Honor Lost
Love and Death in Modern-day Jordan
Book - 2003
I'd always believed that we'd spend our lives together...I never dreamed that my time with her would be cut short, or that my life would be a journey down this path, but I realize that she left me with a mission...I must find a way to make all Arab women's silent cries for justice and freedom heard around the world. Dalia was a young, beautiful Arabian Muslim living with her family in Amman, Jordan. At the age of twenty-five, she unexpectedly fell in love with Michael, a major in the Royal Army, and a Catholic. For a Muslim woman, any relationship with a Catholic man is forbidden, and Dalia was only too aware that flouting this rule could cost her her life. But they were deeply in love, and with the help of Dalia's lifelong friend, Norma, with whom she ran a hair salon, they went to extraordinary lengths to meet in secret. Dalia and Michael were only alone on a handful of occasions, and their relationship remained entirely chaste. Although they covered their tracks meticulously, one of Dalia's brothers became suspicious and she was suddenly gripped by the terrifying reality of what might happen to them all. Norma Khouri's book is a gift to the memory of her friend. In it she recounts a powerful love story that ends in an appalling tragedy, and also attempts to bring to the world's attention the continuing practice of honor killing in Jordan -- an ancient tradition that encourages the murder of women considered to have dishonored their families. It is a crime that effectively goes unpunished. Shocking and dramatic, Honor Lost will strike a chord with women everywhere and is a testimony to the courage and strength of women who are prepared to defy generations ofmale dominance.
Publisher:
New York : Atria Books, 2003.
ISBN:
9780743448789
0743448782
0743448782
Characteristics:
211 p. ;,25 cm.


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Add a CommentI agree with the prior comment. I read it, found it very interesting, and then googled for an update on the author. the Australian press discovered that the story was fabricated by ms. Khouri, who actually had not lived in Jordan since she was 3 years old. there may be true stories like this, but this widely reported to be false. there apparently is a documentary about it called "forbidden lie$" (based on the Australian / European title "forbidden love."
I'm surprised the library has this listed as non-fiction. You realize the publisher pulled the book because it was found to be a complete fabrication. In the current age of social-media witch-hunts this book serves as a cautionary tale about being somewhat too gullible when it comes to narratives of victimization. We should insist on primary sources which can corroborate allegations. Also - 4 out of 5 stars? I hope we are not becoming a society inured of asking tough questions about fanciful stories of abuse which tug at our heartstrings and play on our primal fears. We should demand more of our publishers and ourselves...and our libraries.