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Reham Khan
Reham Khan was born in Libya in the 1970s to an educated, affluent Pakistani-origin family. Her eventful life took her from Gaddafi's Libya to the Zia years in Pakistan and thence to England as a teenage bride before she returned to Pakistan in her 40s. It’s a life of extraordinary both a brutal marriage and domestic abuse, but also the rebuilding of a life, the raising of three children and subsequent media success. And in recent years the contrasts have Reham has built a successful career as a broadcast journalist and anchor, and has established herself as a powerful media force in the UK and Pakistan - but also, after years of struggle, she now finds herself in the midst of a complex web of politics, deceit and intrigue.
This story touches on sensitive issues, both political and social, and the author has had to resist extreme bullying, harassment and life-threatening situations to bring it to you. There are powerful people who do not want you to hear it – because it shows all too clearly that there are those in political office in Pakistan, and all over the world, who are not driven by a desire to serve the public but rather by venal ambition.
The miracle of Reham’s story is that, throughout it all, this housewife-turned-journalist-turned-social-activist has managed to balance her work with her primary role of being a mother. She shows us the challenges that a woman can overcome when she wants more from life than tradition expects of her.
This is a story of survival with a smile.
This story touches on sensitive issues, both political and social, and the author has had to resist extreme bullying, harassment and life-threatening situations to bring it to you. There are powerful people who do not want you to hear it – because it shows all too clearly that there are those in political office in Pakistan, and all over the world, who are not driven by a desire to serve the public but rather by venal ambition.
The miracle of Reham’s story is that, throughout it all, this housewife-turned-journalist-turned-social-activist has managed to balance her work with her primary role of being a mother. She shows us the challenges that a woman can overcome when she wants more from life than tradition expects of her.
This is a story of survival with a smile.
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2018
108 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Reham Khan
1 book11 followersReham Nayyar Khan is a journalist and film producer of British Pakistani descent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 28, 2020
It was a total surprise when in 2015,Pakistan's current Prime
Minister,at the age of over 60,decided to tie the knot a second time. His wife,this time,former BBC weather girl and a divorced mother of several kids,Reham Khan,who was past the age of 40 herself.
The marriage,secretly arranged to begin with,didn't last long.
It was over in less than a year,and Pakistan's innumerable news channels had little else to talk about. Imran was still the idol,and Reham
didn't find much sympathy. She had to get even,and so she wrote this book,nicely timed to be released just before the election which brought Imran to power in 2018.
As a TV anchor,Reham Khan comes across as intelligent,charming and articulate.In this book,however,she is just a woman wanting to settle scores with her ex-husbands (she has two).
Her life story is not interesting enough to fill such a lengthy book.It is a no holds barred assault on Imran.
There are a lot of allegations against Imran,his womanizing,use of drugs,and several illegitimate children in different parts of the world.There is also a good deal of criticism of the way he runs his political party,and the unsavoury characters who surround him in the party. She does make some valid points about this subject.
Overall,however,the book is quite poorly written. I skimmed through it,mostly it bored me.
It is a very disappointing effort, though it is a gossip monger's delight. As a memoir,it is very similar to Tehmina Durrani's notorious bestseller,My Feudal Lord. Like Tehmina Durrani,Reham has stooped too low. She hasn't done herself any favours,by writing this book.
Minister,at the age of over 60,decided to tie the knot a second time. His wife,this time,former BBC weather girl and a divorced mother of several kids,Reham Khan,who was past the age of 40 herself.
The marriage,secretly arranged to begin with,didn't last long.
It was over in less than a year,and Pakistan's innumerable news channels had little else to talk about. Imran was still the idol,and Reham
didn't find much sympathy. She had to get even,and so she wrote this book,nicely timed to be released just before the election which brought Imran to power in 2018.
As a TV anchor,Reham Khan comes across as intelligent,charming and articulate.In this book,however,she is just a woman wanting to settle scores with her ex-husbands (she has two).
Her life story is not interesting enough to fill such a lengthy book.It is a no holds barred assault on Imran.
There are a lot of allegations against Imran,his womanizing,use of drugs,and several illegitimate children in different parts of the world.There is also a good deal of criticism of the way he runs his political party,and the unsavoury characters who surround him in the party. She does make some valid points about this subject.
Overall,however,the book is quite poorly written. I skimmed through it,mostly it bored me.
It is a very disappointing effort, though it is a gossip monger's delight. As a memoir,it is very similar to Tehmina Durrani's notorious bestseller,My Feudal Lord. Like Tehmina Durrani,Reham has stooped too low. She hasn't done herself any favours,by writing this book.
August 6, 2018
As a women, I get a really disturbing message overall. You slaved away 12 years of life with a psycopath( as you describe) hardly stood up for your basic rights in a developed country like England , got yourself and your kids beaten up and almost killed at some point! Yet kept on bearing that man’s kids one after the other . You showed a self respect way less than an average house wife in pakistan. And when you got married second time, you admitted to have known your ex husband as abnoxious man making sexual advances without your consent and yet you married him! and stayed with him despite knowing he is a drug addict , sodomist , mysogynist and unfaithful towards you! Yet he kicked you out of his life rather than you walking away with dignity . What are you trying to prove here?
In the entire story you have praised yourself to the extent that it gets really funny. Calling your face as 100 watt bulb, your teeth amazing, breath always fresh , most beautiful smile, best adviser, best conversationalist, your ex husbands always insecure of your beauty, your assumption that every other man fancies you, your exceptional table manners, your tall slim figure and list goes on.... Reader start to predict when you are going to praise yourself! your your Entire book is full of contradicting views and flawed ideas! In first part of book , you have potrayed your ex husband as a monster with literally no qualities . Yet you admit he was the one who taught you how to drive( even being worst instructer) and he got you into BBC talent hunt and drove all the way for audition! It is hard to believe this for a man who does not spend money on your basic needs, treats you worse than a slave, body shames you in bed and insecure about your beauty and confidence. Its hard to believe many of your first husband stories considering he was consultant psychiatrist!
