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Mosaic
Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City and the exotic splendor of Jordan, Mosaic is a story of love and betrayal, of a clash of cultures and traditions---and one woman's struggle to rebuild her life.
Like many working mothers, Dina Ahmed has become adept at juggling her family and her work. She's the owner of Mosaic, a thriving floral design business, and has been blessed with success, beauty, and, most important, a happy family.
But when she returns home one day to discover that her six-year-old twins have vanished, Dina is forced to admit that her life and her marriage were not as perfect as she'd once believed. After many desperate phone calls---and anxious hours spent piecing the puzzle together---Dina accepts the terrible truth: Her husband, Karim, has taken the twins to his homeland of Jordan to raise the children with his family there.
The authorities can do nothing to bring Dina's children back, and even her father's contacts in the U.S. State Department are of little help. Karim's family is wealthy and powerful, and even though Dina is half Arab herself, her options are limited.
Distraught, but determined to fight, Dina travels to Jordan to confront her husband and to enact a desperate plan to get her children back---but at what risk?
Like many working mothers, Dina Ahmed has become adept at juggling her family and her work. She's the owner of Mosaic, a thriving floral design business, and has been blessed with success, beauty, and, most important, a happy family.
But when she returns home one day to discover that her six-year-old twins have vanished, Dina is forced to admit that her life and her marriage were not as perfect as she'd once believed. After many desperate phone calls---and anxious hours spent piecing the puzzle together---Dina accepts the terrible truth: Her husband, Karim, has taken the twins to his homeland of Jordan to raise the children with his family there.
The authorities can do nothing to bring Dina's children back, and even her father's contacts in the U.S. State Department are of little help. Karim's family is wealthy and powerful, and even though Dina is half Arab herself, her options are limited.
Distraught, but determined to fight, Dina travels to Jordan to confront her husband and to enact a desperate plan to get her children back---but at what risk?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2003
20 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Soheir Khashoggi
18Ìýbooks61ÌýfollowersSoheir Khashoggi is a Saudi Arabian writer. A member of one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent families (her brother is the illustrious millionaire Adnan Khashoggi and her father was the royal physician), she was born in Alexandria, Egypt, attended university in Beirut, Lebanon, and is now living in New York City.
She has published three novels, Mirage, Mosaic, and Nadia's Song.
She has published three novels, Mirage, Mosaic, and Nadia's Song.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 5, 2015
So I got this book from a book expedition, I liked the idea of the connection of NY and Amman, I guess it was not a good book, nor a bad one, but it made me think of cultural differences and it's impact on relationships.
So what is this book about? A rich Jordanian Muslim guy (not a committed Muslim since he drinks!!) who marries a Lebanese Christian lady, have three kids, and living in the U.S.
After 11 of Sep. He started to feel the discrimination, and that he and his kids are not welcomed any more in the States, and he starts to think that living their will prevent him from raising his kids according to the way he was raised up (The Jordanian way), and he blames his wife that his eldest kid turned out to be gay!! so he kidnaps the kids (except the eldest, cause he feels ashamed of him and does not want him as a son), head to Jordan, and decides not to come back.
Then the mom goes in a journey to get back her kids. Long story short..she gets them back!!
What I did not like about the book, is that it indirectly implied that the problems were due to religion more than culture...for example...the mom's father was Arab, her mom was Greek, however..since they were Christians...they managed to over come differences!! her friend was American...her boyfriend was Syrian..however..since they were Jews..there was no problem!! and for her and her husband (who was not a committed Muslim)they could not overcome differences...cuz they come from different cultures!!As if no Americans ask their wife to quit their job and take care of the kids!! or don't accept homosexual kids!!
I wish the writer didn't try to show Jordanians as haters..it hurts to be accused of that!!...I have been living in Jordan most of my life...one thing we are so proud of is our hospitality...that our country is a home for everyone...regardless of their religion or nationality...
So what is this book about? A rich Jordanian Muslim guy (not a committed Muslim since he drinks!!) who marries a Lebanese Christian lady, have three kids, and living in the U.S.
