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Ukradnutá: Útek zo Sýrie
Louise Monaghanová prekročila prísne strážené hranice uprostred jednej z najhorších občianskych vojen v histórii Sýrie, aby zachránila svoju šesťročnú dcéru. Uniesol ju vlastný otec, ktorý ju bezohľadne vytrhol zo svojho pokojného domova na Cypre. Pretože sa Louise chcela čo najskôr dostať k svojmu unesenému dieťaťu, predstierala, že sa chce vrátiť k svojmu exmanželovi, že ho stále miluje a budú spolu žiť ako rodina v Sýrii. Čo na tom, že tam práve zúrila vojna?
Odvážne sa vydala na nebezpečnú cestu do moslimskej krajiny, ocitla sa aj s dcérkou v zajatí u svojho exmanžela. Denne dostávali trochu jedla a špinavú vodu a pomaly strácali nádej na vyslobodenie. Len čo sa im naskytla prvá príležitosť, napriek tomu, že Louise bola príšerne dobitá svojím exmanželom a chorá zo špinavej vody, nazbierala posledné zvyšky síl a utiekli.
Unikali cez oblasť bombových útokov a streľby, putovali cez prísne strážené pohorie počas nocí, museli sa spoľahnúť na pašerákov. Napriek veľkému utrpeniu sa im podarilo prežiť. Kniha je skutočnou výpoveďou o tom, čím všetkým museli prejsť, aby si zachránili holé životy.
Odvážne sa vydala na nebezpečnú cestu do moslimskej krajiny, ocitla sa aj s dcérkou v zajatí u svojho exmanžela. Denne dostávali trochu jedla a špinavú vodu a pomaly strácali nádej na vyslobodenie. Len čo sa im naskytla prvá príležitosť, napriek tomu, že Louise bola príšerne dobitá svojím exmanželom a chorá zo špinavej vody, nazbierala posledné zvyšky síl a utiekli.
Unikali cez oblasť bombových útokov a streľby, putovali cez prísne strážené pohorie počas nocí, museli sa spoľahnúť na pašerákov. Napriek veľkému utrpeniu sa im podarilo prežiť. Kniha je skutočnou výpoveďou o tom, čím všetkým museli prejsť, aby si zachránili holé životy.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 18, 2023
Intelligent, capable and attractive Irish woman Louise Monaghan was wood by Syrian playboy Mustafa in Cyprus. Married him and had a child.
Like many Western women who are beguiled and get into relationships with Muslim men Louise was to pay a high price , her life would be made hell but unlike many she got out alive together with her beautiful little daughter May.
Many Western women or girls have ended up dead, others have been pimped and gone through unspeakable horrors.
We need to face up to facts, without being silenced by the wokerati, that many Muslim men treat women, especially White or Western women with horrifical cruelty and contempt.
The signs were there , and other people have been scathing of Louise for being so foolish and not seeing the signs and falling into his hands . But then again with every book about women or girls being abused or cruelly treated or groomed or forcibly pimped on Goodreads, there will be reviewers who condemn the victim and say she brought it on herself , and why did she agree and why did she go back to him etc
You get these comments on memoirs by girls who were groomed and abused and tortured even when they were twelve or thirteen,
The fact is psychopathic men can smell out women or girls weaknesses and insecurities and need for love, Louise was sexually abused as a child. She clearly was vulnerable and susceptible promises of love and protection from a very skillful manipulator.
Her account here was of the abuse and control she endured , as well as that visited on her little daughter May from when May was very small. Right up to the evil Mustafa kidnapping May and spirting her by force to war torn Syria and what Louise endures when she puts her life at extreme risk to have her valuable child back. Her bravery was amazing and so was Mays and may both mother and child know only good things and happiness in the future.
But what I will say is I have noticed some reviewers have viciously attacked Louise here for percieved negative remarks about Islam and Islamic culture. Well after what she went through what do you expect? she experienced the ugly mysoginistic side of Islam . And yes of course women and girls have experienced abuse from those belonging to other religious groups, such as children in Catholic orphanages and the horrific abuses of the Magdalena laundries or by groups of fundamentalist Christian cults , or women or girls who experienced abuse and control in UltraOrthodox Jewish communities too. There are plenty of memoirs an books about this but none of the women wh have written about this have recieved such vitriol from the left and accusations of bigotry , fascism etc. Witness girls in Britain who have been victims of Muslim rape gangs being persecuted and terrorized by feminists believe it or not and by so called ''equality and diversity officers'' . It is really a case of If I criticize Christianity, Judaism , Hinduism or Buddhism I am a critic but if I criticize Islam I am a racist, Islamophobic, far right bigot!