I am sorry but i have to say ,it seems like you made up entire story potraying yourself as narcissit and self proclaimed victim at the same time.
Lastly , all your praise towards sharif family and your comment in the very last fights with Imran khan that Nwaz sharif knows how to respect his daughter and wife really raises the eyebrow that this book is a planned agenda against Imran khan. Your biography reeks of jealousy, grudges and blame game and lacks credibility. There are no true lessons. There is so much negetivity with no self reflection.
In the entire story you have praised yourself to the extent that it gets really funny. Calling your face as 100 watt bulb, your teeth amazing, breath always fresh , most beautiful smile, best adviser, best conversationalist, your ex husbands always insecure of your beauty, your assumption that every other man fancies you, your exceptional table manners, your tall slim figure and list goes on.... Reader start to predict when you are going to praise yourself! your your Entire book is full of contradicting views and flawed ideas! In first part of book , you have potrayed your ex husband as a monster with literally no qualities . Yet you admit he was the one who taught you how to drive( even being worst instructer) and he got you into BBC talent hunt and drove all the way for audition! It is hard to believe this for a man who does not spend money on your basic needs, treats you worse than a slave, body shames you in bed and insecure about your beauty and confidence. Its hard to believe many of your first husband stories considering he was consultant psychiatrist!
I am sorry but i have to say ,it seems like you made up entire story potraying yourself as narcissit and self proclaimed victim at the same time.
Lastly , all your praise towards sharif family and your comment in the very last fights with Imran khan that Nwaz sharif knows how to respect his daughter and wife really raises the eyebrow that this book is a planned agenda against Imran khan. Your biography reeks of jealousy, grudges and blame game and lacks credibility. There are no true lessons. There is so much negetivity with no self reflection.
June 9, 2020
This book attracted attention and criticism, that it was geared to take on popular cricketer turned political leader Imran Khan. As I read the book though, the material comes across as genuine and the tone is sincere. What the book suffers from is – poor writing and a self-centered viewpoint. The latter is after all, very typical of autobiographies.
Reham’s story begins with her being born in Libya, which at that time was doing well in comparison to Pakistan. She gets married fairly early to Ijaz who she met first at a family function. They live in the UK and have three children. Reham suffers very abusive behaviour and is not encouraged to educate herself or work. She persists with her marriage for 12 years, but finally decides that she cannot continue. Many have questioned why she decided to hold on for so long, tolerating abuse. That is an unfair question as women suffering and acting late is often due to a sense of insecurity. It would have required being very brave without a strong educational background or financial security.
Reham works hard to make a career in media & broadcasting after her divorce. Her beginnings are modest, but she goes on to become successful and visible. She returns to Pakistan with her children and becomes a known face on television. She meets Imran Khan who proposes marriage to her, and after some reluctance she agrees. This marriage has a different set of problems, with Imran’s constant scrutiny of her past, drug addiction, insecurity, pretense, inconsistency, and regressive views. In a little less than a year, it is clear the marriage cannot continue and Reham has to start her life & career all over again.
This is certainly a story of a brave woman who decided she must form her own identity, battling many who wanted her to stagnate. If only it had been better written – taken a broader view, avoided irrelevant details & been concise.
Reham’s story begins with her being born in Libya, which at that time was doing well in comparison to Pakistan. She gets married fairly early to Ijaz who she met first at a family function. They live in the UK and have three children. Reham suffers very abusive behaviour and is not encouraged to educate herself or work. She persists with her marriage for 12 years, but finally decides that she cannot continue. Many have questioned why she decided to hold on for so long, tolerating abuse. That is an unfair question as women suffering and acting late is often due to a sense of insecurity. It would have required being very brave without a strong educational background or financial security.
Reham works hard to make a career in media & broadcasting after her divorce. Her beginnings are modest, but she goes on to become successful and visible. She returns to Pakistan with her children and becomes a known face on television. She meets Imran Khan who proposes marriage to her, and after some reluctance she agrees. This marriage has a different set of problems, with Imran’s constant scrutiny of her past, drug addiction, insecurity, pretense, inconsistency, and regressive views. In a little less than a year, it is clear the marriage cannot continue and Reham has to start her life & career all over again.
This is certainly a story of a brave woman who decided she must form her own identity, battling many who wanted her to stagnate. If only it had been better written – taken a broader view, avoided irrelevant details & been concise.
Read
July 14, 2018Believable, raw, and not for the naive. Reham Khan starts with writing about her background and heart wrenching escape from domestic abuse and gives an inside view of the real Imran Khan and the PTI movement. Her characterizations of this political figure are believable and wrought with examples of his narcissism, desire to wield political power, his chips on his shoulders, insecurities and hypocritical stances, and even some of his immoral and weird behaviors. Her characterizations and observations are only those a spouse could be privy to. By writing this book, she has endangered herself in this misogynistic society where leaders are worshipped as saviors who will save the country. The risks she takes considering what is at stake makes me respect her more and gives her words credibility.
July 20, 2018
A very very ordinary effort I am afraid. I think for me Reham lost her credibility when she tried to explain her 'difficult' times after her first divorce in UK from her cousin. How could the courts in UK not grant her any alimony money? Also, her courtship with IK in Islamabad was very vaguely covered. Why was IK so interested in her when she was playing so hard to get? I didn't get a sense from her explanation. The book is badly edited and filled with the rambling of a vengeful wife I am afraid. The biggest mystery for me is why IK never saw Riham for what she was?
