Burned Alive: A Victim of the Law of Men
31 journalers for this copy...
A must read for anyone who thinks that we should respect religions and cultures unquestionably. What about human rights? The more I read and understand about many Muslim cultures, the more appalled I am (and I thought that I would become more tolerant with knowledge). I am so thankful that I live in the U.S., where all are free. Yes we have had, and still have, our problems, but what a great country, what a great life where we can make choices. For sure, lets remain vigilant to preserve our freedom of speech, press and assembly, among the others. What precious rights these are, to be able to speak out against the things we disagree with, and not worry about being tortured or killed.
Journal Entry 2 by JadaAn at Controlled Release in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Maryland USA on Monday, February 21, 2005
Released 19 yrs ago (2/22/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Maryland USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
To Pyan...
To Pyan...
Arrived in today's mail ... thank you.
Will be starting a bookring.
Here's the description from Publisher's Weekly:
The first true account ever published by a victim of an "honor crime," this shocking, moving, and harrowing tale has already become an international sensation.
Souad was a 17-year-old girl living in a small village in Jordan when she had the misfortune of falling in love -- an emotion that would lead to an unspeakable act of violence and a lifetime of exile from her homeland.
With a childhood marked by hard labor and physical abuse at the hands of her father, who is humiliated by the birth of many daughters and only one son, Souad is desperate to leave home. Enticed into a relationship with a handsome neighbor, her short-lived romance leaves her pregnant. Forbidden to marry until her older sisters find husbands and having brought shame to her family, Souad faces the only acceptable punishment: death.
How her family plots to kill her, her harrowing struggle to survive burns over 90% of her body after her brother-in-law douses her with gasoline and sets her on fire, her dramatic escape from Jordan, and her resolve to build a new life for herself is a tale of heartbreaking drama and remarkable courage.
Here's the description from Publisher's Weekly:
The first true account ever published by a victim of an "honor crime," this shocking, moving, and harrowing tale has already become an international sensation.
Souad was a 17-year-old girl living in a small village in Jordan when she had the misfortune of falling in love -- an emotion that would lead to an unspeakable act of violence and a lifetime of exile from her homeland.
With a childhood marked by hard labor and physical abuse at the hands of her father, who is humiliated by the birth of many daughters and only one son, Souad is desperate to leave home. Enticed into a relationship with a handsome neighbor, her short-lived romance leaves her pregnant. Forbidden to marry until her older sisters find husbands and having brought shame to her family, Souad faces the only acceptable punishment: death.
How her family plots to kill her, her harrowing struggle to survive burns over 90% of her body after her brother-in-law douses her with gasoline and sets her on fire, her dramatic escape from Jordan, and her resolve to build a new life for herself is a tale of heartbreaking drama and remarkable courage.
Okay, here's the list of participants in order:
Emb - Michigan
Breeni - North Carolina
MarciNYC - New Jersey
Noumena12 - Ohio
TJROTH - Washington
Apolonia - Massachusetts
CdnBlueRose - Texas
Rebemdee - California Skipped at her request
YowlYY - England, UK**
**YowlYY, this is being changed from a ring to a ray so please feel free to RABCK, wild release, or whatever else you would like to do to keep this moving when you are done reading it. Thank you.
Please journal the book as soon as you receive it so I know it has arrived safely.
Please read the book, if at all possible, within a maximum of 2-4 weeks. Please be considerate of the others in this ring. If you are not able to read the book within or close to the prescribed time, ask that it be sent on to the next person and then PM me to let me know.
If requested, I will add you to the end of the list so that you will still have an opportunity to read it later.
After you read the book, please journal again with your comments, and PM the next person in line to get their address.
Also, please PM me to let me know the book is on its way so that I can update it's status here and in my profile. A link to the book will be on my profile page and I will be monitoring it's status and updating it.
Thank you to everyone who joined. If you have any questions, please PM me. I always answer my PMs within a day so if you don't hear back, please try again in case the PM didn't go through.
Journal Entry 6 by Pyan at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 28, 2005
Released 19 yrs ago (3/30/2005 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Mailing to Emb ... enjoy!