There is a huge global problem of violence and cruelty and rape and murder and subjugation of women among much of Islam and it is being rapidly imported into the West. And yet often the very people who call themselves feminists are silencing us about it.
Like many Western women who are beguiled and get into relationships with Muslim men Louise was to pay a high price , her life would be made hell but unlike many she got out alive together with her beautiful little daughter May.
Many Western women or girls have ended up dead, others have been pimped and gone through unspeakable horrors.
We need to face up to facts, without being silenced by the wokerati, that many Muslim men treat women, especially White or Western women with horrifical cruelty and contempt.
The signs were there , and other people have been scathing of Louise for being so foolish and not seeing the signs and falling into his hands . But then again with every book about women or girls being abused or cruelly treated or groomed or forcibly pimped on Goodreads, there will be reviewers who condemn the victim and say she brought it on herself , and why did she agree and why did she go back to him etc
You get these comments on memoirs by girls who were groomed and abused and tortured even when they were twelve or thirteen,
The fact is psychopathic men can smell out women or girls weaknesses and insecurities and need for love, Louise was sexually abused as a child. She clearly was vulnerable and susceptible promises of love and protection from a very skillful manipulator.
Her account here was of the abuse and control she endured , as well as that visited on her little daughter May from when May was very small. Right up to the evil Mustafa kidnapping May and spirting her by force to war torn Syria and what Louise endures when she puts her life at extreme risk to have her valuable child back. Her bravery was amazing and so was Mays and may both mother and child know only good things and happiness in the future.
But what I will say is I have noticed some reviewers have viciously attacked Louise here for percieved negative remarks about Islam and Islamic culture. Well after what she went through what do you expect? she experienced the ugly mysoginistic side of Islam . And yes of course women and girls have experienced abuse from those belonging to other religious groups, such as children in Catholic orphanages and the horrific abuses of the Magdalena laundries or by groups of fundamentalist Christian cults , or women or girls who experienced abuse and control in UltraOrthodox Jewish communities too. There are plenty of memoirs an books about this but none of the women wh have written about this have recieved such vitriol from the left and accusations of bigotry , fascism etc. Witness girls in Britain who have been victims of Muslim rape gangs being persecuted and terrorized by feminists believe it or not and by so called ''equality and diversity officers'' . It is really a case of If I criticize Christianity, Judaism , Hinduism or Buddhism I am a critic but if I criticize Islam I am a racist, Islamophobic, far right bigot!
There is a huge global problem of violence and cruelty and rape and murder and subjugation of women among much of Islam and it is being rapidly imported into the West. And yet often the very people who call themselves feminists are silencing us about it.
January 9, 2014
Well this is the first abduction book I have read where instead of having sympathy for the mother I just feel angry towards her! She stays with the man who beat her after knowing him for such a short time. She continues to go back to him despite his cheating/abusing ways. Then actually had a child with him. She uses too many excuses to stay with him and marries him despite no longer loving him?!
Frankly I feel so sorry for her child and family for the situation she put them in!
She then says she'd hate her child to have an Islamic burial (why?), that waking up to hear the call to prayer at the mosque terrified her?
She didn't want May conforming to a religion she knew nothing about, yet it's OK to christen her and celebrate Xmas and teach her daughter the hail Mary? Rather hypocritical if you ask me.
To top is all off she ends the book telling us she fell for him because he was the most gorgeous man and even her friends/family/strangers all fell for his amazing looks and charm. Sorry but I've seen his photo and he's not all that. I only read the book to the end to ensure May got home safely. Though I just can't understand why she would go on to tell the whole world in this book that she is now living back in Cyprus where her daughter was abducted from? Bizarre. Her husband was a psycho but she choose to be with him. Her daughter didn't. I just thank God she brought her back.
Frankly I feel so sorry for her child and family for the situation she put them in!
She then says she'd hate her child to have an Islamic burial (why?), that waking up to hear the call to prayer at the mosque terrified her?
She didn't want May conforming to a religion she knew nothing about, yet it's OK to christen her and celebrate Xmas and teach her daughter the hail Mary? Rather hypocritical if you ask me.
To top is all off she ends the book telling us she fell for him because he was the most gorgeous man and even her friends/family/strangers all fell for his amazing looks and charm. Sorry but I've seen his photo and he's not all that. I only read the book to the end to ensure May got home safely. Though I just can't understand why she would go on to tell the whole world in this book that she is now living back in Cyprus where her daughter was abducted from? Bizarre. Her husband was a psycho but she choose to be with him. Her daughter didn't. I just thank God she brought her back.
