Journey of a Thousand Storms

by Kooshyar Karimi

In Journey of a Thousand Storms Kooshyar Karimi, author of Leila’s Secret, tells his gripping personal story of surviving prison in Iran and life as a refugee before finding success in Australia. Kooshyar Karimi had two careers in Iran, one as a doctor and one as an award-winning translator. Until he was kidnapped by the Intelligence Service. Behind his professional success, Kooshyar was a rebel on several fronts. Marginalized since boyhood as a Jew in a fundamentalist Islamic state, he was a member of a political group that opposed the government. He'd also been using his medical skills illegally, to save unmarried pregnant women from death by stoning. Snatched from the street, he was jailed and tortured and then forced to spy for the regime, before finally escaping to Turkey. There he faced a whole new struggle to keep his family safe while awaiting refugee status from the UN. He was forbidden to work and at the mercy of corrupt police, con men and red tape. Then life became more dangerous still, when the Intelligence Service tracked him down and used his mother, back in Iran, as blackmail. Kooshyar's inspiring story of how he managed to forge a new life in Australia is heightened by his largeness of heart, strength of character, and insight into human behaviour, from the unfathomably evil to the selflessly kind. With the skill of a natural storyteller, Journey of a Thousand Storms recounts a life of endurance, compassion and gritty determination.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Biography, Australia

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2016

About the author

Kooshyar Karimi was born in 1968 in the slums of Tehran, Iran, to a family living in abject poverty. His mother, Homa, was an orphaned Jew who married out of desperation to Khalil, his Moslim father, a bus driver with three wives and six other children to feed. At the age of six, Kooshyar was compelled to work in order to contribute to the paltry income of his family. He was only eleven years old when the Iranian Islamic Revolution ended the oldest lasting monarchy in the world.

Amidst this post‐revolutionary chaos, and the bloodshed of the Iran‐Iraq war, Kooshyar pursued his education through to medical school with the determination to avoid war, stay alive, and support his mother. It is from here that he went on to become a published author, award‐winning translator, doctor, husband and father by the age of twenty six. After over two years of military service, Kooshyar began to successfully practice medicine and began the research for his book, A History of Iranian Jews. It is due partly to this dangerous project that Kooshyar, walking down the paved footpath to his home, was kidnapped by the Islamic Intelligence Service in the winter of 1998. Tortured, burnt, and whipped over 62 days, Kooshyar found himself faced with an unimaginable decision ... to spy for MOIS against his own people or to be tortured slowly to death. His forced cooperation was a significant factor in the arrest of thirteen Iranian Jews in March 1999, a case that caused an international outcry.

Later, knowing that his value to the intelligence service had expired, Kooshyar realised that if he did not escape, he would soon be executed. Using the survival instincts he had acquired in childhood, and a fateful connection from the past, Kooshyar manages to make his escape from Iran. Finally, after 13 long months of dread and secrecy hiding with his wife and children in a tiny basement deep below an apartment block in Istanbul, he and his family were granted a political refugee visa to Australia by the UNHCR. He is now an Australian citizen, fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a member of the Australian Society of Cosmetic Medicine, and member of the Skin Cancer Society of Australia and New Zealand. He practises medicine full‐time in New South Wales, and writes in his spare time.

Reviews

[Jill Robbertze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow....A most captivating read !!! Karimi tells the story of his life in Iran where as a Jew he had to pretend to be a muslim. Working as a Doctor, translator and a writer, he was imprisoned for helping desperate women by performing abortions and hymen reconstruction surgeries, in order to save their lives from persecution by the Islamic state. He describes his struggles and escape, and as a refugee, ultimately settling in Australia. This book really gives one a different perspective of what refugees have to endure before they can make a new life.

[Max Coggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that is well worth reading that displays the best and worst of humanity. This autobiography leaves an impactful impression about challenges and survival -- sometimes if we keep going with love, patience and care and never give up hope when there appears to be none, we can succeed and triumph over the cruelty and injustices of the world.