I look forward to reading this book : ) Thank you :)
This is an incredible story. Very heartbreeaking and horrifying to know that this brutality still continues today. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. Thanks for passing it on to me, Pyan. I will pm Breeni for her address and get the book out to her ASAP.
Received today! Will read and get it moving again ASAP!
Released 19 yrs ago (4/18/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing to MarciNYC. Enjoy! Thanks, Pyan, for the opportunity to read this!
Mailing to MarciNYC. Enjoy! Thanks, Pyan, for the opportunity to read this!
It is hard to imagine suffering as Souad did. This story was absolutely heartbreaking. Although, I was a little confused about one thing. If it is so acceptable to kill women for "honor crimes" in this society, then why were the police so concerned about the girl who was run over?
A surprise in my mailbox today - can you guess I'd forgotten about this ring? *g* I've got one book before this to read, but I should be able to turn this around fairly quickly. If for some reason I hang onto it too long, Pyan knows where to find me. *g*
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read this. Unfortunately, I'm hitting a wall here trying to get past the first couple chapters. I'm passing this on to the next reader -- maybe when I come across this book again (and you know I'm bound to!) I'll be in a better state of mind and will connect with it.
Received this today! Will read it right away! Thanks Marci and Pyan!
This is a terribly disturbing book! I can't imagine this level of pain, heartache, and mental anquish. I could only hope to have the desire to live and ability to endure that Souad has shown.
I just got this book in the mail on Thursday and finished reading it today not realizing that I hadn't even journaled that I got it.
I don't really know how to respond to the book. I guess that I can't even fathom being treated so poorly that the livestock is treated better. I truly hope that the people (if one can call them that) that have inflicted these atrocities on others do at some point in their lives pay for what they have done. The book was well worth reading...Thanks Pyan for putting it out as a ring. I now need to get it off to the next in line.
I don't really know how to respond to the book. I guess that I can't even fathom being treated so poorly that the livestock is treated better. I truly hope that the people (if one can call them that) that have inflicted these atrocities on others do at some point in their lives pay for what they have done. The book was well worth reading...Thanks Pyan for putting it out as a ring. I now need to get it off to the next in line.
Sending off to Apolonia on Tuesday.
This book was waiting for me when I got home from vacation, I will read and journal it asap.
****Minor plot details in this journal entry****
I grabbed this last night to get it started and ended up staying up until 3am. I just finished it, I couldn't put it down. It is such a sad heart breaking story. I agree completely with JadaAn's comments. I have read a couple of books about life in the Middle East and the more I learn, the more horrified I am and the more greatful I am to live here in the United States.
I was happy to see that even though she was scared for life both literally and emotionally that Souad has been able to build a life for herself. I also applaud her courage for bringing this issue to the attention of so many who are unaware that these types of practices occur.
When I read something like this the thought that keeps repeating in my head is why don't these women stand up togther and refuse to accecpt things the way they are? I know there are many who give up everything including there lives for the cause to change things, but how can so many just accecpt things the way they are?
How can a wife and mother who was beaten by her husband turn around and let her son be raised they same way to do the same thing to his wife?
Finally was unable to comprehend how a mother could smother her own baby to death, then I thought about it and wondered if they mother did that simply because she had a daughter that she didn't want , or maybe to spare her from the awful life she knew awaited her?
Thanks for sharing this book Pyan, I think it should be read by as many people as possible. I will send it to Rosie today.
I grabbed this last night to get it started and ended up staying up until 3am. I just finished it, I couldn't put it down. It is such a sad heart breaking story. I agree completely with JadaAn's comments. I have read a couple of books about life in the Middle East and the more I learn, the more horrified I am and the more greatful I am to live here in the United States.
I was happy to see that even though she was scared for life both literally and emotionally that Souad has been able to build a life for herself. I also applaud her courage for bringing this issue to the attention of so many who are unaware that these types of practices occur.
When I read something like this the thought that keeps repeating in my head is why don't these women stand up togther and refuse to accecpt things the way they are? I know there are many who give up everything including there lives for the cause to change things, but how can so many just accecpt things the way they are?
How can a wife and mother who was beaten by her husband turn around and let her son be raised they same way to do the same thing to his wife?
