Wedlocked: A Story of Forced Marriage

by Hannah Rubenstein

When the plainclothes police officers appeared with a warrant for her arrest, Mayah assumed that her father — a powerful figure in Nairobi’s Indian business community — was attempting to frighten her. What she didn’t realize was that her ordeal had only just begun. That night, while her newlywed husband languished in a jail cell, she would be driven across the border at gunpoint, sedated, and locked in an empty room for days. She would be flown across the ocean in a drugged haze and awake in a walled compound in a remote corner of northern India. Later, she would swallow pills and bleed out the child she didn’t know she carried inside her. Mayah would remain a prisoner in her family’s home until she agreed to annul her marriage and wed a husband of their choosing. A Story of Forced Marriage uses the true tale of one woman’s experience to introduce readers to a pervasive practice that has only recently begun tiptoeing out of hushed living rooms and into the spotlight of public discourse. Many women who had been rendered silent, threatened by familial and community pressure to accept their fates without protest, have been stepping forward to speak out about the injustice of an institution that is only barely beginning to be understood in scope and severity. Mayah’s story is just one of thousands. But it is hers. And by telling her tale — appalling in its violence, humbling in its magnitude, and ultimately redemptive in its humanity — forced marriage as an abstract concept can be rewritten. Mayah’s story is a pathway to make the intangible tangible; to color the statistics with a voice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2016

About the author

Hannah Rubenstein is a writer and editor whose passion lies in exploring the complex terrain where ideas of culture and human rights overlap.

Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, NPR, Reuters, India Times, USA Today, Truthout, TerraViva, The Global Report, Global Issues, The Daily Globe, and AllAfrica, among other publications.

For more, visit her website at http://www.hannahrubenstein.com/.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this wonderful, distressing, disturbing, well written book and highly recommend it! The book is written to not only tell Mayah’s ordeal into a forced marriage but it also includes the statistics for forced marriages and the many other types of abuses that go with it. It’s appalling! I have no words to describe my dismay that so many young women, and in many cases, children, are treated so brutally in the world today. Mayah story gives us a glimpse into this epidemic. In the beginning, we see Mayah as she struggles to fit within her very traditional Indian home as a young female and then as she finds “true love” with someone outside her class. This brings dishonor to her family and they react violently to her choices; going to surprisingly extreme lengths in order to bring honor to the family. Mayah suffered so much verbal and physical violence from her parents and the husband they chose that it is amazing, and inspirational, that the she is now able to speak out about forced marriage in order provide much needed education on this dreadful crisis that continues to happen today.

I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Victoria Van Vliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hannah Rubenstein tells Mayah's story extremely well. Rubenstein mixes Mayah's story with worldwide facts and stats regarding forced marriage and still manages for the book to be a smooth read. The story of Mayah is not uncommon. Her willpower to overcome her background and push for a better upbringing for her sons is outstanding.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won in a LibraryThing and this is my honest review.

Wow! What a fantastic read! Very well written, detail information and very emotional. Highly recommended!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and the life of Maya has really opened my eyes. I knew forced marriages existed, however the thought and the reality of how many woman and children are affected is 'mind blowing'.

Also I now understand that forced marriage for people of Mayas culture is that of economic gain and status. How dare a woman be treated in such a way! She is a human being not to be controlled but rather to strive as any human being should do.

Well done Maya, your a very strong woman. I have depression and anxiety as result of abusive violence as a child and even though is is not the same situation, 'abuse is abuse' and it comes in many forms. As a result, it is linked with mental health issues and is somthing we carry through life. People think mental health makes us weak, however it makes us stronger as we have to fight it with each passing day of our lives.

This is a brilliant book and spreads awarness.

Thank you.

Dana Austin.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

The author draws the reader immediately into the life of this young, Indian, school girl living in Kenya Africa. The biography of Myna was so poignant in this struggle. Because of her journey she was able to help many others that are in the same situation. This book was very insightful with acquainting the world with the practice of forced marriages. Many people didn’t realized that this still goes on around the world in many countries. I thought that daughters had some rights as to who they would marry. I thought they could say no. The author has shone a big light on this Human Rights issue as well as the struggle for women’s rights. Many countries and organizations around the world began to realize there is a problem and have passed legislation against forced marriages due to Myra’s hard work. A good read.

[Rajvi Rawal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non-fiction book that reads like a novel! Mayah’s story is heart breaking as well as inspiring and the author makes it a point to leave no loose threads anywhere in the book.

The book does an excellent job of throwing light on the issue of forced marriages worldwide. The well researched statistics and data about forced marriages, child marriages, compensation marriages, levirate marriages, bride kidnapping, spiritual appeasement, marital rapes, forced abortions is an eye opener.

