For the Love of a Son: One Afghan Woman's Quest for Her Stolen Child

The title of this book, quest for her stolen child, deals only with a small segment of the book. I found that most of the book was about women and their horrendous lives with constant abuses, beatings, tortures in Afghanistan and other Islamic countries. The narrator of the story, relates her real life experiences by beginning the story of her grandmother and how she tried to survive the inhumane demands of living in a feudal, tribal environment. She is forced to become the fourth wife of a powerful and cruel leader of a clan, and constantly mistreated by the other wives. The narrator swears that she will not be mistreated as her grandmother was, but ultimately she is. Even though she experiences freedom in America, she finds that she must succumb to the demands of her family, culture and religion to accept an arranged marriage. Her perverted husband beats and rapes her, physically, emotionally, and mentally tortures her in unthinkable ways. Her family refuses to help her in any way because that is NOT done in this society. Every person not from the Middle East needs to read and learn from this fascinating and true story where women are not educated, cannot leave the house without a male escort, not allowed to work outside the home, are constantly physically beaten, cannot inherit property or money, cannot choose divorce (but their husbands can), have no credence in courts, lose custody of their children if they do manage to escape, etc., and basically are treated worse than rest of the world treat their pets. At times I was frustrated because I just wanted to jump into the book and help the narrator. However, I feel that the Islamic women of this part of the world MUST evolve and only they can do it. I highly recommend this book. It is well-written and a fascinating read which I could not put down.

This is the kind of book I could not ever put away on the shelf. I still retread parts of it. Maybe because I keep hoping the truth will change. Or because I am trying so hard to understand these shattered relationships. But the truth that comes across in this book is that the author does not give herself enough credit for her courage to escape and to survive against terrible circumstances. But even though she is from a foreign culture the truth of what women are expected to accept and endure is not so different than what women who live at poverty level in American culture experience. The sad part is none of these women from either culture know how intelligent and courageous they are and they don't give themselves credit for the ways in which they cope and sacrifice for those they love. Above all I find it so painful that her son was so destroyed because they both are suffering. I wish I had some sage advice to help her, but all I can do is thank her for her honesty and decision to make the experience known

I am using the Kindle version of this book. This book tells the story of an Afghan women and her family. The story goes into the past through her father's life and then her own story. The family lives through tribal wars, the Russian war the Mujahedine and then the Taliban. The main character live is told. She is very modern for an Muslim woman and she is raised very lovingly and by modern parents. In America she agrees to an arrainged marriage and gets beaten and abused. At the end of her marriage her son is stolen from her and taken by his abusive father into Afghanistan. She marries and Saudi man who is very nice but she does have problems with the way women get treated in Saudi Arabia. She finally has another son with her new husband who is very kind to her. Finally towards the end and with a lot of difficulties she meets her first son again. I really like this book and can recommend it to people who are interested in Women of the World stories.

This is a very realist, but sad story of a woman who, having lost her mother, became enmeshed with trying to please her father by marrying the charming man of his choice against her better judgment and the alarmed warnings of her friends and their families. She finds the courage to flee her brutal husband, but then becomes a victim of her hide-bound culture which results in the loss of her son who is stolen out of the country and raised to hate everything that she represents. The ending is tragic, bittersweet, and reveals the love of a mother who will do anything to keep hope alive.

Having read a couple of memoires and books on the MidEast, this book did not disappoint. Makes one realize the wonderful freedoms enjoyed in our great country and have an appreciation for the struggles of women not as fortunate as we. Well written and at times a page turner. I found it was well worth my time to have a better understanding of the Arab nation and their attitude toward women in a story that will touch every mother's heart.

People in this country don't know how good they have it living hear. I found this book a great true story by a great writer. About what Afghan woman have to put up with after marrage

All of Jeanne Sasson's books are well worth reading. This one is no different. These stories need to be told so those of us who have no knowledge whatsoever of how women in the Middle East are treated, can be informed. Some stories are more horrific than others. If you haven't read Yasmine...I recommend you do so. With this disclaimer, it is a very traumatic read.

I couldn't put this book down. This poor mother went through so much. I can't imagine the pain in her heart. Jean Sasson never lets you down. Her books grab your attention and keeps it throughout her books. Her knowledge of the treatment of women in that part of the world is evident and enlightening. It makes you appreciate what we have, while enraging you at how women are treated in some countries. Highly recommend this and all of her books.