Finally was unable to comprehend how a mother could smother her own baby to death, then I thought about it and wondered if they mother did that simply because she had a daughter that she didn't want , or maybe to spare her from the awful life she knew awaited her?
Thanks for sharing this book Pyan, I think it should be read by as many people as possible. I will send it to Rosie today.
Received today and will try to read and pass along ASAP! Thanks!
This book is going in the mail to YowlYY in England today. I didn't read it. My most sincere apologies to Pyan. My life has been most topsy turvy for some time now and every time I went to pick this one up I simply couldn't bring myself to read something depressing so I bypassed it for fluff, hoping to read it next, shame on me, I know..... I'm sorry, Pyan - I've let down a dear friend, and I really wouldn't blame you if you never sent a book my way again. I don't know what else to say, because sorry never seems to be good enough. I've decided to splurge and put airmail on this one to speed up the last leg of it's journey for you. It should be in YowlYY's hands soon! It's going out shortly this morning.
Just a quick JE to say please don't worry Rosie; I understand and you shouldn't feel you let a friend down. I know life has been extremely difficult for you, and I don't want you to feel bad -- life happens sometimes to all of us. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to send a book your way in the future.
*Sending hugs your way*
*Sending hugs your way*
Just arrived! Thanks first to the ringmaster...or raymaster Pyan, as I see the book changed its mind, and thanks to CdnBlueRose for sending it over the pond...wow...airmail is expensive over there!This book is now the 6th in the TBR pile of rings and rays that reached me in the last week, so it will take a while for me to read it, however, I have already a plan on how to extend the ray in Europe and possibly worldwide. More in my next JE, hopefully to be appearing here in November.
Happy Halloween to all!
Camilla Eriksson/MillanNetPicture © Mike Briner
Oh dear... I am a bit late with my JE, but I hope you all understand...my life has been a succession of rings and rays waiting to be passed on to the next reader, and I had to leave those where I was at the end of the list for last. So, I read this book in two days, mainly because it's very brief, but also because of the style: I understand now why it is so unsophisticated, as it must have been written after a tape recording - Souad is a simple woman who never had the luxury of a school education, and she speaks to us in simple sentences just like she has been doing all her life.
Hers is a shocking tale: I've heard of the crime of honour before, especially tied up with Pakistan, when "kitchen accidents" seem to be common place and young women are killed or badly hurt because of a communal custom in patriarchal societies. But is it something related to the Islam at all? When looking up the website of SURGIR, the organisation that made possible for Souad to leave the West Bank and come to Europe to be cured and start a new existence, it is made clear that this behaviour towards women is not part of the Muslim culture at all, and is not characteristic of a certain religion, since it is practiced by people of different confessions. Going a bit back in time, even in my own country, a century ago, women who did not obey the law of men were endangered, and if not subject to such a horrible destiny, they would certainly have lived as outcasts in the community, or often forced to leave the village. My island has a tradition of matriarchate, thank God, but the influence of the Church, which always will put the man before the woman, had an impact in the life of the communities.
When people ask how is it possible that these women do not object to the way they're treated, the answer that Souad gives is very plausible: how do you object to what is been the only existence they know? We tend to forget that countries and societies develop at a different pace, and in close societies there will always be suspicion for what is new and different - be the way people speak, dress, eat, behave, hence the tendency to marry someone from the same village, the same tribe. Women are also a part of this ancient way of living, and it will take a lot of education brought to the people to have them move on from this barbaric practice.
Now...the ray ends with me, but I would like it to travel more around the world, so I shall gather now more names of interested readers, and the book will be back on the road soon. Thanks to Pyan for sharing, and for all your comments.
Photo taken in the West Bank courtesy of farfuglinn
The bookray continues with the following participants:dolph1n (UK)
teachie (UK)
Sterile (UK)
dododumpling (UK)
angellica (UK)
TexasAngel (UK)
coolboxuk (UK)
sadogs (UK)
Eilan86 (Italy) asked to be skipped
lundi (Netherlands, ships anywhere)
Lobodyke (USA)
Bulan-Purnama (has already a copy of the book, asked to be skipped)
mrsordonez< (Missouri, USA)
Joanthro (Colorado, USA)
sleepymom (Colorado, USA)
ladyveg (Wisconsin, USA)
MysteryMish (California, USA - asked to be skipped)
Karenlea (California, USA)
wyldewomin (does not reply to PMs)
michyj (Australia)
Once arrived in Australia, michyj will take care of further trips that the book will be making within Australia, and maybe to move then to another continent? Happy travelling little book!