I think the best bit for me was the salacious exposure provided in the book of the class of people around IK. Those bits of the book are worth reading
I think the best bit for me was the salacious exposure provided in the book of the class of people around IK. Those bits of the book are worth reading
March 4, 2019
Worse than badly written fanfiction.
July 15, 2018
I'm currently skimming through the book, reading a couple of pages and moving on. From what I see, the book is horribly lacking a consistent order in thoughts. The author skips from one topic to the other, returning to the former out of the blue.
The way the author refers to herself is actually very annoying. It's very disruptive to the narrative.
The book essentially tells you that Reham Khan is oh-so-perfect, the popular girl, the beautiful, tall, intelligent, career-oriented woman who has remained a victim throughout her life. So basically, there's nothing in her story that you could relate to.
The book is also chock-full of misandry. Every man Reham has ever met is rude, sleazy, older than her, abusive, sexist, and a misogynist. Her dislike of Imran Khan right from the moment she first met him is very evident and most of her portrayal of him seems colored and distorted by her prejudices. It's also sad that for a book that's supposed to be about a woman's strength, more than half of it is about men.
Really, she paints a picture of a world that seems more and more like some distant planet I've never heard of.
The only part that I found satisfactory was her portrayal of a marriage with an alcoholic abusive man. The way young women are eager to please abusive husbands and often find faults within themselves is very realistic and common.
The book is not a biography at all. It does not give you what you would expect of a biography, namely: important childhood events which shaped her life or her personality, her time as a young woman, her time working for the media, her role as a mother/daughter/working woman etc. The book is based around her experiences with the two men in her life. That's it.
The way the author refers to herself is actually very annoying. It's very disruptive to the narrative.
The book essentially tells you that Reham Khan is oh-so-perfect, the popular girl, the beautiful, tall, intelligent, career-oriented woman who has remained a victim throughout her life. So basically, there's nothing in her story that you could relate to.
The book is also chock-full of misandry. Every man Reham has ever met is rude, sleazy, older than her, abusive, sexist, and a misogynist. Her dislike of Imran Khan right from the moment she first met him is very evident and most of her portrayal of him seems colored and distorted by her prejudices. It's also sad that for a book that's supposed to be about a woman's strength, more than half of it is about men.
Really, she paints a picture of a world that seems more and more like some distant planet I've never heard of.
The only part that I found satisfactory was her portrayal of a marriage with an alcoholic abusive man. The way young women are eager to please abusive husbands and often find faults within themselves is very realistic and common.
The book is not a biography at all. It does not give you what you would expect of a biography, namely: important childhood events which shaped her life or her personality, her time as a young woman, her time working for the media, her role as a mother/daughter/working woman etc. The book is based around her experiences with the two men in her life. That's it.
July 13, 2018
Bakwas ! 😂
July 16, 2018
Worth reading
Worth reading for any serious student of South Asian politics.Apart from the intrafamily issues it gives insight into Pakistan politician Imran Khan who is a serious contender to Prime minister of Pakistan.It gives a devastating portrait of IK. His emotional insecurities, his ambition to become PM at all costs with adoption of dubious means,his personal failings do not bode well to Pakistan. Can the world trust IK to have nuclear button in tip of finger even if 5% of his depiction is true. My analysis of the domestic issues mentioned in the book are sideshow.It shows that contemporary Pakistani society is not ready to accept the role that Ms Reham Khan wants to play.I wish the book was edited better and avoided repetition and had chronological sequence.I would sympathize with the difficulties Ms Khan went through but in a domestic disputes there are two sides.Ms Khan has presented her side of the issue which may not interest some of the readers
Worth reading for any serious student of South Asian politics.Apart from the intrafamily issues it gives insight into Pakistan politician Imran Khan who is a serious contender to Prime minister of Pakistan.It gives a devastating portrait of IK. His emotional insecurities, his ambition to become PM at all costs with adoption of dubious means,his personal failings do not bode well to Pakistan. Can the world trust IK to have nuclear button in tip of finger even if 5% of his depiction is true. My analysis of the domestic issues mentioned in the book are sideshow.It shows that contemporary Pakistani society is not ready to accept the role that Ms Reham Khan wants to play.I wish the book was edited better and avoided repetition and had chronological sequence.I would sympathize with the difficulties Ms Khan went through but in a domestic disputes there are two sides.Ms Khan has presented her side of the issue which may not interest some of the readers
July 15, 2018
An Absorbing Read
Thanks for exposing the political elite of Pakistan. To me it seemed like a sequel to My Feudal Lord by Tehmina Durrani who was brave enough to come out and expose the pious political elite of 1970’s.
Shamefully all Pakistan media could talk about from this book was Imran’s sexual encounters and drug addiction. Completely ignoring the corruption element and party’s funding sources which are of far greater concern to the country if this guy is ever to become Pakistan’s PM.
Wish you best of luck in your efforts Reham.
Thanks for exposing the political elite of Pakistan. To me it seemed like a sequel to My Feudal Lord by Tehmina Durrani who was brave enough to come out and expose the pious political elite of 1970’s.
Shamefully all Pakistan media could talk about from this book was Imran’s sexual encounters and drug addiction. Completely ignoring the corruption element and party’s funding sources which are of far greater concern to the country if this guy is ever to become Pakistan’s PM.
Wish you best of luck in your efforts Reham.
July 18, 2018
Despite ardently following PTI I chose to read this book with an open mind. I must say I was disappointed and majorly so because an autobiography is about yourself as it should suggest. However after 100 pages you might as well rename the book "why you should hate imran khan" or "Scandalous PTI". The book is best for gossip lovers but I couldn't digest any more words. It doesn't help that the cocaine proof was actually an image from Google and there are a lot of places where you question truth therefore after.
To be read for the PMLN walo and the gullibles.
To be read for the PMLN walo and the gullibles.
