audiobook Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail (Oprah's Book Club) by Malika Oufkir in History

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Unbelievable courage in horrorific conditions!By KcornI saw an interview with Malika Oufkir on Oprah Winfrey's show and was so taken by her courage; her incredible spiritual strength and the unbelievable horror of her tale; that I felt I had to know more. I found this version to be an inspiring testimony to the human spirit but also an honest account of the terrible toll of this family's ordeal; leaving one brother "a permanent child" in Malika's own words; a brother who found adjusting to a normal; free life nearly impossible and who is still suffering the effects of his imprisonment.For their part; Oufkir and her sisters were left suspicious of men; emotionally scarred by what they survived...and yet they also managed to find the strength to serve as witnesses to their injustice and to find the courage to speak out. This is one of the most inspiring true-life accounts I've read in the last year and one I'd put on any "must read" list. If you dont know the details of Oufkir's story; here's a brief summary: At the age of 5; Malika Oufkir; eldest daughter of General Oufkir; was adopted by King Muhammad V of Morocco; a man who wanted an available playmate for his young daughter. While in the palace; Oufkir led a life of a fairy princess; in total luxury --- until her father was found guilty of treason as part of a coup to overthrow the new regime (led by King Hassan II). Malika's father was executed and she; her mother and her brother and sisters were immediately imprisoned. From one day to the next; Oufkir went from luxury to a struggle for her very existence; living in conditions that you can't believe until you read about it. There were times when one or the other would try and commit suicide (her brother when he was only 7) or be forced to eat food drenched in rat urine. And yet they DID persevere and manage to escape to tell their tale. Please don't assume that the grim details in this book (and I won't pull any punches; there are parts of this book that are difficult to read0 take away from the inspiration to be found here. After finishing this book; I actually felt uplifted and was amazed that I did; buoyed by the fact that this family went through such horror and yet managed to find the courage to survive - and then to tell about it.17 of 19 people found the following review helpful. When everything is taken away and only the spirit remains...By KcornI saw an interview with Malika Oufkir on Oprah Winfrey's show and was so taken by her courage; her incredible spiritual strength and the unbelievable horror of her tale; that I felt I had to read this book. I found it to be an inspiring testimony to the human spirit but also an honest account of the terrible toll of this family's ordeal; leaving one brother "a permanent child" in Malika's own words; a brother who found adjusting to a normal; free life nearly impossible and who is still suffering the effects of his imprisonment.For their part; Oufkir and her sisters were left suspicious of men; emotionally scarred by what they survived...and yet they also managed to find the strength to serve as witnesses to their injustice and to find the courage to speak out. This is one of the most inspiring true-life accounts I've read in the last year and one I'd put on any "must read" list. If you dont know the details of Oufkir's story; here's a brief summary: At the age of 5; Malika Oufkir; eldest daughter of General Oufkir; was adopted by King Muhammad V of Morocco; a man who wanted an available playmate for his young daughter. While in the palace; Oufkir led a life of a fairy princess; in total luxury --- until her father was found guilty of treason as part of a coup to overthrow the new regime (led by King Hassan II). Malika's father was executed and she; her mother and her brother and sisters were immediately imprisoned. From one day to the next; Oufkir went from luxury to a struggle for her very existence; living in conditions that you can't believe until you read about it. There were times when one or the other would try and commit suicide (her brother when he was only 7) or be forced to eat food drenched in rat urine. And yet they DID persevere and manage to escape to tell their tale. Please don't assume that the grim details in this book (and I won't pull any punches; there are parts of this book that are difficult to read0 take away from the inspiration to be found here. After finishing this book; I actually felt uplifted and was amazed that I did; buoyed by the fact that this family went through such horror and yet managed to find the courage to survive - and then to tell about it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy gennaGreat read and true story