After 11 of Sep. He started to feel the discrimination, and that he and his kids are not welcomed any more in the States, and he starts to think that living their will prevent him from raising his kids according to the way he was raised up (The Jordanian way), and he blames his wife that his eldest kid turned out to be gay!! so he kidnaps the kids (except the eldest, cause he feels ashamed of him and does not want him as a son), head to Jordan, and decides not to come back.
Then the mom goes in a journey to get back her kids. Long story short..she gets them back!!
What I did not like about the book, is that it indirectly implied that the problems were due to religion more than culture...for example...the mom's father was Arab, her mom was Greek, however..since they were Christians...they managed to over come differences!! her friend was American...her boyfriend was Syrian..however..since they were Jews..there was no problem!! and for her and her husband (who was not a committed Muslim)they could not overcome differences...cuz they come from different cultures!!As if no Americans ask their wife to quit their job and take care of the kids!! or don't accept homosexual kids!!
I wish the writer didn't try to show Jordanians as haters..it hurts to be accused of that!!...I have been living in Jordan most of my life...one thing we are so proud of is our hospitality...that our country is a home for everyone...regardless of their religion or nationality...
June 13, 2014
Pass this one. Better to read the more gripping Not Without My Daughter. The past few years have seen a not so unexpected surge of interest in Iranian, Iraqi, Afghani and you name it I have it Islam-kind of books. I confess I love reading such books. Offers a glimpse into a culture so different yet so similar to one I claim to belong to. But what is Mosaic? Ya ya, Dina Ahmadwakes up one day, finds that her husband, a Jordanian has taken their two kids and nanny to beloved Jordan. Boo hooing Dina teams with some verrrrrrrrrrry understanding friends - then finds some mysterious detective who comes to Jordan with her. They try to abduct the children back to beloved America. Ahem. Great story.
What happens? Husband has a change of heart. Decides to give one of the kids back - the daughter. And then, the son does a disappearing act, and bingo, Dad is completely changed. Returns both. End of story.
Spare me. Spare me. Spare me Soheir Khashoggi. There might be lots who will like this book. I definitely will never join them.
What happens? Husband has a change of heart. Decides to give one of the kids back - the daughter. And then, the son does a disappearing act, and bingo, Dad is completely changed. Returns both. End of story.
Spare me. Spare me. Spare me Soheir Khashoggi. There might be lots who will like this book. I definitely will never join them.
March 2, 2015
Nice story about life amidst cross cultures and undying mother's love. Worth a read..!!
October 27, 2014
Let me start by saying that before reading the book,I glanced at the author's introduction, which aroused my suspicions. For in my opinion, most of the Arab/Muslim authors are ever ready to ditch and sully their culture/religion in the mistaken belief that their experiences constitute and define the entire religion. So any sympathies I have for the person disappear instantly.
Just as I expected, the novel read like a vendetta against the Arab world and beliefs. Dina seems to be a quite selfish lady, unwilling to give in to any of her husband's requests. Later, of course, she starts working from home, which if she had done sooner, Karim may not have taken the drastic steps he did. The point being that she wanted to live her life on her own terms, and making her husband happy counted as a sacrifice and compromise in her eyes.
This is no way justifies Karim's actions. Instead of secreting his kids out of the country like a petty kidnapper, he should have chosen a different way. Although, I am totally on team Karim. Because I feel that a kid needs a large loving family to take care of him. A kid needs to feel special and loved, surrounded by family. Not a just a nanny.
And let's face it, if Karim hadn't done what he did, the kids would not get to spend a lot of time with their mother, would they?
Also, I didn't like the way the children seemed to barely miss their father at all. I mean, according to the book, Karim was a doting father, and I feel his absence should have affected the kids in a more marked way, considering that there wasn't even the distraction of a foreign land, loads of relatives like in Dina's case. The 'bad nightmares, moodiness' just doesn't seem to cut it.
Karim's reaction to Jordan is understandable. And I don't know how Dina could expect any different. I mean homosexuality is not accepted in most religions, so of course Karim would react like that. Of course, he should have handled it better, and tried speaking to him about it instead of banishing him like that.
One thing I do like about the novel is how beautifully the three multicultural friends get along. They are all different yet love and support each other.