June 16, 2012
I loved this book.. I grew up with Louise and we were good friends for many years.. She is godmother to my eldest son but life goes on and we lost touch.. my heart broke when i heard the news of her daughters abduction and soared when she got her home to safety... this book is written in her own words and is as gripping as any true life story can be.. i read it in 1 day.. it really does prove that nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.... I hope you enjoy this book as much as i did and i hope that louise and the many other women out there that have suffered as she has can move on with their lives and hopefully escape like louise has..a great read enjoy
July 23, 2013
I picked this up thinking it would be an updated, more recent version of Not Without My Daughter, a book and movie I watched when I was younger that really stuck with me. In terms of the story, it is very similar. Instead of an American woman, Iranian man, and their daughter, this book features an Irish woman living in Cyprus, a Syrian man, and their daughter.
Louise Monaghan is divorced from her abusive ex, but their daughter still has visits with him. During one of these outings, the daughter is kidnapped across borders and into Syria. What follows is a highly emotional story of Monaghan's attempts to get her daughter back. The highlights include an inefficient and often detrimental bureaucracy in all countries involved and some major guts on Monaghan's part.
Though Monaghan's story is terrifying and thrilling, the writing itself leaves a lot to be desired. A lot of it is repetitive and the vocabulary isn't very diverse. She relies on the same descriptor words in many cases. She's not a writer, just a person with a story to tell, so I don't necessarily fault her that. I only mention it because at first I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading just because it felt redundant.
Louise Monaghan is divorced from her abusive ex, but their daughter still has visits with him. During one of these outings, the daughter is kidnapped across borders and into Syria. What follows is a highly emotional story of Monaghan's attempts to get her daughter back. The highlights include an inefficient and often detrimental bureaucracy in all countries involved and some major guts on Monaghan's part.
Though Monaghan's story is terrifying and thrilling, the writing itself leaves a lot to be desired. A lot of it is repetitive and the vocabulary isn't very diverse. She relies on the same descriptor words in many cases. She's not a writer, just a person with a story to tell, so I don't necessarily fault her that. I only mention it because at first I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading just because it felt redundant.
April 30, 2013
I wanted to rate this book higher because I admire Monaghan for sharing her story. I was fascinated to read her descriptions of the places she visited in Syria, and while her descriptions of the physical abuse she suffered were very difficult to read, I appreciated her sharing them, and thought it was not only courageous, but also helpful in understanding how someone could stay with an abusive boyfriend or husband. I am aware of how difficult it is to deal with matters of child custody and domestic abuse in the Middle East, and commend Monaghan for wanting to shed light on the issue.
My two-star rating ("it was okay") reflects the fact that I didn't find the writing itself entirely compelling. Perhaps it was an effort to "stick to the facts" that made it dry, but if the sewage in the streets in Syria is going to be mentioned, I would have loved to have some description of what it looked and smelled like. I wished that conversations that occurred during the book's time frame would have been recreated, rather than just recounted. I also very much wished that Monaghan would have spent some time near the beginning of the book talking about what made her fall in love with her abusive husband, rather than spending a couple of paragraphs on it at the very end of the book. If we had seen her ex-husband through her eyes at the beginning, when she thought he was great, then it might have been easier to understand how she could fall for him and stay with him.
My two-star rating ("it was okay") reflects the fact that I didn't find the writing itself entirely compelling. Perhaps it was an effort to "stick to the facts" that made it dry, but if the sewage in the streets in Syria is going to be mentioned, I would have loved to have some description of what it looked and smelled like. I wished that conversations that occurred during the book's time frame would have been recreated, rather than just recounted. I also very much wished that Monaghan would have spent some time near the beginning of the book talking about what made her fall in love with her abusive husband, rather than spending a couple of paragraphs on it at the very end of the book. If we had seen her ex-husband through her eyes at the beginning, when she thought he was great, then it might have been easier to understand how she could fall for him and stay with him.
August 19, 2017
I actually grabbed this book at the Dollar Store. An easy read, this is the true story of a young girl kidnapped by her father and taken to Syria, his home country. It is mindblowing to think how he was able to do it, the many problems with sytems that allow such thing to ocur, the conditions of a war-torn part of the world, the cultural difference regarding the rights of men and women...
Something happening to my children is my BIGGEST fear. These circumstances are beyond frightening. The determination and extent that Louise Monaghan went through to find and rescue her daughter is UNbelievable. A true and very beautiful testament to a mother's love for her child.
Something happening to my children is my BIGGEST fear. These circumstances are beyond frightening. The determination and extent that Louise Monaghan went through to find and rescue her daughter is UNbelievable. A true and very beautiful testament to a mother's love for her child.