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of survival

We need more stories like this. Making "refugees" into people with a background. Once we start seeing them with all their strengths and faults we stop seeing them as a statistic or a headline.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving story of the horrors of being persecuted and driven from your home land. A poignant reminder of the power of kindness

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The literary world is full of the tales of refugees and hardship immigrants. Some are written in the eloquent prose of literary fiction, not real life tales but told in such detail and beauty they might be. Others are rougher, more terse, first person memoirs: not as beautiful but ringing much more harrowingly true. This tale is somewhere in between. It's a non-fiction memoir crafted by a gifted author, evoking the literary splendor of a Khaled Hosseini novel. There are so many gaps and inconsistencies in the narrative, though, that if this were fiction it would feel inauthentic and contrived. I don't doubt that this author flouted the laws of oppressive Iran to uphold the ethics of his medical profession, but his relationship with Judaism is bewildering. The narrative explains how his mother, a young Persian Jewish woman who emigrates to Israel ends up back in Iran, the wife of an Iranian Muslim with two other wives. She raises her sons to value (while concealing) their Jewish heritage. Yet, inexplicably she pressures the author into marrying a Muslim woman against his will. Even if all of this is plausible, once the young doctor is discovered for his subversive ways and Jewish heritage, tortured by the oppressive Iranian regime, we learn how he escapes into Turkey under cover of night, but it's never quite explained how or why his Muslim wife drags their daughters from her beloved country for a man she doesn't love.

So, let's say she joins her husband in Turkey for the sake of her daughters, because she wants them to have a father. But then, if the narrative is to be believed, she risks having her daughters starve to death rather than move to Israel or the U.S., even temporarily while the author re-establishes his medical credentials and secures a visa to a different country. She threatens to return to Iran, where she apparently feels unthreatened on behalf of her and her daughters, but doesn't ever actually do that while facing starvation and refusing refugee status in both Israel and the U.S. Against all odds, they receive visas to Australia, where he re-establishes his life as a doctor and both are able to pursue their own desires.

I don't doubt one single element of the refugee experience told here, but the facts of the forced marriage and willingness to let their daughters starve make no sense and and reek of the distortions of a bitter divorce.

[groovygab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book broke my heart many times, but the ending is positively triumphant, totally cried. It is a true journey of an Iranian Jewish man seeking asylum from a controlling military regime with his family, and all of the obstacles of finding refuge in Turkey. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to bear witness to the prejudice and hate these people faced on their path to a better life, the amount of “I can’t help you”s they had to grin and bear on the way. Many people could help, but chose not to, and those that did often paid a fatal price. This story was an enlightening reminder of the political, social, and human rights issues that have plagued Iran, and the years-long sacrifices needed to start a new life.

[Ethna Brave · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! The ladies at my new book club had read Karimi's book earlier this year and recommended it to me. I could not put it down and read it in two days. His story is heartbreaking, courageous and inspiring and provides a real insight into the conflict and oppression of life in Iran. His unwavering courage, perseverance and optimism in the face of hardship makes you really value how lucky we are. It's also nice to read about good people, those who have helped refugees and others selflessly. They are often missed out in stories of hardship but Karimi includes them in a very real and human way. His story was inspiring and I have to admit, had me in tears at times.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that is horrifying, heartwrenching, humbling, honest... and thankfully has a reasonably happy ending. Karimi clearly depicts the dullness and desperation of his time as an asylum seeker in Turkey, and shares the challenges of adapting to life in Australia as a refugee. This book is deeply touching and eye-opening - even more so when you consider that there are millions of people who have gone to similar lengths in search of freedom and safety, each with their own story to tell. Highly recommend.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this book as a follow-on to the previous book called Leila's Secret. This chronicles the struggle from the author's decision to flee Iran and the pitiful life as a refugee in Turkey with a reluctant wife and two very young children. After a few very hard years the family are eventually settled in Australia and the struggles to regain his medical career and make a new life in an unfamiliar culture.