This novel seems to take the stand that women are better off without men. Em breaks up with Sean and is alone at the end. Dina's lifers shown as much improved after Karim walks out of it. She is reunited with her spoiled firstborn. She can now celebrate Christmas and any occasion as she sees fit. She even found a potential boyfriend. In truth, I can't even understand why she got married in the first place if she found life so constricting in accommodating the wishes of someone besides herself. Selfish, selfish.
Just as I expected, the novel read like a vendetta against the Arab world and beliefs. Dina seems to be a quite selfish lady, unwilling to give in to any of her husband's requests. Later, of course, she starts working from home, which if she had done sooner, Karim may not have taken the drastic steps he did. The point being that she wanted to live her life on her own terms, and making her husband happy counted as a sacrifice and compromise in her eyes.
This is no way justifies Karim's actions. Instead of secreting his kids out of the country like a petty kidnapper, he should have chosen a different way. Although, I am totally on team Karim. Because I feel that a kid needs a large loving family to take care of him. A kid needs to feel special and loved, surrounded by family. Not a just a nanny.
And let's face it, if Karim hadn't done what he did, the kids would not get to spend a lot of time with their mother, would they?
Also, I didn't like the way the children seemed to barely miss their father at all. I mean, according to the book, Karim was a doting father, and I feel his absence should have affected the kids in a more marked way, considering that there wasn't even the distraction of a foreign land, loads of relatives like in Dina's case. The 'bad nightmares, moodiness' just doesn't seem to cut it.
Karim's reaction to Jordan is understandable. And I don't know how Dina could expect any different. I mean homosexuality is not accepted in most religions, so of course Karim would react like that. Of course, he should have handled it better, and tried speaking to him about it instead of banishing him like that.
One thing I do like about the novel is how beautifully the three multicultural friends get along. They are all different yet love and support each other.
This novel seems to take the stand that women are better off without men. Em breaks up with Sean and is alone at the end. Dina's lifers shown as much improved after Karim walks out of it. She is reunited with her spoiled firstborn. She can now celebrate Christmas and any occasion as she sees fit. She even found a potential boyfriend. In truth, I can't even understand why she got married in the first place if she found life so constricting in accommodating the wishes of someone besides herself. Selfish, selfish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2009
The blurb above gives you a fairly good idea about the family-saga. This book depicts the problems that are faced by Dina and Karim who live in New York. About the time of their marriage, Karim is more modern and has the modern views we link, but as years pass, his Jordanian values and ideas of family become more and more prominent. Dina on the other hand, even being half Arab herself is born and brought up in US, giving her the culture and attitude that most people admire. She painfully juggles between work and home. Everything looks perfect until one day when she returns home, her 6 r old twins, Karim and the kid' Nanny are missing. Karim has taken the twins home to Jordan, so as to give them more traditional outlook and a "good" way of living. Dina's first-born Jordan, feels it's because of him this has happened, which is partly true. Dina and her 2 close friends try hard to formulate a way to get the twins back! Dina has not divorced Karim which makes it impossible for her to get the twins back, the fact that his family are a powerful politically in Jordan doesn't help her cause wither! She employs "special" people to get her babies back, what special people? What special plan? Does it work? it is for you to find out.
One thing I liked about this book was that the author was not biased on showing just the mothers pain and desperation. What makes Karim take the step that he takes, what are his thoughts...everything is detailed in a beautiful manner. Another good thing about this book is a beautiful peek into Jordanian culture! I know while reading the book, I hated the family, but that doesn't mean that I was not intrigued by their culture, their bonding and how women were generally treated down there.
All in all a delightful read!
One thing I liked about this book was that the author was not biased on showing just the mothers pain and desperation. What makes Karim take the step that he takes, what are his thoughts...everything is detailed in a beautiful manner. Another good thing about this book is a beautiful peek into Jordanian culture! I know while reading the book, I hated the family, but that doesn't mean that I was not intrigued by their culture, their bonding and how women were generally treated down there.
All in all a delightful read!