July 17, 2018
A different perspective
Reham has been bold and clear about a political mogul, pseudo-god and a so called leader who clearly has multiple faces. She has writing nothing new. Everything had been told by different people at different times. It’s just that while narrating her life she had to explain about Imran Khan what she went through.
Reham has been bold and clear about a political mogul, pseudo-god and a so called leader who clearly has multiple faces. She has writing nothing new. Everything had been told by different people at different times. It’s just that while narrating her life she had to explain about Imran Khan what she went through.
July 15, 2018
Simple but engaging
An important story taking a peep into the brain of a political celebrity . Straight and simple. Despite typos the book is important as it is an eyewitness account.
An important story taking a peep into the brain of a political celebrity . Straight and simple. Despite typos the book is important as it is an eyewitness account.
July 18, 2018
This book is just a collection of bad traits of every being the author met.
February 22, 2020
I never had an intention of reading this book but I received a hard copy of this book from Dubai, so I picked it up. I’ll like to add that I have been an ardent supporter of Imran Khan. I live overseas and yet, I traveled to vote for him in Karachi last year, in the elections (2018). My review is based on the book and not on the person/people or events as reported by the local media, social media or international media. I must highlight, there are spelling errors in the book that need another round of editing.
The book begins with the origins of the author, Reham Khan. It starts from her childhood in Libya and Pakistan. There are anecdotes from school and college days. Anecdotes of the family as well. Then the book moves to the marriage of the author to her first cousin, which turns out to be unfortunately abusive. Chronological details were easy to follow in the book up until the point of deterioration of author’s first marriage. Consequently, after the birth of her children and several years into the marriage, she finally picks up the courage to seek divorce. This is where I found the book to become interesting. Through grit and hard work, Reham makes her career in England, while raising three children well. She moves places for work, works hard day and night, does her job well and sends her kids to good schools. Reham proves herself to be an example of a self-made, ambitious and independent woman.
Story takes a turn as Reham relocates to Pakistan. As I continue, I’ll like to add this book doesn’t seem to be hastily written as far as content goes. Considerable thought process went in. The chronological details are understandable which is why I feel, many, if not all, events are real. Having established herself as a journalist in England, Reham moves to Pakistan to pursue the same career there. With time, she meets Imran Khan.
There are very long chapters as we begin the story arc on Imran Khan. Without delving into spoilers, I’ll like to add that I feel, both parties would have thought through before embarking on the journey of marital bliss. This is because both were married prior and divorced with kids. In a Pakistani culture, Reham was bringing her three children into the family and this was a complex situation. Any wrong-doing would have affected the children in different capacities which is why I’m very wary of the fact that these two adults made the decision of getting married. There would have been repercussions and problems in adjustment for children on both sides. And we see this happen as the story progresses.
I’ll also like to add how both Imran and Reham were two people with very differing backgrounds. Reham had a career as a journalist and Imran happened to be a politician. Their careers were to clash and affect their living together. She wanted to have a normal family life, he is a celebrity. There comes a lot of pressure with that status on the family. I think this caused a rift as well. Reham has also not lived in Pakistan but had been in Britain for too long to understand how people in Pakistan are. Hospitable ofcourse, but cutthroat in the market. We see how people around her have been manipulative.
A home is not a team of cricket players, where you could captain everyone around you. Home is home, kids are kids and partners are partners. Given Imran’s sons must accept Reham and her children and vice versa. She has no position in politics and yet, has done something on the ground with her skills, be it the IDPs or for children. That’s the most a powerless common man or woman can deliver in Pakistan. And her doings are not stories she concocted for her book. There are chronological records.
Reham has a rebuttal in the book for the accusations charged at her. Last few chapters on her relation with Imran, are haphazard. She goes back and forth, due to which some events don’t make sense. Reham accused Imran and people around him for drugs, partying, etc. It’s extensive detail which could bore the reader. There’s also the fact that she’s speaking for men in influential positions in Pakistan. Her accusations might have some truth to them, but these men aren’t sitting idle doing nothing. Them being idle is the kind of impression you may get as you read this book.
What bothered me most is the accusation of use of expletives by Imran. From the beginning to the last encounter. My impression is that Reham knew of Imran’s drug problems since before the marriage. She also gradually found much about his current and ex-girlfriends. My problem is, why did you stick around? Was it love? A man keeps insulting you but you choose to stick around. Why? Leave with dignity if he was the one at fault. Her belief that she could change his lifelong habits of drugs and partying at this age when both are with kids and careers, sounded absurd to me. Disturbing chapters were the ones where she talks of magic. That’s because I don’t believe in everyday black magic. I also didn’t like the portrayal of Jemima Goldsmith in the book. I have followed Jemima for long and have utmost respect for her. I can’t have her maligned in my mind. But I’ve tried to be transparent to Reham as well.
This is not the feudal lord by Tehmina Durrani which was an extensive book in itself but written far better. I also believe that PTI followers did Imran’s dirty job for him by maligning Reham and her children. He stepped back gracefully but left the dirty job at the hands of his followers. To me, both are at fault and both couldn’t run a successful marriage. I’ll give this book 3.5 stars but I will have to round it off to the nearest whole number on Goodreads.
The book begins with the origins of the author, Reham Khan. It starts from her childhood in Libya and Pakistan. There are anecdotes from school and college days. Anecdotes of the family as well. Then the book moves to the marriage of the author to her first cousin, which turns out to be unfortunately abusive. Chronological details were easy to follow in the book up until the point of deterioration of author’s first marriage. Consequently, after the birth of her children and several years into the marriage, she finally picks up the courage to seek divorce. This is where I found the book to become interesting. Through grit and hard work, Reham makes her career in England, while raising three children well. She moves places for work, works hard day and night, does her job well and sends her kids to good schools. Reham proves herself to be an example of a self-made, ambitious and independent woman.
