Mayada, Daughter of Iraq - Jean Sasson

Advantages: Learn more about the ordinary Iraqi
Disadvantages: You will be sickened by some of the events

...Sati’s teachings and books. Mayada, through her association with Dr Fadil, was able to help people and on several occasions she was able to assist acquaintances in locating the whereabouts (prison) of their loved ones. Dr Fadil didn’t like Mayada asking for assistance but he usually helped because of her status in society. It seems so strange that here was a man who ordered the torture of prisoners and yet he did have a small streak of compassion ...
...she received writing awards from him. The book does have a section showing black and white photographs of Mayada’s family but we do see one of Mayada receiving an award from Saddam. She Interviewed Chemical Ali and saw his true nature – she didn’t like him at all and was horrified at the scenes she witnessed at a “democratic” ceremony. This particular chapter of the book was very disturbing. Mayada’s mother leaves to live in Amman, Jordan as she ... Read review

Advantages: A true story about life in Saddam's time, particulary the prisons.
Disadvantages: Can be very sickening.

It is a true and sad story of a lady from the cream of the Iraq society, with grandparents, both governmental ministers, that have shaped the Iraqi politics. He paternal grandfather a well-known military man and her maternal grandfather an educator and author, and parents were great opposers of Saddam and his Baath party, even though they are sunni too. Just beacuse she has a printer shop got her to prison. A prison which is full of aching hearts ...
...is heart-breaking the way she talks about the lives of those prison in-mates who she got to know well over the time.Each with a story worse than hers. About the torturing of a mother and her toddler watching, or the banker who was called in when the bank manager stole millions and she and other co-workers had to testify to his wrong doings, and then how they took her infant from her. You only need to read the book to know what Iraqis, wether the ... Read review

Advantages: Discovering about Mayada´s rich ancestry.
Disadvantages: Knowing that the story is true and feeling Mayada´s pain.

It is very rare for such a book as this to come along; for it was the first thing to ever pry me away from my favourite shopping city while I was reading it. Marvellously written by, perhaps my most treasured, authoress, I was no longer sitting on a bench in Madrid, but sitting doubled up against a wall in a grimy cell in baladiyat prison, hearing each word from Mayada´s lips. The book itself centres around a period of only about a month as Mayada ...
...is incredibly rich in its description and makes liberal use of Iraqi folklore. In Baladiyat prison, Mayada comes to know the women she is incarcerated with as the "Shadow Women". Mayada is, at the time of the story, a middle-aged woman, divrced with two children, earning a living as a renowned publisher. She is as shocked as her coworkers when one day, her neatly arranged offices, are raided by Saddam´s secret police. The book is filled with charming ... Read review

Advantages: Great detail and insight
Disadvantages: Upsetting in parts

Fantastic Book I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It really is a brilliant read. It gives a deep insight into the war going on in Iraq from a woman's point of view. The torture and pain they go through. It is a great book which is very relevant to today's society. It is extremely interesting and wouldn't want to say a lot about it or else it would just spoil it. You have to read it for yourself to understand it and to realise ... Read review