September 8, 2014
This book had potential -- the story was there -- but it was horribly written. A good editor could've reduced the length by at least a third. I found myself getting annoyed with the writer when she complained about the lack of travel soaps at a Turkish hotel near the Syrian border or having to part with her precious makeup case during an escape attempt. TRIVIAL details given the situation. The descriptions of Syria were lacking.
August 27, 2016
Something that struck me very early on, reading this book: It was published less than a year after the events in question. This works both for and against it, as on the one hand the events are obviously clear in the author's mind, but on the other hand there's not much by way of distance to be had.
It must have been an extremely difficult time to revisit, not to mention live through, and that -- along with the author's devotion to her daughter -- certainly comes through loud and clear. The book's also a bit scattered in places, though, and there was a lot left unsaid. Although the author addresses her attraction to her ex briefly, in the last few pages, that felt too little, too late; while I understand that things like not having makeup available or staying in a very second-rate hotel -- matters of comfort -- can feel extremely important when in a stressful/dangerous situation, I suspect that focusing more heavily on the surroundings (what was Syria like? I think all we really learn is that it was dirty and dangerous, no real specifics) would have grounded me more in the setting and let me understand better what the author was feeling.
Chapters three and four, which are background on how the author met her ex and what their life was life together before he kidnapped their daughter, came just when I was getting irritated about the lack of background up to that point (though by the middle of chapter four I wished that info had been worked in more gradually...). There's a lot of material in this book, and I applaud the author (and ghostwriter) for tackling it and attempting nuance.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
It must have been an extremely difficult time to revisit, not to mention live through, and that -- along with the author's devotion to her daughter -- certainly comes through loud and clear. The book's also a bit scattered in places, though, and there was a lot left unsaid. Although the author addresses her attraction to her ex briefly, in the last few pages, that felt too little, too late; while I understand that things like not having makeup available or staying in a very second-rate hotel -- matters of comfort -- can feel extremely important when in a stressful/dangerous situation, I suspect that focusing more heavily on the surroundings (what was Syria like? I think all we really learn is that it was dirty and dangerous, no real specifics) would have grounded me more in the setting and let me understand better what the author was feeling.
Chapters three and four, which are background on how the author met her ex and what their life was life together before he kidnapped their daughter, came just when I was getting irritated about the lack of background up to that point (though by the middle of chapter four I wished that info had been worked in more gradually...). There's a lot of material in this book, and I applaud the author (and ghostwriter) for tackling it and attempting nuance.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
May 14, 2014
As I write this review my sympathy is with Syrians who want a peaceful life. Louise Monaghan’s descriptions of random shooting and violence brought home what Syrians are now enduring.
Louise paid a bitter price for falling in love with a Syrian who, to use a cliché, was a ‘control freak’. Louise’s husband was a womaniser who abused her physically and mentally. Louise divorced him but his outrageous behaviour culminated in his abducting their daughter in Corfu and taking her to Syria.
Regardless of danger, determined to rescue her daughter, May, Louise went to Syria, where she was imprisoned in a filthy house and given little to eat. Eventually, she managed to seize an opportunity to run away from her former husband with their daughter. After incredible hardship they reached Lebanon and flew back to her family in Ireland.
Stolen, Escape From Syria, kept me awake and reading until after midnight. Due to the subject matter I can’t describe the book as enjoyable, but it gripped me from the first page to the last.
Louise paid a bitter price for falling in love with a Syrian who, to use a cliché, was a ‘control freak’. Louise’s husband was a womaniser who abused her physically and mentally. Louise divorced him but his outrageous behaviour culminated in his abducting their daughter in Corfu and taking her to Syria.
Regardless of danger, determined to rescue her daughter, May, Louise went to Syria, where she was imprisoned in a filthy house and given little to eat. Eventually, she managed to seize an opportunity to run away from her former husband with their daughter. After incredible hardship they reached Lebanon and flew back to her family in Ireland.
Stolen, Escape From Syria, kept me awake and reading until after midnight. Due to the subject matter I can’t describe the book as enjoyable, but it gripped me from the first page to the last.
April 21, 2022
I want to write that the main character annoyed me, but the main character is a real person, not a fictional character. I had this book on my shelf for a while so I picked it up. Within an hour I couldn't put it down.
Truly, I read for 6 hours straight, until 2.45am and I had burned myself with the kettle because I just wanted to flip to the next page. (No, joke aside, big burn.... with blisters). I picked up the book the next day and devoured it in one sitting... so two sittings in total.