Story takes a turn as Reham relocates to Pakistan. As I continue, I’ll like to add this book doesn’t seem to be hastily written as far as content goes. Considerable thought process went in. The chronological details are understandable which is why I feel, many, if not all, events are real. Having established herself as a journalist in England, Reham moves to Pakistan to pursue the same career there. With time, she meets Imran Khan.
There are very long chapters as we begin the story arc on Imran Khan. Without delving into spoilers, I’ll like to add that I feel, both parties would have thought through before embarking on the journey of marital bliss. This is because both were married prior and divorced with kids. In a Pakistani culture, Reham was bringing her three children into the family and this was a complex situation. Any wrong-doing would have affected the children in different capacities which is why I’m very wary of the fact that these two adults made the decision of getting married. There would have been repercussions and problems in adjustment for children on both sides. And we see this happen as the story progresses.
I’ll also like to add how both Imran and Reham were two people with very differing backgrounds. Reham had a career as a journalist and Imran happened to be a politician. Their careers were to clash and affect their living together. She wanted to have a normal family life, he is a celebrity. There comes a lot of pressure with that status on the family. I think this caused a rift as well. Reham has also not lived in Pakistan but had been in Britain for too long to understand how people in Pakistan are. Hospitable ofcourse, but cutthroat in the market. We see how people around her have been manipulative.
A home is not a team of cricket players, where you could captain everyone around you. Home is home, kids are kids and partners are partners. Given Imran’s sons must accept Reham and her children and vice versa. She has no position in politics and yet, has done something on the ground with her skills, be it the IDPs or for children. That’s the most a powerless common man or woman can deliver in Pakistan. And her doings are not stories she concocted for her book. There are chronological records.
Reham has a rebuttal in the book for the accusations charged at her. Last few chapters on her relation with Imran, are haphazard. She goes back and forth, due to which some events don’t make sense. Reham accused Imran and people around him for drugs, partying, etc. It’s extensive detail which could bore the reader. There’s also the fact that she’s speaking for men in influential positions in Pakistan. Her accusations might have some truth to them, but these men aren’t sitting idle doing nothing. Them being idle is the kind of impression you may get as you read this book.
What bothered me most is the accusation of use of expletives by Imran. From the beginning to the last encounter. My impression is that Reham knew of Imran’s drug problems since before the marriage. She also gradually found much about his current and ex-girlfriends. My problem is, why did you stick around? Was it love? A man keeps insulting you but you choose to stick around. Why? Leave with dignity if he was the one at fault. Her belief that she could change his lifelong habits of drugs and partying at this age when both are with kids and careers, sounded absurd to me. Disturbing chapters were the ones where she talks of magic. That’s because I don’t believe in everyday black magic. I also didn’t like the portrayal of Jemima Goldsmith in the book. I have followed Jemima for long and have utmost respect for her. I can’t have her maligned in my mind. But I’ve tried to be transparent to Reham as well.
This is not the feudal lord by Tehmina Durrani which was an extensive book in itself but written far better. I also believe that PTI followers did Imran’s dirty job for him by maligning Reham and her children. He stepped back gracefully but left the dirty job at the hands of his followers. To me, both are at fault and both couldn’t run a successful marriage. I’ll give this book 3.5 stars but I will have to round it off to the nearest whole number on Goodreads.
July 18, 2018
Great book, no holds barred. Tells like it is. Hate her or love her but you have to admire her guts to write a book like this. I am sure the troll army will go to any extent to harass her and threaten her and her family.
Has been yanked off the Indian Amazon Kindle site for reasons best known to them.
Has been yanked off the Indian Amazon Kindle site for reasons best known to them.
July 24, 2018
Could've been named Diary of a Wimpy ex. Giving up after reading a little over half of it.
August 5, 2018
This was probably one of the most carelessly written books I've ever read. EVER. The language isn't engaging, and the writing technique (if there is one) is quite sloppy.
Two things I have a grave problem with. Firstly, this is NOT a biography.
It is a possibly exaggerated account of some of the sufferings of a very, very bitter woman. Secondly, how can anyone be so full of themselves? She speaks of herself as the most beautiful, intelligent, desirable and worthy woman is the world who seemingly has no flaws. That is impossible; last I checked, human beings were very much capable of at least having one flaw.
Not even going to bother delving into all that she says about IK. The only thing genuine about this book and her seems to be the love she has for her children, but even that is constantly concluded with all the sacrifices she's made for them.
I really do want to know this though: did she bother rereading what she wrote or left it all to Sahir? I've seen fever discrepancies in works of fiction than in this.
Two things I have a grave problem with. Firstly, this is NOT a biography.
It is a possibly exaggerated account of some of the sufferings of a very, very bitter woman. Secondly, how can anyone be so full of themselves? She speaks of herself as the most beautiful, intelligent, desirable and worthy woman is the world who seemingly has no flaws. That is impossible; last I checked, human beings were very much capable of at least having one flaw.
Not even going to bother delving into all that she says about IK. The only thing genuine about this book and her seems to be the love she has for her children, but even that is constantly concluded with all the sacrifices she's made for them.
I really do want to know this though: did she bother rereading what she wrote or left it all to Sahir? I've seen fever discrepancies in works of fiction than in this.
July 19, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. At one hand I am inclined to believe a lot of what she says, on the other hand I also believe that Reham is herself being hypocritical while blaming others.
Her struggles of the first marriage are one which many Pakistani women might relate too and had it not been for the pretentious , never-at-fault author, this could have been a powerful narrative to look up to.
As a piece of literature the writing style is odd and repetitive. In certain locations the passage ends abruptly and moves on to another story. Only to link back much later.
I would still recommend others to read the book.
Her struggles of the first marriage are one which many Pakistani women might relate too and had it not been for the pretentious , never-at-fault author, this could have been a powerful narrative to look up to.