Sorry, I thought I had journalled this book when I received it. I just finished it and wow, what an amazing story! I agree with YowlYY, it is nothing to do with Islam in the same way the KKK is nothing to do with Christianity. I have Muslim friends who are horrified that this is happening. I hope that SURGIR continue to rescue more women and girls from this fate. I would like to think that this book can contribute to putting an end to the barbaric crime that is called honour killings.
Journal Entry 29 by teachie from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Thankyou dolph1n this arrived today. I am in the middle of reading a bookring, but this is next on the list. Thanks also for the sample of fairtrade coffee and green tea.
Journal Entry 30 by teachie from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 4, 2006
Souad writes her story in such an unemotional, matter of fact way...women are worth less than a sheep or a cow. The writing is simple but the images are so forceful, it is easy to see how the Muslim women living in that situation accept their lot in life.
It is a rallying call to all people in civilised society to help agencies such as SURGIR to stop the barbaric practice of "honour" killing.
Unfortunately the abuse of women doesn't only take place amongst Muslims or the uneducated and this is another area that society as whole needs to look at ..the protection of women and children in abusive relationships.
This book certainly made me stop and think about how much I take for granted.
I have now contacted sterile and this will be off to her as soon as I get a reply with her address.
It is a rallying call to all people in civilised society to help agencies such as SURGIR to stop the barbaric practice of "honour" killing.
Unfortunately the abuse of women doesn't only take place amongst Muslims or the uneducated and this is another area that society as whole needs to look at ..the protection of women and children in abusive relationships.
This book certainly made me stop and think about how much I take for granted.
I have now contacted sterile and this will be off to her as soon as I get a reply with her address.
Thanks teachie for the book and the notes which arrived this morning safe and well whilst I was at work. I am able to start this book immediately so should not keep it very long. It looks like an interesting read, but not one that I am unfamiliar with. I live in a part of the UK that is densly populated by Asian cultures, in particular the Pakistan and Bangledesh people. Young women are known to disappear, and the concerned are told that they have been sent to the mother country to look after a sick relative. In some circumstances they are never seen again. Honour killings? It is not known. Some women are found, murdered and the relatives are brought to justice. One recent incident was where the young woman in question was murdered and 'folded' into a suitcase. This was then dumped in the river only to resurface and be found. The case is still pending sadly one of many.
As I said in my previous journal entry, I knew about 'honour killings' already. Although Souad's experience happened 30+ years ago now, it still haunts her and blights her days to such an a life altering extent. When I read about female babies not being favoured over boys it brought back memories of a disscussion from a few years back. In the UK it was never deemed acceptable to tell the mother-to-be the sex of her child at the Ultrasound Scan. When they 'relaxed' their attitude, the subject of Muslim women was brought up. If the woman asked what sex the child was, should they tell them? Male babies would be a gift but Female would be a curse and it was reasoned that in all likelihood they would try to abort a Female foetus to try again, next pregnancy, to produce a boy. Birth control and common sense now limits such behavior as cultural changes take place over the years. All that said though this conversation only took place about a decade or so ago and in the UK!!
Waiting for Dododumpling's address to move the ring on to the next member, thankyou for giving me the chance to read a first-hand account of this abhorrant attitude that still prevails in the world. Down to men not religion.
2nd Attempt at Dododumplings address Sunday 12th March.
Waiting for Dododumpling's address to move the ring on to the next member, thankyou for giving me the chance to read a first-hand account of this abhorrant attitude that still prevails in the world. Down to men not religion.
2nd Attempt at Dododumplings address Sunday 12th March.
Journal Entry 33 by Sterile at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (3/14/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I have the address of Dododumpling and will despatch the book tomorrow (Wednesday 15th).
I have the address of Dododumpling and will despatch the book tomorrow (Wednesday 15th).