May 29, 2014
Very poorly written book. Author promoted wrong culture and values. She promoted single parenting, sleeping around while still married, homosexuality, disrespect. There is good and bad in every culture and religion, but the author tried to portrayed American culture is the way of living but yet on other hand all the female characters in the book were miserable and lonely. Muslim culture and religion is not harsh by any means so please don't portray us like barbarians. We are very proud of our culture and religion and our family values thats why in old age we do not end up in mental institutes and nursing homes. I was going to read more books from her but I am so mad at her writing and her thinking that I will not promote this writer anywhere in a positive manner.
May 20, 2012
Tastefully written, the novel doesn't take sides and brings up a mother's anguish at being separated from her children against a father's conviction on raising his children as per his values. The taut storytelling keeps the suspense high throughout, and the plot twists are both surprising and realistic, as the author wisely avoids both thriller clichés and post-9/11 politics to engineer a series of believable, thought-provoking compromises.
March 2, 2021
am biased to this kind of novel which tries to be close to my culture although it should have more depth because the plot and characters deserved more.
August 20, 2012
So I expected this book to be an updated, more "fair" (i.e. less biased, less prejudiced) version of the well-known "Not Without My Daughter" version of book. And to be fair, it is a better version. It's not as biased, not as prejudiced. I had high hopes, given that the author was born in Egypt and comes from a Saudi family. Unfortunately that didn't seem to matter in this book's case.
At the beginning of the book you get a short introduction to Karim in a neutral way. And then later, there are *some* attempts at giving a voice to Dina's husband Karim (the scary Arab who steals the children to raise them in an equally scary Muslim country). However, those attempts are minimal (like crumbs thrown in to allay criticism). For example, the author *hints* at Karim's difficulties in America post 9-11, but she doesn't in any manner describe those difficulties in a human manner so that the reader could understand the psychological damage done to Karim, and why he might feel his own children might be in danger (i.e. possible verbal harassment, physical harassment, increased anti-Muslim hate crimes increasing in number every year since 2001, etc.). The author then treats Karim's family in Jordan much like she treats Karim. The family is portrayed in a very caricature manner (surly manner, unfriendly, always disapproving, lacking in the traditional Arab manner of welcoming guests, etc.). No attempt is made to give a back story for WHY certain family members might feel the way they do, act the way they do, etc. And then once again, the author throws in one person, a sister-in-law, who is mildly friendly and helpful, just so that you know that not ALL Arabs are completely horrible. The book simply doesn't do a good job of covering the various characters in this story in a real, human manner. Only the American characters seem to get back stories and descriptions for why they act the way they do, why they have the feelings they have.
The story itself? It's generally entertaining. You have the main story (i.e. Dina trying to get her kidnapped children back from Jordan) and then several side stories (i.e. Dina's two best friends and their respective love lives). The characters are generally likable (the American ones, that is).Although Dina's relationship with her oldest son, Jordy, is not without it's criticisms. Personally, I didn't find the ending to the story at all realistic, but I can't explain why without giving away the end (and I hate to put a spoiler in my review).
Since yes, there are lots of real, legitimate stories of one parent stealing children from another and taking them to live in a second country... I'm sure there are well written, nonfiction stories out there that do a much better job of telling a story like this one that (I'd hope) are more nuanced and give a better idea of the complex issues involved.
At the beginning of the book you get a short introduction to Karim in a neutral way. And then later, there are *some* attempts at giving a voice to Dina's husband Karim (the scary Arab who steals the children to raise them in an equally scary Muslim country). However, those attempts are minimal (like crumbs thrown in to allay criticism). For example, the author *hints* at Karim's difficulties in America post 9-11, but she doesn't in any manner describe those difficulties in a human manner so that the reader could understand the psychological damage done to Karim, and why he might feel his own children might be in danger (i.e. possible verbal harassment, physical harassment, increased anti-Muslim hate crimes increasing in number every year since 2001, etc.). The author then treats Karim's family in Jordan much like she treats Karim. The family is portrayed in a very caricature manner (surly manner, unfriendly, always disapproving, lacking in the traditional Arab manner of welcoming guests, etc.). No attempt is made to give a back story for WHY certain family members might feel the way they do, act the way they do, etc. And then once again, the author throws in one person, a sister-in-law, who is mildly friendly and helpful, just so that you know that not ALL Arabs are completely horrible. The book simply doesn't do a good job of covering the various characters in this story in a real, human manner. Only the American characters seem to get back stories and descriptions for why they act the way they do, why they have the feelings they have.