As a piece of literature the writing style is odd and repetitive. In certain locations the passage ends abruptly and moves on to another story. Only to link back much later.
I would still recommend others to read the book.
November 16, 2019
This book had either me, getting into fits of laughter, or delving into strange irritated responses, as it has transcended all limits of ethics and morality. I read, the first half of her life with her first psychotic husband with genuine concern, as he put her through rigorous cycles of domestic abuse. The second half of the book focuses on the salacious world of politics, mainly Imran Khan, and the goofs all around him. It was just too much to read.
Reham Khan has always defined herself as a victim of character assassination at the hands of her first husband and fellow countrymen. Ironically, she, herself, has accused almost every character in her autobiography of adultery, wife battering, substance abuse, corruption or treachery.
Reham Khan has always defined herself as a victim of character assassination at the hands of her first husband and fellow countrymen. Ironically, she, herself, has accused almost every character in her autobiography of adultery, wife battering, substance abuse, corruption or treachery.
Read
July 15, 2018I skimmed through the first hundred pages as I was more interested in her very public second marriage with the PTI chairman. The detailed account of Imran Khan's narcissism makes it all very believable. The arrogance, sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, triangulation, projection, lack of relationships, moral depravity and substance abuse_ all the textbook features of Narcissistic Personality Disorder are described. And these match the traits Mr. Khan exhibits publicly.
However it is hard to digest her being an innocent, gullible person not knowing what she was getting into. She had a taste of his behaviour during courtship and throughout the marriage and was willing to put up with it all until he decided to end it all. That kind of shows her moral compass to be skewed as well, despite her claims to the contrary.
However it is hard to digest her being an innocent, gullible person not knowing what she was getting into. She had a taste of his behaviour during courtship and throughout the marriage and was willing to put up with it all until he decided to end it all. That kind of shows her moral compass to be skewed as well, despite her claims to the contrary.
August 4, 2018
A must read sociological treatise for our part of the world, predecsessors for which include books such as ˋThe Punjabi Century´ by Tandon & The Roy Family in Bengali. This book is partly a hagiography of the author and her extended family, and partly an autobiography of her famous ex—husband Imran Khan.
The book is actually quite badly written and lacks a consistent storyline and structure. However since it is self published, without the support of army of editors, copywriters, graphic designers and most importantly a publisher, the book makes up a lot in form of content.
Her exˋs chamchas(sycophants), the Insafian/PTI supporters have been ready to denounce the parts related to her husband as a slander. However the fact that what Imran Khan had himself to say about the book amounts to a total of zero words, says a lot, Daal mein kuchh kaala hai!
In fact from an Indian point of view the part related to Imran is not the reason to read this book, because this cocaine addicted charsi wazir is no different from the same of his ilk on our side of the border, sab hi ek thaali ke chatte batte hain!
The reason to read this is the first part of the book, providing an insightful delightful account of her pathan culture, especially the strict Deobandi Sunni Muslim outlook of her life, the same school of her religion to which the Taliban, and the likes of Mullah Umar belong. However this is also a modern liberated western Muslim woman, herein is the way for future, to tolerate and coopt.
At the same time it is wrong to criticize Imran for his faith, which does include, as is common among ghe subcontinent muslim, some pagan influence. It is also wrong to accuse him of being basically a Jewish spy because her predecessor was Jewish. There is also nothing wrong in accepting political donations from Shias businesses such as the Abbaraaaj group, as long as it is rightfully earned.
The last part of the book on Corbyn is BS, what it is doing in the book, I could not understand.
My reason to read this book would be a general interest in unadulterated experience, there is very little which is this authentic!
The book is actually quite badly written and lacks a consistent storyline and structure. However since it is self published, without the support of army of editors, copywriters, graphic designers and most importantly a publisher, the book makes up a lot in form of content.
Her exˋs chamchas(sycophants), the Insafian/PTI supporters have been ready to denounce the parts related to her husband as a slander. However the fact that what Imran Khan had himself to say about the book amounts to a total of zero words, says a lot, Daal mein kuchh kaala hai!
In fact from an Indian point of view the part related to Imran is not the reason to read this book, because this cocaine addicted charsi wazir is no different from the same of his ilk on our side of the border, sab hi ek thaali ke chatte batte hain!
The reason to read this is the first part of the book, providing an insightful delightful account of her pathan culture, especially the strict Deobandi Sunni Muslim outlook of her life, the same school of her religion to which the Taliban, and the likes of Mullah Umar belong. However this is also a modern liberated western Muslim woman, herein is the way for future, to tolerate and coopt.
At the same time it is wrong to criticize Imran for his faith, which does include, as is common among ghe subcontinent muslim, some pagan influence. It is also wrong to accuse him of being basically a Jewish spy because her predecessor was Jewish. There is also nothing wrong in accepting political donations from Shias businesses such as the Abbaraaaj group, as long as it is rightfully earned.
The last part of the book on Corbyn is BS, what it is doing in the book, I could not understand.
My reason to read this book would be a general interest in unadulterated experience, there is very little which is this authentic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2018
Not as big of a monster book that everyone made it out to be. Some chapters are interesting, some are dull and some are insipid. She does present her side well; however she should have hired someone else to write this book as her prose is not interesting. Sometimes the writing seems childish.
Only time will tell how true/false her observations have been. As a book, it was fine: presented her side, her history, her life, her kids and her journey as a single parent well.
Should not have married IK. She could have been quite a thing on her own. All went downhill from then onwards. Now she is reduced to this one identity of ex mrs. khan and that, I am afraid is going to stick around.
Her own obsession is not helping her case either.
Only time will tell how true/false her observations have been. As a book, it was fine: presented her side, her history, her life, her kids and her journey as a single parent well.
