Not Without My Daughter - Betty Mahmoody, William Hoffer

Advantages: a look at another culture through the eyes of the west
Disadvantages: sections which are hard work to read

...never said if they chose not to go or if they were never given the option, which I would have liked to have seen mentioned. The frightening thing about the book is that although it was written and published back in 1988 it is still relevant, Iran is still a very much closed country and the region is still in turmoil, though few (if any) bombs currently drop on Tehran the image of the country is inextricably linked with an atmosphere of fear and ...
...feels quite uncomfortable, Im sure not all Iranians living abroad are going to take their wives 'home' and keep them there, but equally it happens. I cant recommend this wholeheartedly because of the awkward first sections and similar stories from women in the Middle East have been told far better by other authors, though few seem to be as honestly told as this one, but if you hsve any interest in the region, or womens lifestyles and how things differ ... Read review

Advantages: A very compelling "real" story
Disadvantages: Its impossible to put down

...his friends. Moody has not lived in Iran for over 25 years, and has become americanized! Betty and Moody marry, live a very rich life in America with their eventual daughter Mahtob, and Betty's two sons from her first marriage. When Moody eventually suggests a trip to Iran to meet his family, Betty has doubts, but after Moody swears on the Koran, that he will not force Betty to stay anywhere she does not want to, Betty reluctanly gives in, and ...
...the hands of her husband, not allowed to go out on her own, not allowed to speak to her family in America, at some stages Moody even takes her daughter away from her. Throughout the book, Betty never gives up, her pure determination and love for her daughter drive her to find a way to get them both out of Iran. The life they lead is complex, and to even start to understand, that the embassy cannot do anything to help, or that she cannot just jump ... Read review

Advantages: Tense and inspiring story.
Disadvantages: You won't want to put it down for too long.

...and the elements..... It is a story about the will to overcome, against the odds. And is very tense in parts, it also shows that Betty is not a perfect human being, making wrong decisions in life just like the rest of us. Definitely worth reading! ... Read review

Advantages: Eye opener. You wont put it down
Disadvantages: sad, distressing

...to his friends. Moody has not lived in Iran for over 25 years, and has become westernised. Betty and Moody eventually marry, and live a happy fulfilling live with Betty's two son's form the previous marriage.Mahtob, arrives a few later, a beautiful baby daugher for Moody (meaning moonlight) and Betty to adore. When Moody eventually suggests a trip to Iran to meet his family, Betty has doubts, and thinks he will keep her there. Moody swears upon ...
...and his family. She is not allowed to go out on her own, not allowed to speak to her family in America, Moody even seperates her from Mahtob as punishments for the slightest thing. If he thinks she has snuck somewhere to contact her family for example. Throughout the book, Betty never gives up, her pure hate for this life and her husband and determination that Mahtob should not be subjected to such stringent values drive her to find a way to get ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent Read - very informative
Disadvantages: Once you start reading you can't stop!!

Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody with William Hoffer is an absolutely amazing book. It took me two days to read it from start to finish - I could not put it down!!! The story is about an American divorcee with two children who meets an Iranian man and slowly but surely falls in love. The two eventually marry and have their own child and things are fine until the Iranian husband has family over visiting from Iran who influence him in turning ...
...they are told they are not returning to America and Betty's not so loving husband informs her that she will live out the rest of her life in Iran. Betty's husband, Moody, doesn't trust her, knowing that she wants to return to America so takes complete control over her life - no phone calls, no going out on her own - no freedom. At one point, he even takes her daughter from her and locks her in an apartment for weeks on end, returning each night ... Read review