The story itself? It's generally entertaining. You have the main story (i.e. Dina trying to get her kidnapped children back from Jordan) and then several side stories (i.e. Dina's two best friends and their respective love lives). The characters are generally likable (the American ones, that is).Although Dina's relationship with her oldest son, Jordy, is not without it's criticisms. Personally, I didn't find the ending to the story at all realistic, but I can't explain why without giving away the end (and I hate to put a spoiler in my review).
Since yes, there are lots of real, legitimate stories of one parent stealing children from another and taking them to live in a second country... I'm sure there are well written, nonfiction stories out there that do a much better job of telling a story like this one that (I'd hope) are more nuanced and give a better idea of the complex issues involved.
April 24, 2009
Basically a story of love and betrayal as one woman fights for her children. What made this interesting for me was the clash of cultures and traditions as it was set in New York and Jordan. Dina and Karim Ahmedare are from Lebanese and Jordain backgrounds, living in New York they appeared on the surface to have a happy marriage combined with successful careers and a family life together. Or so it seemed to Dina until one day her life is turned upside down when her husband vanishes with their six year old twins, Suzanne and Ali. After a normal day at her floral design business Mosaic she is bewildered to find the appartment empty on her return home.
It seems that Dina was completely unaware of her husbands plans and how he had been feeling about their life together in New York. Ahmed has become very disillusioned with the western lifestyle, especially post 9/11. He is also determined that his younger children should not turn out like their teenage bother Jordan. So feeling that he no longer wants the twins exposed to American culture he has decided without consulting his wife that they should grow up in Jordan. When Dina realises that her husband has kidnapped his own children she turns for emotional support to her best friends Emmeline and Sarah, also both successful career women and mothers. Whilst they are helping Dina in her plight we also learn something of their own backgrounds and lifestyles.
Although I enjoyed the story and was not expecting more than a chick lit style read I would have liked it if the author had developed the characters more. I felt they were all rather superfical.
January 30, 2010
Dina comes home from work one day to find that her husband, Karim, has disappeared with their two youngest children to Jordan, his homeland, and doesn't intend to return. He's afraid that they will also be affected by American values, as he believes happened to the oldest son, Jordy, who is gay. Karim is a sympathetic figure for the most part, whom we can believe truly thinks he took the only path open for the good of the young twins, Suzanne and Ali. (Spoiler alert!) Dina hires a professional kidnapper and goes to Jordan but doesn't have to resort to stealing back her children as Karim has second thoughts. Suzanne is unhappy in Jordan, and when she returns to NYC with Dina, Ali runs away, causing Karim to realize that his best intentions had disastrous consequences. Great portrayals of everyone, including Karim's mother, totally disapproving of his American wife. And, of course, as usual, I love the insight into another culture, and the tidbits of information that show how American culture has crept in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2013
BookList: Like her debut, Mirage (1995), Khashoggi’s second novel sculpts a broader understanding of Arab women’s lives, both in the Middle East and America. Dina Ahmed has it all, a happy family and flourishing floral-design business, but her world ruptures when she discovers that her husband, Karim, has kidnapped their eight-year-old twins from New York and returned with them to his homeland in Jordan. Dina enlists her good friends Sarah, a Jewish physician, and Emmeline, a “Creole Martha Stewart,� to help her pick up the pieces and find a way to fight back. All the while, Dina must shield her eldest son, who has been rejected by his father for being gay, while risking all to regain her twins. Delicate subjects--from the complexity of marriage to the clash of American and Islamic cultures--are approached with care and balance, and the combination of savvy writing and three-dimensional characters brings refreshing depth and perspective to this highly charged, emotional story. -- MishaStone (BookList, 09-15-2004, p208)
September 21, 2007
it is absolutely a light romance reading for women. it didn't make me bored because I got a little bit of actions. the settings are in New York and Jordan not so long after 9/11. so you can guess now, there's something about Islam involved here. however, while it is a romance novel, the story actually tells about a broken household triggered by a man's ego and the suppressing situation for Muslims in U.S. after 9/11. while the wife of the broken household lives in misery after her twin children are kidnapped by her own husband, her female friends are there to support her up.
now being a wife living in U.S. and also coming from another country, I was touched by the fact of how women from multicultural background should cope with the lifestyle in U.S. think about family, career and different cultures...
now being a wife living in U.S. and also coming from another country, I was touched by the fact of how women from multicultural background should cope with the lifestyle in U.S. think about family, career and different cultures...