Should not have married IK. She could have been quite a thing on her own. All went downhill from then onwards. Now she is reduced to this one identity of ex mrs. khan and that, I am afraid is going to stick around.
Her own obsession is not helping her case either.
July 26, 2018
I was quite excited to start this book although I am not a supporter of Reham Khan but I like to see both sides of the coin.
I must say I was underwhelmed by it.The starting interested me but a few chapters in I noticed the recurring phase “I am better,I can do this and that” from Reham.She compliments herself in almost unnoticeable manner but the sharp mind of a reader can detect that.This attitude was what led me to lose interest to further read this and I judged it completely unfazed by the political hype abd controversy surrounding it
I must say I was underwhelmed by it.The starting interested me but a few chapters in I noticed the recurring phase “I am better,I can do this and that” from Reham.She compliments herself in almost unnoticeable manner but the sharp mind of a reader can detect that.This attitude was what led me to lose interest to further read this and I judged it completely unfazed by the political hype abd controversy surrounding it
August 8, 2018
Waste of time and effort.
June 16, 2019
Amazing journey of a women
Reham after reading this book respect for you increased 100 folds you’re an awesome mom and a brave lady . Keep fighting tigerres
Reham after reading this book respect for you increased 100 folds you’re an awesome mom and a brave lady . Keep fighting tigerres
October 6, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book, despite all controversies. I thought she wrote well!
June 22, 2023
The worst autobiography ever read for me.
The tone says it all. She has presented herself as the most innocent, beautiful, and all good lady whom everyone wants to achieve.. But when you take things critically she'll get exposed by her tone only.
She did her level best of IK but got nothing in response.
She presents herself as the perfect innocent, whom the whole world is against.
Her self obsessity can be checked through,
"After the Panama decision, when the sitting PM was dismissed on the flimsy grounds of not declaring receivable assets, there was suddenly a political vacuum. It made people feel vulnerable and look towards me for leadership and guidance. I was one of few familiar personalities that people had expectations of" hahah.
The tone says it all. She has presented herself as the most innocent, beautiful, and all good lady whom everyone wants to achieve.. But when you take things critically she'll get exposed by her tone only.
She did her level best of IK but got nothing in response.
She presents herself as the perfect innocent, whom the whole world is against.
Her self obsessity can be checked through,
"After the Panama decision, when the sitting PM was dismissed on the flimsy grounds of not declaring receivable assets, there was suddenly a political vacuum. It made people feel vulnerable and look towards me for leadership and guidance. I was one of few familiar personalities that people had expectations of" hahah.
August 10, 2018
2.5 stars
I feel pretty conflicted trying to review this book. On the one hand, it severely tested my patience. On the other, I see the author at the receiving end of too much vitriol which seems unjustified.
So I'd like to take some time to put down both positives and negatives as fairly as I can.
Starting with the negatives, let me not mince words.
1. This book is edited terribly. The writing is rambling, goes back and forth in chronological order and constantly confuses the reader.
2. It regurgitates the author's account of events verbatim, without seeking to condense it for a reader. This results in too many meaningless pages. Good editing could easily have pared the book down to a much more digestible and taut 180 - 200 pages.
3. Reham Khan (or RK, as she seems to like referring to herself), seems to be constantly trying her best to portray a certain image of herself. This comes across not-too-subtly, and is quite an irritant.
She never misses any opportunity to point out how she's a true Muslim - this is the standard trope used by people to bolster their own standing with a certain target audience in mind, while also implying that the people who have wronged her are also bad because they're not good Muslims like she is.
4. RK's (why not use her own acronym for herself) tendency to constantly pepper her narrative with her beliefs about life and how people should be gets infuriating after a point. She'd actually be in the middle of giving the reader a good insight into her abusive first husband's behavior - and then she would ruin it all with her *background commentary* about how such men who bully and abuse their wives are actually weak insecure beings inside.
To sum it up, a work of fiction needs to be engaging and well constructed.
A work of non-fiction needs to be well edited and informative, and not waste the reader's time with irrelevant material.
This book is neither. So it certainly isn't the best. However, that doesn't mean there is nothing redeemable about it.
There are positives about the book for someone willing to work hard at unearthing them.
1. Reading this book gives a very good picture of the dangerous culture of hero-worship prevalent in the entire subcontinent. This is something I see happening all too often in my own country too, and thus, find it very relatable and believable. The country's heroes can do no wrong even when they do commit the most egregious crimes!
2. The picture painted of Imran Khan is quite believable to be honest, especially the bits about his celebrity crazed fans and his home dynamic - the way his relatives use him, and the way his ex-wife and her family still manage to exert undue influence on him (the power of money truly transcends boundaries of country and religion).
3. Also, the book didn't seem to focus exclusively on IK's sexual escapades and alleged preferences, although that's the kind of reputation it had gathered. It does try to give an honest account (as honest as the author could be, given her natural biases, I suppose) of the corruption and suboptimal decision making within the PTI itself.
So in this sense, it would be unfair to condemn RK of using only gossip to seek revenge on her ex-husband.
4. Reham Khan, for all the poor editing and rambling writing does come across as an intelligent woman. Her insights into the unfair treatment meted out by Pakistan's government to border areas like KP and Balochistan are informative. It gives a better understanding of the forces at play in the country, while dealing with these border areas - the porous border with Afghanistan, the fact that wheat is costly but drugs are dirt cheap, the difficulty of young men finding employment and the lure of terrorism as the only viable "employment" for these men.. All of these for me, were the more valuable insights that RK's journalistic self offers the reader.
5. No matter how biased the author is being in portraying herself relentlessly as the victim - and I do admit this portrayal did irk me - it is still true that she has been through a lot. Her first abusive marriage would, in itself, constitute more bad experiences than most "normal" people would face in a lifetime. So yes, her resilience in the face of the troubles she's faced in life is refreshing to see - although a bit of wisdom and forethought could perhaps have saved her the experience of at least the second bad marriage.