Journal Entry 34 by dododumpling from St. Neots, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Sunday, March 19, 2006
The book arrived safe and sound on Friday - many thanks to Sterile and my apologies for not journalling sooner. It looks fascinating, if harrowing. I'm part way through another ring book but should finish that shortly and hope to turn my attention to this within the next few days.
Journal Entry 35 by dododumpling from St. Neots, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 2, 2006
Reading this makes me glad to have been born and raised in the UK, and I am awestruck by Souad's courage. What more can I say?
Update
Sent off to Angellica on 4 April (second class post).
Update
Sent off to Angellica on 4 April (second class post).
Journal Entry 36 by angellica from Worksop, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 8, 2006
Recd today - thanks.
Journal Entry 37 by angellica from Worksop, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 12, 2006
I finished this a couple of days ago, and I'm still trying to work out what I thought of this.
I can't even imagine what Souad must have gone through. Her courage was unbelievable.
I am lost for words really. I really hope that she's found a satisfactory way of coping with what life has thrown at her.
Thanks for sharing. I have posted it to TexasAngel today.
I can't even imagine what Souad must have gone through. Her courage was unbelievable.
I am lost for words really. I really hope that she's found a satisfactory way of coping with what life has thrown at her.
Thanks for sharing. I have posted it to TexasAngel today.
Journal Entry 38 by TexasAngel from Newark On Trent, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Bit late making this entry - but my computer has been broken. This book was well written and I enjoyed reading it. It was quite shocking to realise that this actually happened to someone.
I have pm the next person on the list and will post the book as soon as I have the address.
I have pm the next person on the list and will post the book as soon as I have the address.
Journal Entry 39 by TexasAngel from Newark On Trent, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 3, 2006
I will be posting the book on my way home from work today to coolboxuk.
Oops, I just realised that I'd forgotten to journal this book when it came in last week. Luckily, it was a quick read - so I'm already journalling my reading of it...(and my husband read it, too, while I was still finishing another - and this is a very rare occasion, my husband with a book I mean...).
This story is incredible and it really should be read by everybody. I'd heard many weird things before about some extremist Muslim societies and their attitude to women, but nothing ever said it as clear as this book. It is just really inbelievable what happened to Souad, and what seems to be quite a normal thing in their culture. For us here in the West, it is just unthinkable to be a slave in every sense of he word to your father first and then to your husband, continuously afraid of beatings and beratings and of somebody denouncing you which could lead to your death without even any proof of its truth. Somehow I find it difficult to call that a "culture" a all...
This story is incredible and it really should be read by everybody. I'd heard many weird things before about some extremist Muslim societies and their attitude to women, but nothing ever said it as clear as this book. It is just really inbelievable what happened to Souad, and what seems to be quite a normal thing in their culture. For us here in the West, it is just unthinkable to be a slave in every sense of he word to your father first and then to your husband, continuously afraid of beatings and beratings and of somebody denouncing you which could lead to your death without even any proof of its truth. Somehow I find it difficult to call that a "culture" a all...
This arrived this weekend, but this has been my first chance to get on the computer. Looking forward to reading this and will hopefully get it on it's way before Christmas.
Well what a book - it just makes you thankful for what we have, but fustrated at the same time that this sort of thing still goes on and is considered normal in some societies.
Eilan86 has asked to be skipped in this ray so have sent this onto lundi yesterday.
Thanks
Well what a book - it just makes you thankful for what we have, but fustrated at the same time that this sort of thing still goes on and is considered normal in some societies.
Eilan86 has asked to be skipped in this ray so have sent this onto lundi yesterday.
Thanks
Sorry for the long silence. I'll try to get the book on it's way asap.
What an incredibly intense history. Ten pages into the book I turned into a women's rights activist ---but must admit that I haven't put my indignation to any practical use. Everyone should read it. But please! don't feed your fear so that it turns into hate.
What an incredibly intense history. Ten pages into the book I turned into a women's rights activist ---but must admit that I haven't put my indignation to any practical use. Everyone should read it. But please! don't feed your fear so that it turns into hate.
I received this in the mail today, and will put it at the top of my TBR pile.