It was truly an exciting, nerve racking and authentic read. I really enjoyed it. It genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. At times I was angry at the politics, of my own government and others, angry with the protagonist (the real human Louise) and angry that a decade past this book's timeline, theres still war in Syria.
Truly, I read for 6 hours straight, until 2.45am and I had burned myself with the kettle because I just wanted to flip to the next page. (No, joke aside, big burn.... with blisters). I picked up the book the next day and devoured it in one sitting... so two sittings in total.
It was truly an exciting, nerve racking and authentic read. I really enjoyed it. It genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. At times I was angry at the politics, of my own government and others, angry with the protagonist (the real human Louise) and angry that a decade past this book's timeline, theres still war in Syria.
October 2, 2015
An interesting story badly written.
November 26, 2024
Frustrating
Louise could have prevented the whole issue of the abduction, there were so many warning flags and family and friends willing to help her and her child. The book just seems to be full of weak excuses and rambling dialogue trying to justify her terrible decisions. My lack of sympathy or understanding why anyone would do what she did (apart from the rescue of course) did not help me connect with her.
I did feel that some of the commentary was also a little flippantly racist at times. Thank goodness for good people, in every country and every religion.
Louise could have prevented the whole issue of the abduction, there were so many warning flags and family and friends willing to help her and her child. The book just seems to be full of weak excuses and rambling dialogue trying to justify her terrible decisions. My lack of sympathy or understanding why anyone would do what she did (apart from the rescue of course) did not help me connect with her.
I did feel that some of the commentary was also a little flippantly racist at times. Thank goodness for good people, in every country and every religion.
February 12, 2015
I got this book out because for quite a while I've been really interested in Syria and what is going on there, and I've been thinking of the people suffering over there. (I still am).
Louise's story is a sad one, and my eyes were opened wider to see the picture of what is really happening over there. To think that there are so many more people out there experiencing the horrors Louise and her little girl faced is horrific. I admire Louise for standing tall for what she believes is right, and for pursuing May without giving up hope. I'm sure everyone who knows her is overjoyed at their safety now, and I am so happy they got out of the country before anything worse happened to them. Louise's story was quite detailed, and parts of the story did seem to be repeated in different wording, but there's nothing 'wrong' about that, it's just her way of telling her story.
Before reading this book, I had already known Syria wasn't a nice place to go to, but now, I realize Syria is a far more dangerous place than I had already thought it was. I feel for the innocent people and children over there being killed and abused everyday and still think over what I could possibly do to help. I used to believe I wanted to go to the country myself, but then, when I get there, what do I do?
I suppose the only thing to do now is pray.
Louise's story is a sad one, and my eyes were opened wider to see the picture of what is really happening over there. To think that there are so many more people out there experiencing the horrors Louise and her little girl faced is horrific. I admire Louise for standing tall for what she believes is right, and for pursuing May without giving up hope. I'm sure everyone who knows her is overjoyed at their safety now, and I am so happy they got out of the country before anything worse happened to them. Louise's story was quite detailed, and parts of the story did seem to be repeated in different wording, but there's nothing 'wrong' about that, it's just her way of telling her story.
Before reading this book, I had already known Syria wasn't a nice place to go to, but now, I realize Syria is a far more dangerous place than I had already thought it was. I feel for the innocent people and children over there being killed and abused everyday and still think over what I could possibly do to help. I used to believe I wanted to go to the country myself, but then, when I get there, what do I do?
I suppose the only thing to do now is pray.
October 5, 2013
Being Northern Irish I remember hearing this is the news. The whole way through the book I just wanted to scream the warning signs where there. But I can certainly understand how easy it is to get drawn into a violent marriage. I just hope that because of this book she will have taught other women a valuable lesson. This book is quite similar to the story of Not without my daughter.
The book was very well written and I read it really fast because I kept wanting to see how the story ended. I don't recall hearing at the time how it all ended. As soon as I began to read it I thought this story is fimilar it was only when I googled I recognized the woman. I guess the only thing I didn't understand is she kept returning to Cyprus and I think she is either incredibly brave or stupid to return back to the scene of the crime. Nothing could stop him some point returning and attempting to take the kid again. I just wonder if she is always looking over her shoulder and what kind of life. Her kid sounds like an amazing brave little girl. And I do wish them a happy ending. Some valuable lessons from this book that all western women thinking of getting into a relationship with someone from another culture. Lets hope it gets through the dangers.