[Jade Precians · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a beautifully written, poignant story of the author's journey through life. Very well written and gripping. I couldn't stop reading it. We can get a glimpse of the hardship of one migrant family and a professional man determined to make it work. Each migrant has a compelling story to tell, not everyone can do it so well. Thank you to Dr. Kooshyar Karimi for sharing his. Highly recommended reading.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a rebel in Iran, Kooshyar been using his medical skills illegally, performing abortions and restoring virginities – saving many women from death by stoning. And then he was kidnapped by the Intelligence Service. Snatched from the street, he was jailed and tortured and then forced to spy for the regime, before finally escaping to Turkey. There he faced a whole new struggle to keep his family safe while awaiting refugee status from the UN. A truly gripping true story

[Lea Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. An extraordinary story of suffering and survival. It emphasizes the horrors brought about by conflict in religion and beliefs. I recommend reading Leila's Secret beforehand to get the background of his life in Iran before the arrest. These experiences need to be shared to help in the fight against persecution!

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fascinating to read Kooshyar's story of fleeing Iran, the experience whilst seeking asylum and starting a new life.
Asylum seekers are an emotive topic but Kooshyar is someone who genuinely feared for his life and it was amazing to see how the Iranian Government's reach extends well beyond its boarders.
This book is definitely worth a read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story of resilience and determination. Wonderful story of an Iranian doctor, his life and travails having been jailed, the dangers to himself and his wife and two daughters. Many years of danger and deprivation followed by his settling in Australia and becoming a much revered doctor. A great positive story of a refugee

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a record reading speed! Had me from page 1. Such an eye opener into refugees, religion, power, terror, tradition and determination. Please read, we all need to hear these human, personal stories to try to understand a tiny snippet of what some people have to endure for their safety and life. Well done, so well written, touching, and inspiring.

[Alison Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This makes one really think about how lucky one is in one's life. To read about the struggles and hardships one family goes through and to know that there are so many thousands others living in such terrible situations.
What a cruel world we live in

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down. Though it is an autobiography, Journey of a Thousand Stories reads as fiction. This book gives an insight into a refugee's journey. A must read.

[Terri Borschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story of the life of a refugee, showing how naive we are to their suffering and an inspiration to the strength that they possess because of it.

[Sara Gleeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of true hardship and tenacity to overcome

[R Hinchco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Determination, strength, resilience, family. The title says it all. It’s reading stories like Dr. Karimi’s that make you realise how lucky we are in western society.

[Robyn Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kooshyar Karimi's life story. A Jew living in Iran, married to a Muslim woman chosen for him by his mother. He was captured by Islamic state because he opposed their regime, he was jailed and tortured then forced to spy for the regime. The hardship he, his wife and children went through is unimaginable. He finally comes to Australia and his life changes. He works as a doctor in Tea Gardens, which is just up the road a bit from where I live in New South Wales. An amazing story.

[Kevin Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is certainly a gripping tale and demonstrates the suffering and anxiety of refugees. I'm not totally convinced that Karimi's problems are a result of his Jewishness though. He does say that he is associated with the monarchist cause, which I would imagine is a much more politically problematic thing than Jewishness. The scenes of his time in Australia are fascinating, but I didn't really get a lot of insight into the culture from his perspective.

[Manju · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real story of human sufferring, courage, endurance and victory

Touching because it is real. Love for society you care about, family, survival, fight, patience, continuous struggle and final victory.

Message is loud and clear - do not give up in adverse situations, keep going and victory will be yours.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing what some people go through just to live a life that most of us take for granted.

This book is a real eye opener, beautifully written without unnecessary detail. I will definitely be looking to read more books by this author.

[Janettef · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Kooshyar's story really fascinating and enjoyed every minute of reading it. I mostly read fiction, as I find with non-fiction people come across as "wonderful" without any flaws. Its not so bad in this book, he has had to overcome amazing things. Very worthwhile read.

[Flem Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sad thing is that this still story is played out on a daily basis as millions of displaced people seek the basic human right of safety for themselves and there loved ones. A harrowing story of survival.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really enjoy this book. Felt like too much time was spent on the minutiae of every day life yet large sections or interesting sounding stories were skipped over very quickly.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. The author is a gifted writer and the story of his remarkable life is breath-taking.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this memoir is written in a simple easy-to-read style, the story that is told is full of unbelievable drama. It highlights some of the best and worst of humanity.

[Jultri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.