February 17, 2010
I really like the way Soheir Khashoggi writes a novel. This story involves a couple who live in NYC with their family, The husband, Karim, originally from Jordan decides that living in the west is not in the best interest of his young children, and takes them back to Jordan, against the mothers consent.
While this a heart wrenching experience for any parent to live through, the reader cannot hate Karim totally for what he has done as he is not portrayed as evil, but just someone who is a product of their culture and only wants the best for his children.
A couple of side stories exist as well , I think some of them are just filler for the novel, only one is necessary.
I still enjoyed the book ,it reads very well, but I liked Khashoggi's work in another novel "Nadia's Song" much more.
While this a heart wrenching experience for any parent to live through, the reader cannot hate Karim totally for what he has done as he is not portrayed as evil, but just someone who is a product of their culture and only wants the best for his children.
A couple of side stories exist as well , I think some of them are just filler for the novel, only one is necessary.
I still enjoyed the book ,it reads very well, but I liked Khashoggi's work in another novel "Nadia's Song" much more.
May 26, 2011
I enjoyed this book, has similarities to Brick Lane. Easy read.
"Like many working mothers, Dina Ahmed has become adept at juggling her family and her work. She's the owner of Mosaic, a thriving floral design business, and has been blessed with success, beauty, and, most important, a happy family.
But when she returns home one day to discover that her six-year-old twins have vanished, Dina is forced to admit that her life and her marriage were not as perfect as she'd once believed. After many desperate phone calls�-and anxious hours spent piecing the puzzle together�-Dina accepts the terrible truth: Her husband, Karim, has taken the twins to his homeland of Jordan to raise the children with his family there."
"Like many working mothers, Dina Ahmed has become adept at juggling her family and her work. She's the owner of Mosaic, a thriving floral design business, and has been blessed with success, beauty, and, most important, a happy family.
But when she returns home one day to discover that her six-year-old twins have vanished, Dina is forced to admit that her life and her marriage were not as perfect as she'd once believed. After many desperate phone calls�-and anxious hours spent piecing the puzzle together�-Dina accepts the terrible truth: Her husband, Karim, has taken the twins to his homeland of Jordan to raise the children with his family there."
November 19, 2016
A good read. Nothing sensational. The flow of the story was quite lifelike and realistic. Fluent writing. I liked that the story brings out the different perspectives, different points of views of the characters, which could be the result of their own contexts. The change in one's outlook, when one goes to a foreign land and is exposed to an alien culture and how one pines for his/her roots, comparing the two, is brought out beautifully and poignantly.
The author brings in melodramatic situations, much like in the other book by her [Nadia's Song], which I read some time back. Both her books are fit to be made into tear jerker movies.
The author brings in melodramatic situations, much like in the other book by her [Nadia's Song], which I read some time back. Both her books are fit to be made into tear jerker movies.
July 9, 2009
This book is about the cultural divide between the Middle East and the West. An American woman's Middle Eastern husband takes their children back home with him because he doesn't want them to be Americanized. She tries to get them back. I thought I would like it for strong characters and to learn about the culture, but it just wasn't written in a way that I liked or got an awful lot out of. It was kind of disappointing, but maybe that was the point of the story - life isn't always what you expect or want.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2013
This is definitely a five-star bookLoved everything about it,Including checking on all the facts and " looking at the world" on my iPhone's satellite maps. It was interesting tracking Karim's voyage with the children back to Jordan, and looking at where New York v.s. Karim's Jordanian home.
All of the characters were so very relatable and the emotions brought you right into the book.
I'm so looking forward to Soheir's next book Nadia's Song.
GOODREADS. CHANGE THE AUTHOR'S NAME.YOU HAVE IT MISSPELLED IT. IT STARTS WITH A K NOT AN S. PLEASE CORRECT THIS
All of the characters were so very relatable and the emotions brought you right into the book.