The book was very well written and I read it really fast because I kept wanting to see how the story ended. I don't recall hearing at the time how it all ended. As soon as I began to read it I thought this story is fimilar it was only when I googled I recognized the woman. I guess the only thing I didn't understand is she kept returning to Cyprus and I think she is either incredibly brave or stupid to return back to the scene of the crime. Nothing could stop him some point returning and attempting to take the kid again. I just wonder if she is always looking over her shoulder and what kind of life. Her kid sounds like an amazing brave little girl. And I do wish them a happy ending. Some valuable lessons from this book that all western women thinking of getting into a relationship with someone from another culture. Lets hope it gets through the dangers.
August 21, 2017
I found the book a really good read but it's incredibly hard NOT to judge a mother that put her daughter in harms way time and time again, even though she had multiple chances to escape him after she found out he was being abusive to her daughter and she her child was terrified of him.
What riled me up was near the end she blames the whole fiasco on her husband for kidnapping her child when she would never have been in this situation in the first place if when he went back to his REAL wife and children in Syria the first time. left her and ignored her for 6 months, she didn't start taking his calls again!
She had a chance then to move on from him, let him stay with his first wife and kids, but she didn't.
I'm sure many of us have done stupid things for love, I am one of them but to blame him the entire time I think she needs to look at herself too and admit half the blame also lies on her.
What riled me up was near the end she blames the whole fiasco on her husband for kidnapping her child when she would never have been in this situation in the first place if when he went back to his REAL wife and children in Syria the first time. left her and ignored her for 6 months, she didn't start taking his calls again!
She had a chance then to move on from him, let him stay with his first wife and kids, but she didn't.
I'm sure many of us have done stupid things for love, I am one of them but to blame him the entire time I think she needs to look at herself too and admit half the blame also lies on her.
August 23, 2014
At first I found the writing to be disappointing, but whenever it distracted me, I put an Irish brogue in my mind and could accept the phrasing and repetiveness as the personality of the author and I imagined her talking to me over coffee. As the book progressed, though, there were less and less instances where I had to employ that tactic. My aim in reading the book was to learn a little about Syria, but the story is really about an abusive relationship with Syria as a backdrop. Louise seemed so meek and passive in the beginning, yet so strong in the end.
Good read. I'd recommend it to folks who liked Dave Pelzer's books.
Good read. I'd recommend it to folks who liked Dave Pelzer's books.
December 17, 2018
هذه "كاتبة" تبحث عن الشهرة!! وأظنها زيفت بعض الحقائق! في البداية تشكر بعض المسؤولين في وزارة الخارجية السورية، وهي التي كانت طوال الكتاب تشكو من تعاملهم مع قضيتها! ثم من قال لها إن سوريا دولة إسلامية متشددة؟ وإن كنت أقبل أن ترى ثيابها مختلفة عن ثياب نساء إدلب وكانت ستبدو شديدة الاختلاف عنهن، لكن هذا الأمر لا ينطبق على دمشق! ثم إنها تقول إن وزير العدل قال إنه لا يمكنه السماح لها بمغادرة سوريا مع ابنتها، لأن الدولة ستخسر فردًا "مسلمًا"!!! هذا ناهيك عن العقوبة التي كانت تخشاها وهي السجن أو الرجم حتى الموت!!!!
لست بمعرض الدفاع عن سوريا ونظامها، لكن الكتاب فيه تزييف كبير، يبدو للقارئ أنها تتحدث عن إيران لا عن سوريا!
(ملاحظة الأحداث المذكورة وقعت في سبتمبر 2011 والأشهر التالية)
لست بمعرض الدفاع عن سوريا ونظامها، لكن الكتاب فيه تزييف كبير، يبدو للقارئ أنها تتحدث عن إيران لا عن سوريا!
(ملاحظة الأحداث المذكورة وقعت في سبتمبر 2011 والأشهر التالية)
September 1, 2021
I was so hooked by the first page and was so invested in this journey, Ive read this book months ago and I still think about how much Louise and may had to go through, I'm as the same age as may actually, so in 2011 when she was being abducted by her abusive father in syria, in the middle of the war, I was on my way to first grade in a new school, in a safe country, can't stop stressing over why a child had to go to therapy sessions for such trauma, thank u Louis for writing this book
September 8, 2018
I couldn’t finish it. 1/3 trough and I lost interest due to the elementary writing (lack of creative, descriptive words). Also, found myself more and more annoyed with the mom’s decisions/justification. I’m a huge fan of non fiction books about kidnapping but this was my least favorite.
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July 18, 2012As I wrote this book I am slightly biased, but it is genuinely a fascinating, terrifying, yet inspirational story of the lengths a mother will go to just to protect her child.
April 19, 2020
I really wanted to like this book, but with every page I read my anger kept rising.
