goldengirl13's review
5.0
Excellent book!
I remember watching the movie Not Without My Daughter when I was younger, so I was intrigued when I stumbled across this book, as I had wondered what life was like after they escaped Iran. It definitely did not disappoint. Mahtob’s story is amazing and so interesting. I could not put this books down once I picked it up, as it was so well written that I was drawn in to her story. She tells her story with a grace and peace that amazes me, especially when talking about her time in Iran and her father. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has heard of her story or is interested in learning more about it.
I remember watching the movie Not Without My Daughter when I was younger, so I was intrigued when I stumbled across this book, as I had wondered what life was like after they escaped Iran. It definitely did not disappoint. Mahtob’s story is amazing and so interesting. I could not put this books down once I picked it up, as it was so well written that I was drawn in to her story. She tells her story with a grace and peace that amazes me, especially when talking about her time in Iran and her father. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has heard of her story or is interested in learning more about it.
athenany's review against another edition
3.0
Mahtob Mahmoody has an incredible life story and the beginning of the book is by far the most interesting part, that which overlaps with "Not Without My Daughter." Unfortunately the rest of the book is not particularly compelling. I'm very glad to know she has found peace but a follow-up article would have been sufficient, in my opinion. The first part of the book is a page turner, but for obvious reasons it is not as clear and in-depth as her mother's books.
eemleestenschrijft's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
micasreads's review against another edition
3.0
Mahtob Mahmoody is known as a primary character in the book and the movie "Not Without My Daughter." Through that novel, we read about what happened in Iran through her mother's eyes, but in this book, we hear Mahtob's story and how she lived her life under constant concern that her father would find her. She expresses that through religion she was able to find forgiveness for her father.
Seeing what happened in Iran through Mahtob's eyes was extremely interesting. People tend to forget that children are sponges and absorb everything around them. Her story validates everything previously printed. Reading how what she experienced in Iran caused her to live her life always looking over her shoulder was heartbreaking. She has grown into an intelligent, sensitive woman who only wants to live her life. I found the book too religious-heavy for my liking and she could have used more editing as there were times the reading became sluggish. If you ever wondered what happened after Betty and Mahtob returned to America, this book is for you.
thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
Betty Mahmoody wrote about the incredible story of how she and her daughter Mahtob were held captive in Iran by her husband and escaped in Not Without My Daughter. My Name Is Mahtob is the story of life after the unimaginable ordeal. The author explains how she lived in constant fear of being re-abducted, her panic attacks and nightmares, and her triumph over it all.
shannanh's review against another edition
4.0
I've heard of the movie, "Not without my Daughter" but never seen it. It was interesting to read the daughter's perspective.
joannelw's review against another edition
2.0
Zoals bijna altijd wel met waargebeurde verhalen......het verhaal is interessant, maar het leest gewoon niet lekker. Dat bewijst maar weer dat niet iedereen een goed boek kan schrijven.
Ik hoop in ieder geval dat het leven van Mahtob én haar moeder zich in rustiger vaarwater bevindt!
Ik hoop in ieder geval dat het leven van Mahtob én haar moeder zich in rustiger vaarwater bevindt!
lilopalu's review against another edition
4.25
I read "Not Without My Daughter" back when and also watched the movie even though I was on the younger side for such a story then since, as I realised while reading this book now, Mahtob Mahmoody and I are pretty much the same age. So, when I stumbled accross this book, I was intrigued and it was a really interesting memoir to read. I really like that this book focusses mostly on what came after their escape from Iran. I didn't know that they lived in fear so long and I am amazed how they managed to cope with everything.
The religious references where sometimes a bit much for my taste but it made sense to me why religion has played such an integral part in her life and that this is relfected in the memoir. Overall, the story was well written and a good an interesting read.
The religious references where sometimes a bit much for my taste but it made sense to me why religion has played such an integral part in her life and that this is relfected in the memoir. Overall, the story was well written and a good an interesting read.
skigirl1689's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Remember the book "Not Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoody? This new book is written by Betty's daughter Mahtob, and is the recounting of their escape from Iran after being taken there under false pretenses by Betty's husband Sayyed Mahmoody. This is a very quick read, but don't discount quick as being fluff. Mahtob's emotional journey did not end when her and her mother came home to America. They were constantly on guard against being re-abducted and the fear was real. She was followed, had her several of her homes broken into and went so far as to register at Michigan State University under an assumed name. Who knew that reading a memoir could be so suspenseful.