, as it didn’t really have an ending. If you’ve read it, you know what I mean. They were free but not safe. They were home but on the run. I didn’t read, or know about, For the Love of a Child her second book. This was the book that finally gave it a sense of conclusion for me.
I didn’t even read the synopsis, let alone note the publisher and so was completely surprised by how her story turned out, very pleasantly surprised. Not that everything was easy after her mother rescued her. It’s heartbreaking to read what she went through year after year. Despite it all, she has such an incredible joy. It’s not a cheap hilarity, nor is it an unrealistic focusing on only the good. Rather it’s a joy built on the belief that God has all under his control. That was what made this book so wonderful to me. She knows God’s love. With certainty, she claims a relationship with ‘the Father of the fatherless’. There isn’t a lot of Scripture or even doctrine, but the Gospel was given.
It’s a straight biography. She walks you through her memories starting with what she remembers of the years before and in Iran. Naturally, as she gets older her memories are more vivid and connected. It is fascinating. It really helped close the story from the first book.
How can someone who has gone through so much still carry on let alone thrive? Her answer is so hopeful. I found it very encouraging and I believe you will too.

[hannaღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mahtob Mahmoody ist keine Schriftstellerin, was man natürlich auch am Schreibstil merkt. Das war mir klar und stört mich nicht weiter. Was mich allerdings sehr wohl stört, sind zwei Punkte:

1. Mahtob und ihre Mutter Betty haben ohne Zweifel Schreckliches durchgemacht, was ihnen widerfahren ist, ist ungerecht und entsetzlich. Dennoch st0ße ich mich an Mahtobs schwarz/weißem Weltbild. Der Iran ist schlecht, Amerika ist gut. Für mich zu undifferenziert (obwohl ich es mir nicht anmaße sie dafür zu verurteilen, habe ich doch nie eine ähnliche Erfahrung machen müssen).

2. Die großzügig eingestreuten Kommentare über den christlichen Glauben im Allgemeinen und Mahtobs eigenen Glauben im Besonderen. An und für sich kein Problem, jedoch ist der Ton oftmals belehrend und zu missionarisch für meinen Geschmack.

Alles in allem eine einfach zu lesende, teils langatmige, teils spannende Schilderung einer außergewöhnlichen Kindheit und Jugend.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult to critique this book as it was written in such earnestness and from such a source of pain. The author isn't a writer and I don't detect a ghost writer as the voice seems authentic. With that in mind, I can say that this is a pretty good recounting of her remarkable story. The book was given to me and that was why I happened to read it. Many years ago, I had read the author's mother's book, "Not Without My Daughter", which was a huge best-seller later turned into a movie. That book brought the issue of child abduction across international borders to the forefront. Only a small portion of this book is about the terrifying experience of living in war-torn Iran and then escaping back to the US. Most of the book is about the aftermath: the years of PTSD, the strange brush with celebrity, the ravages of serious illness, and trying to forge a new identity as something other than the little girl everyone has read about. The book is also an exercise in trying to forgive the abuser and purge the terrible memories. The publisher is a Christian house. So, there is a sprinkling of the author's Christian faith. Though she is more dogmatic than I am, I was comfortable with that most of the time, but I do admit to cringing on several occasions. Don't read this if you are turned off by Christianity. My fear was that this might be anti-Islam or anti-Iran. The author bent over backwards to avoid that, and for that, I gave her a lot of credit. She has been through so much that I can only wish her the very best.

[Ty-Orion · Rating 1 out of 5]

Кофти е на мемоар да слагам 1 звезда, но няма как да дам повече на книга, която след първата четвърт съм започнала да прехвърлям.

"Не без дъщеря ми" беше сензация през 90-те и почти не познавам жена, която да не я е чела. Книгата изпълни своята функция - заговори се за рисковете при смесени бракове с мюсюлмани, една тема, която дотогава не е била на дневен ред. Дори и сега, 30 години след излизането ѝ, пак е първото нещо, за което се сещам като чуя за подобни бракове.

"Най-сетне свободна" е историята на дъщерята от "Не без дъщеря ми" - Махтоб. Мисля, че авторката ме загуби още на първите страници с обилните си спомени, които има от 4-годишна възраст. Въобще не вярвам, че някой може да има такива подробни спомени на такава ранна възраст. Нататък следва много вайкане, самосъжаления, сериозни здравословни проблеми и най-вече - обилна религиозност. Почти на всяка страница се говори за Бог, пастори, молитви и бъка от библейски цитати. Много досадно. Стилът е сантиментален и се точи като локум с някакви дребни и незначителни случки.