***Note: some plot discussion***
Like many readers, I was very disturbed by this book, although not completely shocked because I was born in Kuwait and my mother had related some of the Middle Eastern cultural norms to me. Frankly, and this is just my opinion, I was more disappointed in some of the judgments and assumptions made by previous readers.
(1)Although there are not (to our knowledge) honor killings in the United States, there are uncountable numbers of women who are daily victims of emotional, physical, sexual, and economic abuse by their partners, just like that experienced by the women in this book. IN addition, untold numbers of women are regularly murdered by their partners, with little or no justice. The only difference that I can see is in the Middle East, the "shame" for women's behavior is placed on the family, where as in the United States, it's placed on the women themselves.
(2) Although there is a superficial religious tolerance in the United States, it varies widely depending on what region you live in, and whether you live in an urban or rural environment. My experience is that almost everyone assumes you are Christian unless you state otherwise, and at least in the South and Midwest, many people don't even realize that other religions exist. We may have "freedom of religion" in our consitution, but I find it's not really there. I define myself as pagan, specifically wiccan, yet have to be very guarded about that in order to keep from being discriminated against and also to stay safe from physical harm.
Anyway, now that I'm off my soapbox, I do find Souad's ongoing ordeal to be horrifying, and am amazed at the strength she found to survive. I also admire the patience, risks, and restraint that Jacqueline and the doctor took in negotiating Souad and her son's exit from the country.
I'll send this to Bulan-Purnama as soon as I get her address.
Like many readers, I was very disturbed by this book, although not completely shocked because I was born in Kuwait and my mother had related some of the Middle Eastern cultural norms to me. Frankly, and this is just my opinion, I was more disappointed in some of the judgments and assumptions made by previous readers.
(1)Although there are not (to our knowledge) honor killings in the United States, there are uncountable numbers of women who are daily victims of emotional, physical, sexual, and economic abuse by their partners, just like that experienced by the women in this book. IN addition, untold numbers of women are regularly murdered by their partners, with little or no justice. The only difference that I can see is in the Middle East, the "shame" for women's behavior is placed on the family, where as in the United States, it's placed on the women themselves.
(2) Although there is a superficial religious tolerance in the United States, it varies widely depending on what region you live in, and whether you live in an urban or rural environment. My experience is that almost everyone assumes you are Christian unless you state otherwise, and at least in the South and Midwest, many people don't even realize that other religions exist. We may have "freedom of religion" in our consitution, but I find it's not really there. I define myself as pagan, specifically wiccan, yet have to be very guarded about that in order to keep from being discriminated against and also to stay safe from physical harm.
Anyway, now that I'm off my soapbox, I do find Souad's ongoing ordeal to be horrifying, and am amazed at the strength she found to survive. I also admire the patience, risks, and restraint that Jacqueline and the doctor took in negotiating Souad and her son's exit from the country.
I'll send this to Bulan-Purnama as soon as I get her address.
Journal Entry 45 by Lobodyke at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, December 6, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (12/14/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Because Bulan-Purnama has asked to be skipped, this went to MrsOrdonez on 12/12.
Delivery Confirmation #0307-0020-0003-3321-6172.
Arrived 12/17.
Arrived safely. This is one I've been wanting to read for a long time. I'm on the last chapter of the book I'm reading now, so this will be next on the list. Thanks for sharing!
The book has arrived safely in Denver! I look forward to reading it.
I was interested in reading this book because I had heard much about it, the controvesy surrounding it's veracity, and the discussion about how representative it may or may not be of Islam. Several commenters ahead of me have discussed the danger of thinking this may be a feature of Islam so I will not dwell on that point. I will only offer the observation that the father figure, as described, was violent to the point of being a psychopath; for me, that was a better explanation for his behavior than his religion or his ethnicity. I suspect the rest of the village knew that as well - perhaps that is why Souad's brother had to find a bride from another village.
More interesting for me has been the debate about whether or not the story is true. Several reviewers have stated that this book was a hoax. (I think it is easy to level this charge when one arrives at the end of the book and there is a bank routing number for donations: a more seeemly approach would have been to list all the agencies and NGOs that are working to end this practice throughout the world.) Now that I have read the book, I think this debate distracts us from the very real message of the book, namely that women all over the world continue to be victims of violence. It is irrelavant if there really is a woman who had this exact experience or not; the main point is to raise awareness of the ongoing violence against women whether it is justified as an "honor killing" or rationalized as "domestic abuse".