One statement in the book that sums up the book for me is “elimination of forced marriage is a key factor in breaking the cycle of gender inequality and discrimination, violence and poverty and is critical for sustainable development and economic growth”

[Darrell Barstow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The aftermath of forced marriage

In many regards, this is a very depressing read. However, the whole issue of forced marriage as it exists worldwide (and has for centuries) in many different cultures, is a fact of life that all of us should be aware of. Forced marriage involves many different facets...the ripple effect of it is unbelievable! And none of it is good.
Ms. Rubenstein did a very exhausting and impressive job of gathering facts and figures covering this issue. The documentation of her writing leaves no doubt as to its accuracy.
PLEASE read this book. Educate yourself about this very important practice we live with every day that negatively impacts millions of people.

[Ally Fox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading after a few pages

I was expecting to read a biography of a woman who was forced to marry. Instead this book is page after page of statistics as opposed to the story of someone's life.
I'm sure if someone is looking to be educated about forced marriage and how prevalent it is then this book would be ideal.
Unfortunately I was looking for entertainment not a bombardment of statistics

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart wrenching story mixed with college essay

While the story of Mayah was a strong reminder that forced marriage is all too real and happens even in modern times, the author seemed to interrupt too often with statistics and information. While the content of information is important for people to know, I wasn't expecting to read such big chunks of mini essays in the middle of the story with jarring transition between story and info. Not my cup of tea.

[Pamela Carmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤔

I found the story interesting. The point of telling this true story, I believe, is to get the word out about forced marriages.
However, there was a LOT of information about forced marriages. So much do, that I'm positive it was a half and half split between the motive for writing the story and the actual story

[Jill Mein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

Incredible, eye opening story! I really appreciated the information and facts that are woven throughout the harrowing accounts of this amazing woman's life. I felt so much outrage for what too many young girls and women suffer through. Really puts things in perspective.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Male Marraige enforcers

Every woman should read this book.
The extreme cruelty violence & crazy
beliefs about family honor & caste are
Very worrying & more needs to be done to
Protect women from Families who arrange
Marriages .

[brett grice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful

Great read, really opens your eyes to how big of an issue forced marriage is throughout today's world. The story is very well told and there are plenty of data points that really help you understand the extent of the issue.

[Rachel Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

Opens the eyes of the reader with real stories & current statistics as well as global response efforts. Also explains the prevalence of forced marriage with historical examples of what caused this to come into being.

[Ginelle Canlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening

This book tells a poignant tale and educates at the same time about the horrors of being born as a woman. The real life struggle is heartbreaking. I’m so happy she survived and is able to crusade for change. She is a brave and inspiring woman.

[Sandra Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

WedLocked

An appsolutly spellbinding piece of non fiction I have read. Also so very sad. I could relate to somewhat. In a small way. How sad all this is still going on but is being recognized and laws are in the future.

[Erin Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book told a lot about forced marriage. It talks about how this is a common practice in the Sikh faith. This woman and so many like her are put through the wringer. I like how the author gave real statistics and information throughout the book to help show what is going on in the story.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mix between story and facts from around the world. Definitely an eye opener

[Jeannette Modesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

[Kirti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book interesting. You hear about forced marriage but don't realise the extent of what the person goes through. Hats off to Mayah, congratulations and well done.

[Laura Russll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

This book had very little story and to much info.the story really made no sense, the book seems to have nothing to lol you attegyion

[Savita Ramsumair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book has made me realised how blessed I am to be living in a country where as a woman, I am in full control of my reproductive health.

[Shereemckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down until I finished the book

Amazing and a new insight giving hope and understanding to do many good to know that your message is being used in schools

[Noah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent work describing forced marriage and the caste system in Nepal.This book explains in detail why forced marriage is such a big problem globally.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book, read all day to finish it. Very insightful into other cultures and what women go through.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

Good book on some levels, I read in within a couple of days however there are just too many pages of references to hold attention, I skipped at least 20 pages.

[Linda Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I am a rape and domestic violence survivor. Reading this book brought back some terrible memories. I salute all women who have the courage to escape.

[marquitta white · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

It was a good read and a realistic story. I like how the story was told alongside facts about the larger issues being portrayed.

[Barbara G. Masilamani · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative and honest

A story of a girl/woman who endures a horrible cultural practice and emerges as a fighter. True, educational and honest.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The story of Maya is horrifying and it happens to many women in Western countries. Even honour killings can be committed in Western countries. I'm not a great fan of statistics, but the way the author inserted them every now and then into the story made them more readable. I would have liked to know if Maya met her parents when she returned home after many years of abuse at the hands of the husband chosen by them but we are not told this. If you have any interest in learning more about forced marriage this book is highly recommended.