Като цяло с нищо не допринася тази книга към историята на семейството, явно става дума само за пари. Те вече всички се изказаха по темата - в книги, филми, лекции. Ама че цирк направи това семейство от драмата си, добре платен цирк обаче. Е, сама съм си виновна - любопитна бях какво се случва с това девойче. Вече знам. Сега очаквам книга от внуците, братовчедите, съседската котка и т.н.

[Kelly Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is almost a sequel of sorts to Not Without My Daughter, from Mahtob's perspective. If you've ever wondered about what happened to Betty and Mahtob Mahmoody after the events of that book/movie, this is for you.

You may think you know the whole story just from reading (or watching) Not Without My Daughter, but not surprisingly, Mahtob's story is different from Betty's. (Obviously, right? Because who doesn't see things differently as a child than as a grownup?) It's bigger value, though, is in letting us know what happens after they get back to the states and about the rest of their lives up to this point.

It's also (as you might expect) an incredibly inspiring story. It's incredible to think of what the two of them survived, especially in light of the fact that they both seem to be incredibly kind, giving people.

Recommended.

[Jeanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can escape but are you ever free

The story of Mahtob and her mother's escape from her abusive father in Iran is gripping, sad and horrific. Told from Mahtob perspective as she grew up loving her father until her father changed and moved his family back to Iran. Once in Iran he abused and held his wife captive until they escaped. Mahtob sense of who she is quite remarkable and impressive. Her mother had bestowed on her daughter a very strong identity of her heritage and her independence.

I do have to say that after awhile, the story left me exhausted and I think due to Mahtob's relationship with her father that has never been resolved. A validation on both parties (Mahtob and her father) over took Mahtob's testimony. The exhausting part is there is no true freedom in Mahtob's testimony.

A Special Thank You to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about the life of Mahtob, a story about her power of forgiving her father.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

recencie kan spoilers bevatten.

In een woord geweldig! Wat een prachtig en oprecht boek ondanks het loodzware onderwerp van een ontvoerd kind. Het kind uit not without my daughter. Moeder en dochter hebben hun ervaringen op papier gezet. Met overeenkomsten en tegenstellingen. Vanuit volwassenen oogpunt en kinder oogpunt. Een ode aan veerkracht, liefde en vergeving. Vergeving om zelf niet verteerd te worden als slachtoffer.

Ik ben gelovig en onderschrijf dit prachtige gedicht uit dit boek:

Het gedicht van de wever:
Mijn leven is een wandtapijt
Tussen de Heer en mij.
De kleuren kiezen kan ik niet,
dat doet hij voor mij.
Menig keer weeft hij in droevenis
En ik, dwaas en arrogant,
Vergeet dat hij van boven ziet
En ik de onderkant.

Pas als het weefgetouw zwijgt,
de schietspoel stokt tussen het garen,
rolt God het canvas uit
en zal Zijn motieven openbaren.

Even onmisbaar zijn de donkere draden
In de vaardige hand van de Wever
Als de draden van goud en zilver
In het patroon van deze Gever.

Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)

Enkele fragmenten uit het boek:

- Machtob betekend maanlicht. -

- "Nee," zei ik grinnikend. "Ik speelde de hoofdrol."-

- Er wordt altijd gezegd dat de keuken het hart van een huis is, en de keuken is inderdaad een van de weinige constanten in mijn leven geweest. -

- Met elk woord ging hij luider praten en verstevigde hij zijn greep". Je blijft tot aan je dood in Iran!". -

- Stel nou dat ik dit keer niet kon voorkomen dat hij haar een injectie gaf? Stel nou dat hij mijn mammie doodmaakte? Ik vrat me op van de zorgen.-

- Alsof ik niet al met genoeg angsten leefde, kwam mijn vader op een middag met een afschrikwekkende mededeling: de volgende dag moest ik naar school. -

- Ze bad dat hij haar op een dag alleen naar de markt zou laten gaan, dan kon ze misschien eindelijk een manier vinden om uit onze gevangenis te ontsnappen. -

- De winkelier had meegeluisterd. Hij zij tegen haar:" U zit in de problemen: ik wil u helpen". -

- Hoe wanhopig ze ook was ze zou nooit zonder mij weg gegaan zijn en ondanks haar wanhoop had ze genoeg respect voor mij als persoon om mij mijn eigen beslissing te laten nemen. -

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you read "Not Without My Daughter"? I confess I haven't, but apparently it's a very popular book, and then movie too. It's Betty Mahmoody's story of how she and her 5-year-old daughter escaped their brutal husband and father in Iran, sneaking out and traveling precariously over mountains. Even on returning to America, life wasn't easy, because "Moody," as the husband/dad is known, keeps trying to get his daughter back.