I'm so looking forward to Soheir's next book Nadia's Song.
GOODREADS. CHANGE THE AUTHOR'S NAME.YOU HAVE IT MISSPELLED IT. IT STARTS WITH A K NOT AN S. PLEASE CORRECT THIS
September 19, 2007
Mosaic was just as good as her other book, Mirage. I love her writing and will definitely be checking out anything else she’s got out there.
This one focused not only on the Arab-American family in the center of things, but also on how friendships can be awesome when they are made up of people from different backgrounds. I am making it sound WAY too simple, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Another great book. Verdict: A
This one focused not only on the Arab-American family in the center of things, but also on how friendships can be awesome when they are made up of people from different backgrounds. I am making it sound WAY too simple, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Another great book. Verdict: A
September 20, 2010
What I liked the most about this book is that the husband who spirited his children away to his parent's home in Jordan isn't portrayed as "bad", but rather as conflicted. You realize from the beginning that he loves his children and is struggling to find the best way to protect them as they grow up in a post-9-eleven world. Unfortunately, he feels compelled to make his decision alone which highlights the death of his marriage.
May 13, 2014
This was an amazing story! It's been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, it sort of got lost in there. Once I started, it was hard to put it down. The story of a family who appeared to be happy. One day, the mother comes home from work to discover that her husband has taken her twins to Jordan, and will not return. It's a heartbreaking story, especially when you are a mom. You can understand her anguish. The book is about her story. Does she get her kids back? Read it.
Read
November 19, 2014The writing style is nice,easy to pass through pages quickly and the idea of having one's children taken away is indeed emotional, I found that in this book all conflicts wrapped up nicely, neatly with a less dramatic end.
No doubt it doesn't beat the story of "Not without My daughter", couldn't resist myself without thoughts going over the book again while reading this one.
I believe the climax could have been more engaging.
No doubt it doesn't beat the story of "Not without My daughter", couldn't resist myself without thoughts going over the book again while reading this one.
I believe the climax could have been more engaging.
September 23, 2014
An easy read. nice description on cultures and places in Jordan.
Did not quite her point on bringing up issues of islam, christianity and gay.
she did not even paint a good picture of islam. sure, they are non practicing muslims. but reading and knowing this is quite disturbing. yet no solution?
Am not very impressed, just a nice read ended with no satisfactory smile.
Did not quite her point on bringing up issues of islam, christianity and gay.
she did not even paint a good picture of islam. sure, they are non practicing muslims. but reading and knowing this is quite disturbing. yet no solution?
Am not very impressed, just a nice read ended with no satisfactory smile.
January 2, 2016
I did mostly enjoy this book, especially the strong multi cultural friendship between the 3 women, and descriptive paragraphs of food and travel, but felt the ending was slightly lacking. Would Dina really find another boyfriend that quickly? It must be every woman's nightmare to find her children taken, and the storyline is satisfying in this respect, with a conclusion of sorts.
February 7, 2008
This book was overall good. The only down fall was the ending. It left so much unanswered at the end. Which I hate. I want the ending to wrapped up in a pretty little bow with no unanswered questions. It was still a very nice read however.
June 4, 2015
Great storyline about a mother who returns home only to find that her husband has taken their children to his home in the middle east. The story is told from the perspective of both parents and tells how far each of them is willing to go to protect that the children that they love.
August 19, 2009
While this book was good, I kept thinking about how "Not Without My Daughter" was great. I did want to know how it ended even though it felt watered down a great deal. I also don't believe the ending would have really happened.
March 25, 2011
I'm putting an asterisk again---it was the condensed version. (Doug bought a bunch of Readers' Digest condensed books about 2 years ago and I pick them up when I have nothing else in the house to read. That is why I'm posting them now.) It was a good story.
January 2, 2012
I ended up finishing the book after all but am wondering why I bothered. It will be in the thrift store box as it would be taking up space on my bookshelf which a much more deserving book could occupy.
September 14, 2017
A woman, her children, the husbands' view of US culture, blended = husband kidnaps children back to Jordan; wife has basically no say since she is after all, a woman. Marital conflicts at its finest.
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