Thanks YowlYY for continuing this bookray!
Mailed to sleepymom yesterday.
More interesting for me has been the debate about whether or not the story is true. Several reviewers have stated that this book was a hoax. (I think it is easy to level this charge when one arrives at the end of the book and there is a bank routing number for donations: a more seeemly approach would have been to list all the agencies and NGOs that are working to end this practice throughout the world.) Now that I have read the book, I think this debate distracts us from the very real message of the book, namely that women all over the world continue to be victims of violence. It is irrelavant if there really is a woman who had this exact experience or not; the main point is to raise awareness of the ongoing violence against women whether it is justified as an "honor killing" or rationalized as "domestic abuse".
Thanks YowlYY for continuing this bookray!
Mailed to sleepymom yesterday.
Received the book today and will read it when I am done with the ring I am reading now.
I am so glad I have read this book. I also do not believe it has anything to do with religion as much as cultures. What so many of us in the modern world seem to forget is that the rest of the world does not "progress" at the same rate. Women have had to fight to get our rights everywhere, it is much slower in isolated places like this. The women do not know better so they just accept it. Also, as another journaller mentioned, women are beaten and murdered here in the states. There are still men here (white Christian ones, too) that truly believe it is their right to beat their wives and there are women that stay with them. If you know anything about psychology, you understand that self worth has a huge impact on whether you tolerate things like this. Women that are beaten like this, have no self worth or love so they stay cuz "they deserve it" Our culture doesn't accept it but where Souad is from, it is still accepted so how can we expect them to have the courage to fight for their rights. I hope that someday, it will be taboo there, too, and there will be less of this all over the world. We also know that children that watch their moms beaten, tend to be abusers so the men in areas like this also have no hope of change at this time. Education is imperative to changing things like this.
About the book itself, I cannot imagine the pain she has had to endure and the strength and courage to get to where she is today. I applaud her for speaking out about this taboo subject. Good for her.
I wil be sending this book off to the next person on Monday.
About the book itself, I cannot imagine the pain she has had to endure and the strength and courage to get to where she is today. I applaud her for speaking out about this taboo subject. Good for her.
I wil be sending this book off to the next person on Monday.
Received this today. I'll get to reading it right away. It looks like a quick read.
It made me feel really lucky to live in a society, where I feel safe and protected. It's hard to even imagine what Souad went through and how far she has come in her life.
I will mail out the book, as soon as I hear back from the next participant. I will also post here, when I mail it out.
Thank you!
Update- Mailed on 4/21/08.
I will mail out the book, as soon as I hear back from the next participant. I will also post here, when I mail it out.
Thank you!
Update- Mailed on 4/21/08.
Arrived safe and sound in Australia and I have already set it up as a bookray here!PM ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THIS BOOKRAY
michyj•QLD
gabbysmum • QLD
Melanie2474 • ACT
briz-cowgirl • QLD
kidwrangler • QLD
livrecache • VIC
I had a hard time reading this book because of the unbelievable subject matter, but at the same time I just couldn't put it down. Our world is so far removed from that of Souad's that it is really hard to digest that this still happens. The book is well written, not hiding any information, basically . . .it is what it is. What an eye opener. I'll be passing this book on to the next reader as soon as I get her address. Thanks JadaAn for starting this book on its journey.
MAILED MAY 22 TO GABBYSMUM
MAILED MAY 22 TO GABBYSMUM
I received this book yesterday and I was positive I had journaled its arrival but it appears Iam mistaken so Iam now lol.
I have now finished it,took all my effort not to read it all in one day!
Like others have said what can I say about this book,it was horrific.Still is as these honor crimes are still are going on and women everywhere are being murdered in the name of honor.I cannot even imagine living in fear like they do,if you can call it living!
Iam so happy that Souad has a good life now and surrounded by people who love her.Antonio must be a most patient and loving man,which is just what she needed and deserved.
I have now finished it,took all my effort not to read it all in one day!