I feel for the little girl, however I don't feel for Louise in the slightest way possible. Mostafa had shown Louise from day 1 that he was trouble. If Louise wanted trouble that was fine but to bring in a child in a world when you know the father is abusive is just dumb. At the time she wasnt even married or anything and she could've started over. She kept going back to a person who was abusive not only towards her but also her daughter just cos he was attractive? Im sorry, what?
Everyone warned her against Mostafa including his own brother... yet she went back cos oh that shiny black hair...
Next, a lot of the things in the book is misleading such as being "held captive in Syria" despite never actually being held captive, she was free to leave when she wanted.
She comes across as ignorant, "how can people live like this?" She said this as she saw the situation in Syria, this was during the civil war... no one chooses war, every Syrian I've ever met wants this to be over, a war that has been going on for 9 years now, with no end in sight.
She is also very hypocritical. She doesn't want may to follow Islam as it is a "religion she knows nothing about" however, having her christined as a baby is totally fine. She also comes across as islamophobic, when she says that calls to prayer terrified her.
She also despises Mostafa for putting May on a stop list but she cancelled her passport which is even worse cos that way May could never leave Cyprus but that's totally okay?
There was also just a lot of unnecessary things that didn't make sense, for example, her many mentions of the fact that there was no toilet paper but there was a hose with running water to wash yourselves. This is a common thing in many countries across Asia and more hygienic anyway so what are you complaining about? Especially when May fell sick and had diarrhoea and she had to wash herself instead of wiping herself constantly which would have been way more unhygienic anyway.
The icing on the cake was the fact that she moved back to Cyprus where Mostafa kidnapped May. Is it not more dangerous in Cyprus than in Ireland?
I feel for the little girl, however I don't feel for Louise in the slightest way possible. Mostafa had shown Louise from day 1 that he was trouble. If Louise wanted trouble that was fine but to bring in a child in a world when you know the father is abusive is just dumb. At the time she wasnt even married or anything and she could've started over. She kept going back to a person who was abusive not only towards her but also her daughter just cos he was attractive? Im sorry, what?
Everyone warned her against Mostafa including his own brother... yet she went back cos oh that shiny black hair...
Next, a lot of the things in the book is misleading such as being "held captive in Syria" despite never actually being held captive, she was free to leave when she wanted.
She comes across as ignorant, "how can people live like this?" She said this as she saw the situation in Syria, this was during the civil war... no one chooses war, every Syrian I've ever met wants this to be over, a war that has been going on for 9 years now, with no end in sight.
She is also very hypocritical. She doesn't want may to follow Islam as it is a "religion she knows nothing about" however, having her christined as a baby is totally fine. She also comes across as islamophobic, when she says that calls to prayer terrified her.
She also despises Mostafa for putting May on a stop list but she cancelled her passport which is even worse cos that way May could never leave Cyprus but that's totally okay?
There was also just a lot of unnecessary things that didn't make sense, for example, her many mentions of the fact that there was no toilet paper but there was a hose with running water to wash yourselves. This is a common thing in many countries across Asia and more hygienic anyway so what are you complaining about? Especially when May fell sick and had diarrhoea and she had to wash herself instead of wiping herself constantly which would have been way more unhygienic anyway.
The icing on the cake was the fact that she moved back to Cyprus where Mostafa kidnapped May. Is it not more dangerous in Cyprus than in Ireland?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2024
I feel the same way as a lot of reviewers about this book, it's just so hard to understand why Louise kept asking for trouble by going back to this abusive man who clearly has some form of mental illness, his behaviour shows all the signs of NPD.
And to find out that her and her daughter were back living in Cyprus some months after the abduction, and where he could possibly be deported and face trial is unbelievable. You would think they would be traumatised, also he proved how easy it is there to kidnap a child from Cyprus and no questions asked at the borders. She was "surrounded by friends" before and they were powerless to help her.
I just hope her daughter's wishes were being considered first before her own.
You can't base a relationship on the fact that you like the look of a person and ignore all the red flags flying in your face. He was already married with 2 kids, his wife was in Syria, then he meets Louise, has a child with her, and already has another married woman he is seeing in Cyprus at the same time..
I think she liked the fact that other women wanted him (I've seen his photo and he's an average looking man in my opinion), but she had got him, and didn't want anyone else having him. She seemed more angry at his infidelity than the abuse she endured, it was his womanising that made her finally decide to leave him.
I've also got a feeling that Louise would meet him again if he made contact, I don't believe she is entirely over him, not at the time of writing the book anyway.
I just hope she got therapy after all this so she won't continue making the same mistakes.