Mahtob is that daughter, now grown and in her 30s, and this is her version of her life story. Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for providing me with a review copy.

I didn't really enjoy the beginning of the book; Mahtob zigs and zags back and forth with her timeline, and describes many scenes as just "viewmaster-like" scenes; makes sense that many of her memories from so long ago are just impressions, but it made for a difficult read. As she got older and the book continued, I enjoyed the story more. I really felt bad for her, living for years with people stalking her (it seems odd that her dad was so extremely persistent, and was able to have people follow her, break into houses, etc. - but apparently it's true). I actually felt relieved to read that he died in 2009. She also has faced many issues as she lives with lupus.

The end of the book didn't feel right to me either; it's a series of letters between her dad near the end of his life, and a family friend. Those just felt unnecessary and even a bit intrusive.

Otherwise though, I enjoyed Mahtob's story and was so glad that she is living safely today, and that she discovered Christ early in her life.

[Infosifter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was curious to know how the authors life turned out after the traumatic experiences of parental abduction she experienced in early childhood. I'm happy to know that she is OK and has a satisfying life. Her Christian faith gives her strength, although for me this sometimes veers into the territory of toxic positivity. For example, she says she's glad to endure her father's continued harassment because it meant that she got to park in a faculty parking lot and this allowed her to see an inspirational bumper sticker. Really? Sometimes it's a good thing to acknowledge that a bad thing is bad and not try to see it as good instead. Of course, when good things come out of something bad it's good to acknowledge them, but that can be taken too far sometimes. Not giving this a rating Because the author is simply sharing her story in response to public interest rather than an overwhelming drive to be listened to.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a bit biased as I read this wanting to know of her experiences in my church's synod's schools, one of which many of my relatives went to, plus she is from my home state. I have not read her mother's book, but this book made me consider how I would have handled life if I had been in her shoes. I am unsure I would have had the grace to forgive as she did her father, especially after the hell he put her through not only as a child but also as a college student trying to establish a life for herself.

I think what I took from her memoir is the importance of our attitude when confronting the horrible things we may face in this life, and forgiveness does not have to mean reconciliation in certain circumstances as sometimes it is more important to protect one's own well-being.

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dreadfully written book. Shame, read her mother’s story years ago (should have known really, that too was a great story, badly written). Preachy and self righteous.

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a true story of how an American mother escaped Iran with her daughter. The book is from the point of view of the daughter. The first 10 chapters or so are on the actual escape. It’s a miracle they were able to escape! The rest of the book was on how she grew up in fear that her dad would come and kidnap her in America. She shared frightening experiences of how he almost was able to do that too. She also shared her journey of learning to forgive her dad of what he did to her mother and her.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of your know of the movie ''Not Without My Daughter''- this is a companion book to that bestseller, an autobiography written by the daughter herself. For the first time, read in print the thoughts and feelings and drama of the life Mahtob lived both during the time in Iran and afterwards. See how this traumatic experience changed her and shaped her. This book is an autobiography but it also raises awareness for several social situations. Last but not least, it is a testimony to the author's Lutheran faith. It also is a wonderful example of how a hurt human being can, with God's help work hard and achieve success despite the troubles endured as a child. Since I have never watched the film Not Without My Daughter or read the book, I can assure all interested readers that this book is worth reading on its own as well. However, now that I have read this book I look forward to reading Not Without My Daughter as well!

The first half or so of this book flowed really well but I found that the remainder of the book was slower. It didn't quite drag, but it didn't have the same consistency and order as the first half. The last portion was more a scattering of thoughts and feelings with no obvious chronological order.