Like others have said what can I say about this book,it was horrific.Still is as these honor crimes are still are going on and women everywhere are being murdered in the name of honor.I cannot even imagine living in fear like they do,if you can call it living!
Iam so happy that Souad has a good life now and surrounded by people who love her.Antonio must be a most patient and loving man,which is just what she needed and deserved.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Iam hopeless at remembering things but I have finally posted this to the next person on the ring,so sorry it took so long
Iam hopeless at remembering things but I have finally posted this to the next person on the ring,so sorry it took so long
Received from gabbysmum today, thanks! Looking forward to reading this on my day off tomorrow.
So much for reading this on my day off today, I started it last night and didn't put it down until I'd finished! Such a shocking story; it is amazing that she managed to survive such severe burns given her initial hospital "treatment". I cannot imagine living in a society where practices like these are acceptable, I am so glad Souad has found a new life overseas with her husband and children. SURGIR sounds like a wonderful organisation, I am keen to find out more about them.
Thank you for this bookray, it isn't a book I would normally have chosen to read but I am so glad I did.
Awaiting the next person's address to send on.
ADDIT 22/09/08: Posting to kidwrangler today.
Thank you for this bookray, it isn't a book I would normally have chosen to read but I am so glad I did.
Awaiting the next person's address to send on.
ADDIT 22/09/08: Posting to kidwrangler today.
Journal Entry 59 by kidwrangler from Gold Coast, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
This book arrived today in the mail and will be next in line on Mt TBR. Thanks Bris-cowgirl :)
Journal Entry 60 by kidwrangler from Gold Coast, Queensland Australia on Saturday, December 20, 2008
Gosh, an unforgettable experience to read about. It was really interesting from the perspective of Souad as a survivor with a life, loving family and forgiveness/ understanding in her heart. This is not a book of hatred or revenge (as I vaguely expected) but one to encourage education and support for both victims and the society they come from.
Apologies for the delay. This book was read quickly but then lost amongst the mayhem of toddler and new baby LOL. Will pm Livrecache and pass along.
Apologies for the delay. This book was read quickly but then lost amongst the mayhem of toddler and new baby LOL. Will pm Livrecache and pass along.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Apologies for the slow release of this bookring. Posting to Livrecache.
Apologies for the slow release of this bookring. Posting to Livrecache.
Safely received, thank you.
It'll take me a while to read all the entries. Perhaps I should read the book first.
Many thanks to all who made it possible for the book to make its journey to me (particularly kidwrangler, who sent it to me). I look forward to reading this and sending it off into the wide world again.
It'll take me a while to read all the entries. Perhaps I should read the book first.
Many thanks to all who made it possible for the book to make its journey to me (particularly kidwrangler, who sent it to me). I look forward to reading this and sending it off into the wide world again.
I've just finished reading this book. Like other readers I found it impossible to put down until I had finished.
I don't have much to add to what others have said. It's horrifying that people (women) can be treated like this. I applaud Souad's efforts to make us try to understand the ways of the village of her birth. Understand is perhaps not the right word. For her, her family, her village, it's just the way life is. The fact that Souad managed to escape against all odds, and attains another way of life is truly wonderful. And, that, as well as finding happiness, she still shows the world her physical and emotional scars makes this a very powerful book.
I may offer this as a bookring (again) or put it in the OZ VBB. Thanks to all who brought this book to me.
I don't have much to add to what others have said. It's horrifying that people (women) can be treated like this. I applaud Souad's efforts to make us try to understand the ways of the village of her birth. Understand is perhaps not the right word. For her, her family, her village, it's just the way life is. The fact that Souad managed to escape against all odds, and attains another way of life is truly wonderful. And, that, as well as finding happiness, she still shows the world her physical and emotional scars makes this a very powerful book.
I may offer this as a bookring (again) or put it in the OZ VBB. Thanks to all who brought this book to me.
Selected from the OZ VBB. Once I have address details confirmed, it will be on its way again.
Journal Entry 65 by livrecache at Melbourne, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/16/2009 UTC) at Melbourne, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Claimed from the Oz VBB
Claimed from the Oz VBB
Selected from Oz VBB and received in the mail this week.