And to find out that her and her daughter were back living in Cyprus some months after the abduction, and where he could possibly be deported and face trial is unbelievable. You would think they would be traumatised, also he proved how easy it is there to kidnap a child from Cyprus and no questions asked at the borders. She was "surrounded by friends" before and they were powerless to help her.
I just hope her daughter's wishes were being considered first before her own.
You can't base a relationship on the fact that you like the look of a person and ignore all the red flags flying in your face. He was already married with 2 kids, his wife was in Syria, then he meets Louise, has a child with her, and already has another married woman he is seeing in Cyprus at the same time..
I think she liked the fact that other women wanted him (I've seen his photo and he's an average looking man in my opinion), but she had got him, and didn't want anyone else having him. She seemed more angry at his infidelity than the abuse she endured, it was his womanising that made her finally decide to leave him.
I've also got a feeling that Louise would meet him again if he made contact, I don't believe she is entirely over him, not at the time of writing the book anyway.
I just hope she got therapy after all this so she won't continue making the same mistakes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2019
Very poorly written and presented. You are not going to learn anything about Syria and the disaster of the last 8 years reading this book, its all a bit one sided hyped neurotic account, and gave up after 2 chapters.
September 22, 2021
Ääretult põnev lugemine, samas on raske autorit ka mitte kritiseerida kõige eest, mida ta röövimisele eelnenult tegi. Üks vaatepunkt sellele loole, mis pani mõtlema Süürias toimuva üle ja selle mõjule segaabieludele.
March 8, 2019
Couldn't finish this book. I just couldn't stand how she kept doing the same mistake again and again
June 12, 2019
Couldn’t recommend this book enough. From the moment I started reading , I couldn’t put it down. An extremely good read
September 20, 2021
Harrowing read about a mother’s attempts to get her daughter back from a Syrian father. It reminded me so much of Betty Mahmoody’s book, Not Without My Daughter.
October 11, 2025
well written very good gripping book
April 4, 2025
A bit repetitive in places. The red flags were there when he became abusive so early in the relationship. After all she went through to get back to Ireland she then went back to Cyprus not knowing where he was in jail or not. If she's doesn't know where he is, who is to say he won't kidnap her again.
December 11, 2012
Absolutely amazing and I couldn't stop reading it! I had to read it in class! The book is so captivating and haunting. I learnt a lot from this book and the authors determination to go to any length for the safety of her daughter despite her illness is......I can't really explain it. I know you may think that this is another typical story of a mothers love but you have to read it to understand. The book isn't too long and doesn't drag on forever. Louise is completely honest in this book and tells everything that she had to say about what happened to her last year. This whole ordeal happened late last year during the troubles in Middle East which are still happening.
The book is about an Irish woman- Louise Monaghan who married a Syrian man. This man turned out to be misogynist and sexist- mainly because of his religion.( This book is not about disgracing the Muslim Religion or making them to be very bad people, in fact most of the people she meets in Syria are warm and kind people and she acknowledges that.)She finally divorces after a lot of violence but he abducts their daughter to Syria. And he tells Louise that if he wants to see her daughter again she needs to come to Syria and live with him as any other Muslim wife would. She goes- but not with the intention to be a subservient to him but to get her daughter back and escape back to Ireland.
I was constantly gasping and saying words like **** all the time during their escape from his house, I was genuinely scared while reading this. I was even more scared when I reminded myself that this is a true story.
I do not feel sorry for her or her daughter as I am sure that this experience has taught them a lot about life- something they would have not learnt the easy way. It was a valuable lesson but nonetheless torturous. It's safe to say that Louise will be more careful and wise in her decisions about the people she lets into her life.
All in all I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy non-fiction
The book is about an Irish woman- Louise Monaghan who married a Syrian man. This man turned out to be misogynist and sexist- mainly because of his religion.( This book is not about disgracing the Muslim Religion or making them to be very bad people, in fact most of the people she meets in Syria are warm and kind people and she acknowledges that.)She finally divorces after a lot of violence but he abducts their daughter to Syria. And he tells Louise that if he wants to see her daughter again she needs to come to Syria and live with him as any other Muslim wife would. She goes- but not with the intention to be a subservient to him but to get her daughter back and escape back to Ireland.
I was constantly gasping and saying words like **** all the time during their escape from his house, I was genuinely scared while reading this. I was even more scared when I reminded myself that this is a true story.
I do not feel sorry for her or her daughter as I am sure that this experience has taught them a lot about life- something they would have not learnt the easy way. It was a valuable lesson but nonetheless torturous. It's safe to say that Louise will be more careful and wise in her decisions about the people she lets into her life.
All in all I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy non-fiction
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