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A review by shahrun
A Promise to Nadia: A True Story of a British Slave in the Yemen by Zana Muhsen
4.0
This book summarised the story begun in Sold (by these authors) & Without Mercy (Sold's companion book, written by Zana's Mother), then brings everything up to date (as of 2000). Having very recently read the two previous books, I was disappointed by the large amount of recapping. But considering the time gaps when the books were originally published, I see it was necessary.
I felt Zana was missing from Sold. However, in this one it feels like time has done some healing a was able to be more open, which filled the pages of this book with her. She is very candid and honest about her life, which must have been very hard. It made for much more interesting reading. She answered many of the questions which sprang to mind whilst reading the previous books.
She also brings up some very valid points about why her and Nadia were not helped immediately. And why all their attempts to get anywhere are constantly thwarted. It really feels like a conspiracy against them. Makes me wonder what's going on that we don't know about.
The heart breaking thing for me in all of this was Nadia. She was no closer to being free by the end of the book. I've been doing some digging online, which has generated mixed messages. Some sources say she was free, and others dispute it. What did surprise me was the lack of any real information at all. No website to generate support or share updates. Nothing from the family. Zana and her mother both said they would never stop until Nadia is free... so does the current silence mean she is? It would just be nice know their years and years of dedication to the cause finally paid off.
Something else that has puzzled me is there is no trace at all of the charity her mother mentions starting in Without Mercy (of which there is no mention at all in this book - surprising, as it seemed a bit of a feature Without Mercy).
I felt Zana was missing from Sold. However, in this one it feels like time has done some healing a was able to be more open, which filled the pages of this book with her. She is very candid and honest about her life, which must have been very hard. It made for much more interesting reading. She answered many of the questions which sprang to mind whilst reading the previous books.
She also brings up some very valid points about why her and Nadia were not helped immediately. And why all their attempts to get anywhere are constantly thwarted. It really feels like a conspiracy against them. Makes me wonder what's going on that we don't know about.
The heart breaking thing for me in all of this was Nadia. She was no closer to being free by the end of the book. I've been doing some digging online, which has generated mixed messages. Some sources say she was free, and others dispute it. What did surprise me was the lack of any real information at all. No website to generate support or share updates. Nothing from the family. Zana and her mother both said they would never stop until Nadia is free... so does the current silence mean she is? It would just be nice know their years and years of dedication to the cause finally paid off.
Something else that has puzzled me is there is no trace at all of the charity her mother mentions starting in Without Mercy (of which there is no mention at all in this book - surprising, as it seemed a bit of a feature Without Mercy).