On the whole, I'd say this is a book to be skimmed through and not read painstakingly. There are useful insights and believable accounts inside the book, one just has to be a bit balanced and analyze her account objectively - at times discounting RK's holier-than-thou attitude, and at times putting aside pre-conceived notions about larger-than-life figures in the country.
I feel pretty conflicted trying to review this book. On the one hand, it severely tested my patience. On the other, I see the author at the receiving end of too much vitriol which seems unjustified.
So I'd like to take some time to put down both positives and negatives as fairly as I can.
Starting with the negatives, let me not mince words.
1. This book is edited terribly. The writing is rambling, goes back and forth in chronological order and constantly confuses the reader.
2. It regurgitates the author's account of events verbatim, without seeking to condense it for a reader. This results in too many meaningless pages. Good editing could easily have pared the book down to a much more digestible and taut 180 - 200 pages.
3. Reham Khan (or RK, as she seems to like referring to herself), seems to be constantly trying her best to portray a certain image of herself. This comes across not-too-subtly, and is quite an irritant.
She never misses any opportunity to point out how she's a true Muslim - this is the standard trope used by people to bolster their own standing with a certain target audience in mind, while also implying that the people who have wronged her are also bad because they're not good Muslims like she is.
4. RK's (why not use her own acronym for herself) tendency to constantly pepper her narrative with her beliefs about life and how people should be gets infuriating after a point. She'd actually be in the middle of giving the reader a good insight into her abusive first husband's behavior - and then she would ruin it all with her *background commentary* about how such men who bully and abuse their wives are actually weak insecure beings inside.
To sum it up, a work of fiction needs to be engaging and well constructed.
A work of non-fiction needs to be well edited and informative, and not waste the reader's time with irrelevant material.
This book is neither. So it certainly isn't the best. However, that doesn't mean there is nothing redeemable about it.
There are positives about the book for someone willing to work hard at unearthing them.
1. Reading this book gives a very good picture of the dangerous culture of hero-worship prevalent in the entire subcontinent. This is something I see happening all too often in my own country too, and thus, find it very relatable and believable. The country's heroes can do no wrong even when they do commit the most egregious crimes!
2. The picture painted of Imran Khan is quite believable to be honest, especially the bits about his celebrity crazed fans and his home dynamic - the way his relatives use him, and the way his ex-wife and her family still manage to exert undue influence on him (the power of money truly transcends boundaries of country and religion).
3. Also, the book didn't seem to focus exclusively on IK's sexual escapades and alleged preferences, although that's the kind of reputation it had gathered. It does try to give an honest account (as honest as the author could be, given her natural biases, I suppose) of the corruption and suboptimal decision making within the PTI itself.
So in this sense, it would be unfair to condemn RK of using only gossip to seek revenge on her ex-husband.
4. Reham Khan, for all the poor editing and rambling writing does come across as an intelligent woman. Her insights into the unfair treatment meted out by Pakistan's government to border areas like KP and Balochistan are informative. It gives a better understanding of the forces at play in the country, while dealing with these border areas - the porous border with Afghanistan, the fact that wheat is costly but drugs are dirt cheap, the difficulty of young men finding employment and the lure of terrorism as the only viable "employment" for these men.. All of these for me, were the more valuable insights that RK's journalistic self offers the reader.
5. No matter how biased the author is being in portraying herself relentlessly as the victim - and I do admit this portrayal did irk me - it is still true that she has been through a lot. Her first abusive marriage would, in itself, constitute more bad experiences than most "normal" people would face in a lifetime. So yes, her resilience in the face of the troubles she's faced in life is refreshing to see - although a bit of wisdom and forethought could perhaps have saved her the experience of at least the second bad marriage.
On the whole, I'd say this is a book to be skimmed through and not read painstakingly. There are useful insights and believable accounts inside the book, one just has to be a bit balanced and analyze her account objectively - at times discounting RK's holier-than-thou attitude, and at times putting aside pre-conceived notions about larger-than-life figures in the country.
July 24, 2018
The book is a pile of lame accusations, void of seriousness of purpose, shallow, superficial and forced discourse of a politically malicious and rotten agenda.
Reham Khan accuses more the Khan with whom she spent only 15 months, but no significant mention of her husband with whom she spent 15 years of her life.
The hollowness and hideous intention of her book becomes evident right from the beginning. She spends no time introducing the key issue of the book to be addressed in the book, but jumps directly, like a frustrated and self-bitten loser, to attack a person who is an emerging world leader. Her book has no mention of women who have been corrupted, and deprived of their chastity by many political public office holders, and she also overlooks the manipulation of Muslim women by religious elite. Why so? One sided accusations and one sided logic is hypocritical, narcissist, and a tendency of narrow minded religious and fake liberal-cum-orthodox politicians.
I would put a caution for serious readers to be kind to their time, and intellectual veracity. Don't waste time and money on this book...
Reham Khan accuses more the Khan with whom she spent only 15 months, but no significant mention of her husband with whom she spent 15 years of her life.
The hollowness and hideous intention of her book becomes evident right from the beginning. She spends no time introducing the key issue of the book to be addressed in the book, but jumps directly, like a frustrated and self-bitten loser, to attack a person who is an emerging world leader. Her book has no mention of women who have been corrupted, and deprived of their chastity by many political public office holders, and she also overlooks the manipulation of Muslim women by religious elite. Why so? One sided accusations and one sided logic is hypocritical, narcissist, and a tendency of narrow minded religious and fake liberal-cum-orthodox politicians.
I would put a caution for serious readers to be kind to their time, and intellectual veracity. Don't waste time and money on this book...
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