Note: Although the book tries to bring out the author's faith, it will not offend readers of any religion. This is an autobiography and can be read simply as such.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Skirmantė Rugsėjis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Visiškai blankus pirmosios dalies atspindys, visa laimė, kad nebuvo tokia ilga, nes būčiau neįstengusi pabaigti.
Daug atkartojimų, kurie jau buvo papasakoti pirmoje knygoje, be galo daug Dievo minėjimo (man buvo pernelyg jau kišama). Bandoma užmegzti kažkokią intrigą apie tai, kad tėvas bando su jomis susisiekti, kažkoks žurnalistas/kino prodiuseris persekioja, bet viskas taip blankiai, neišbaigtai, kad net suprasti esmę vietomis sunku. Logikos irgi pasigedau (skambučiai iš neaiškių numerių gali būti blokuojami tel.kompanijos, persekiojimą žurnalisto galima pranešti policijai), žodžiu, ne tik, kad buvo nuobodu, bet ir dar neįtikino.
Panašėjo į komercinį bandymą dar kartą sužaisti jau panaudota korta. Labai silpna knyga ir jei skaityti tuoj pat po "Tik su dukra" kaip dariau aš, kol įvykiai atmintyje visiškai aiškūs, tai jausmas, kad mintinai žinai kas pasakojama, o rašytoja neturi užtektinai žodyno išdėstyti tą patį kitaip, įdomiau, savičiau.

[Sandra Heinzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this book as soon as it came out! It's the story of what happened to Mahtob (remember her mother's book, Not Without My Daughter, and the movie starring Sally Field?), from Mahtob's point of view. What a story. But she apparently is a very strong woman, and is doing well in her life today. She's also very beautiful, at age 36 now. I won't tell you whatever happened to her father - you'll have to read the book!

[Nicko D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книгата ме изненада, защото започнах да я чета с резервите, че няма да ми хареса. Първите 70/80 страници това бе така, в началото "Най-сетне свободна" е неуспешен преразказ на сензационния роман "Не без дъщеря ми"; впоследствие обаче разказът на дъщерята ме увлече. Има една интрига - какво се случва с живота й в Америка, след бягството от Иран, как всичко се преобръща, след като майка й написва книгата. Над 20 години двете живеят в постоянен страх, случват се какви ли не психарии, ала действителност ли са те или са плод на страховете или пък въображението им?
Махтоб се разболява тежко - трудно е да се каже дали следствие на преживения стрес в Иран, или лупусът й е бил в гените. 30 години по-късно обаче няма нито едно доказателство, че баща й я е преследвал, че е искал да й навреди, че във всичките психарски ситуации, които тя описва тя той е замесец. Да, Муди я е търсил и е искал контакт с нея, защото му е дете, защото на света историята придоби популярност от "Не без дъщеря ми", заради което той засне филм "Без дъщеря ми", в който обвинява майката за цялата патаклама...
Изключително рядко ми се случва да продължа да чета книга, след като в началото не ми е грабнала интереса и след половината наистина да ми грабне вниманието.

"Човек може да промени живота си, като промени поведението си. Доктор Кауфман ми преподаде добре този урок. Странно, ала по време на лекциите му не излязох от интровертната си черупка и не ми проговорих нито веднъж. Не му казах колко ценя наставленията му и колко безценни са за мен уроците му. Бях мълчаливото момиче, седнало на задните банки вдясно. Той промени живота ми, но сигурно дори не знаеше, че съм в залата. Не вианги съзнаваме как досягаме другите - гл��пава забележка, мимолетна усмивка, неочакван комплимент, житейски урок, преподаден на безименно лице - незначителни дреболии за някого, преломни моменти за другиго.

[Diana Šimčikaitė · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kadangi esu skaičiusi knygą - Tik su dukra.. galbūt tikėjausi kažko daugiau.. išgyvenimų, jausmų, pačios kelionės.. knygoje netrūksta baimės, įtampos, bet trūksta kažko tokio, kas galbūt labai susietų visai tai.. buvo įdomu sužinoti, koks buvo jų gyvenimas grįžus į Ameriką.. nemeluosiu, bet kai kuriais aspektais truputį nusivyliau mama, galbūt tikėjausi truputį daugiau iš jos po tokio išgyvenimo.. nenoriu atskleisti.. knyga nebloga, skaitosi labai lengvai..

[Živilė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labai patiko. Ypač, kad sužinojau kaip sekėsi Betei ir Mahtob toliau gyventi sėkmingai išsivadavus ir pasiekus Ameriką.

[Brittnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember watching the movie "Not Without My Daughter" as a kid and l'll still think about it today. I really enjoyed this memoir as it was told from what the experience was like through the daughter's eyes as well as how it affected her growing up and adult life.

[Деница Райкова]

Има някои книги, които те е страх да започнеш да четеш. Причините за това могат да са много - че не знаеш предварително нищо за тях и те е страх да не се разочароваш; точно обратното - че знаеш твърде много за историята им и точно затова те е страх да не се излъжеш в очакванията си. Или пък това, че вече си чел една версия на събитията в тях и се чудиш дали ти се чете още една.
Причината да се бавя с прочитането на "Най-сетне свободна!" от Махтоб Махмуди беше сбор от всички тези неща. Бях чела книгите на майка й, които помня ясно и до днес, макар да не съм ги отваряла с години. Бяха ме потресли и, честно казано, не знаех дали искам да мина отново по същия път. Освен това, научавайки за книгата на дъщерята, изведнъж се улових, че не мисля за Махтоб като за зряла жена. В мислите и спомените ми тя все още беше малкото момиченце, побягнало от Иран с майка си. Даже в един момент си казах: "Я, малкото момиченце е написало книга!"
След причините идваха очакванията, или по-точно, почти пълната липса на такива. Не знам защо, някак си мислех, че книгата ще е наивно-възторжена, смесица от лоши детски спомени и излияния колко е прекрасно най-сетне да се измъкнеш.
Нищо подобно.
Книгата на Махтоб Махмуди е чудесно написана, със зряло мислене, задълбочени разсъждения, с опити на младата жена да "погледне" вътре в себе си, да разбере себе си, да анализира чувствата и мислите си. Никакъв празен възторг няма в нея - напротив, има правдив и на моменти изключително тежък разказ за дългия път от чисто физическото бягство от Иран до онова... не, не бягство, а по-скоро пречистване от болката, горчивината и омразата, трупани с годините. Хареса ми и ме докосна повече от книгите на майката, защото вижда нещата на други нива. Едно дете, един млад човек, има много по-остри и ясни усещания, и вероятно се чувства по-свободно а анализира - доколкото може - това, което се случва с и около него. Някак по-светла е книгата на Махтоб, въпреки немалкото трудности - душевни, физически, здравословни - пред които тя се изправя. Въпреки преживяното в детските години - а кой знае, може би тъкмо поради това - аз не видях сломен и потиснат човек. Видях борец.
Заглавието на книгата леко подвежда - човек наистина си мисли, че това ще е просто разказ за радостта от свободата. Да - книгата е И това. Но свобода не само физическа, свобода от бащата-тиранин. А свобода от страха, свобода на мислите, на чувствата, на съзнанието. Свобода, която няма чисто физически измерения, и която не зависи от мястото, където живееш, и разстоянието, което те дели от онзи, който някога е опитал да ти отнеме онази, физическата свобода. Свобода, която никой не може да ти "даде" - трябва да си я вземеш, да си я извоюваш.
Книгата ми хареса много, и я препоръчвам на онези, които познават историята на Махтоб и Бети от "Не без дъщеря ми" и "От любов към дъщеря ми". Но не препрочитайте отново първите две, преди да прочетете тази. Не се потапяйте отново в техните тежки събития. Прочетете направо тази - защото тя е книга, изпълнена с надежда и светлина.

[Sidonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daca ati citit "Numai cu fiica mea", cu siguranta stiti cine este Mahtob. Aceasta carte este versiunea ei despre suferinta si trauma suferite odata cu rapirea ei de catre tatal musulman. Este cutremurator sa vezi prin prisma unui copil tot cea ce a insemnat Iranul mistuit de razboi al acelei vremi si mai ales sa vezi ce impact au actiunile tatalui tau care este unul violent, razbunator, manat de rautate si ura impotriva crestinismului si al Americii.
Inca odata mi-am dat seama ca religia te poate influenta, te poate conduce si te poate domina pana la cel mai inalt nivel, fanatismul religios este o boala fara doar si poate.
Moody a fost un om rau si violent, din pacate nu s-a cait nici pana in ultima clipa a vietii lui , ba mai mult a prezentat lumii o versiune a lui mincinoasa si cred ca pana la urma el chiar a crezut ca faptele s-au derulat asa cum sustine el. Nu e de mirare ca Mahtob nu a mai dorit niciodata sa reia legatura cu el, desi in sufletul ei a gasit iertarea.
Este cumplita violenta domestica, nicio femeie niciodata nu ar trebui sa treaca prin asa ceva, iar pentru un copil de cinci ani, sa treaca prin ce a trecut Mahtob poate fi traumatizant pentru tot restul vietii tale de adult.
Este o carte care te trezeste la realitate, din pacate inspirata din viata unei femei care a iubit candva un barbat ca totii altii.
Betty este una dintre cele mai puternice femei despre care am citit, este o mama devotata si iubitoare si o admir pentru curajul ei de a face cunoscut lumii acea parte a islamului ascunsa vazului crestinului de rand.
Din nefericire, cazul ei nu este singular, au loc rapiri de copii de catre tatii lor, despartiti de mama si sechestrati in tara natala, poate in fiecare zi, mai ales in America.
ESte o marturie care trebuie aflata. Cititi-o!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in my teens when I first read Betty Mahmoody's story and it stuck with me. When I viewed the movie, I was struck by how they had downplayed the abuse for the movie. When I read Mahtob's story, I was once again struck by it. What brave women!

These two women, experienced horror. They survived. But not only survived, they became conquerers through it all. They did not allow it to embitter them, but instead sought out to enrich others lives. Mahtob became a mental health professional, while her mother fought to change policy and promote safety for others in her position.

As much as I hated to see their experiences, this book is amazing! The letter at the end was one that I would say was a work of art. She is the prime example of forgiveness, love and care, yet she never spoke to her father again. She was able to remember the things she loved about him, the culture, the food and yet reject the evil narcissistic and abusive behavior that separated her from him. She, despite his evil and the harm he did to them, conquered and went on with her life.

I loved how she pointed out that it didn't mean that they were healed because they forgave. It did not mean they had a relationship with her father, even as she prayed for him. Most of all, I loved seeing the relationship with God that grew through her years afterwards.
This is only my third book of 2016, but I can tell you now, it is going on the top reads of the year already. What an incredible, life changing story! If you have not read "Not without my daughter", check it out as well, but don't miss reading this incredible book as well.

[Suzanne Noakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth Reading (Possible Spoilers)

This book captured my attention since I'd seen the movie Not Without My Daughter. Some of the other reviews expressed disappointment in My Name Is Mahtob and I concede that it reads like a blog or a journal perhaps more than a book. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The narrative in this way reads as more authentic than had it been more highly polished and her story vibrates with truth.

Particularly compelling were the last chapters detailing the correspondence between Mahtob and her father's best friend. Watching the thought process of an abuser follow the same convoluted paths as all the other abusers before him and be privy to how Mahtob internally dissected this and skewered the lies one by one was gratifying. I was cheering by the time she finished.

Those who have experienced their own Mahmoodys or work with those who have will likely find a sense of appreciation for Mahtob's healing journey and encouragement at her ability to achieve that peace.

[Alycia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting to read another part of this story. I remember when my mom took Not Without My Daughter out of the library when it first came out and being fascinated by Betty's story. When I got older, I found For the Love of a Child and enjoyed that book even more.
The amount of grief these women have had to endure years after their escape is insane. I just don't understand the constant home invasions and fear.
I thought Mahtob did a really good job of presenting her strong faith without it coming across as preachy. I wish she had defended herself during college when she was shot down by professors and classmates but maybe this is the best defense. I hope my students never describe me as someone with stringy hair, let alone ignorant!

[Julia Eberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Interesting and Honest Look at A Personal Struggle

I had read her mother’s book many years ago. So , I was interested to read about her struggles. I found her honesty refreshing and the story captivating. I read it for hours on end as a diversion to the pain from a difficult root canal. It helped, too! I give it only 4 stars because as a Christian with a personal relationship with Christ, I think she has relied too much on psychology and not enough on the Bible. While her faith is refreshing, she has only scratched the surface of what the Bible has to say about her circumstances. I pray she finds someone who is trained in Biblical Counseling. Then she can truly be free.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a literarily pleasant and intellectually interesting read. We are accustomed to hearing major headlines and then letting the aftermaths of news stories fade away -- but here we are taken inside a girl/ young woman's life as she deals with the aftermath of a serious trauma, and as she learns and grows through the new challenges that life throws her way. It is clearly written, and I can recommend it as an undemanding, though still affecting, biography.