My Name is Mahtob

By: Mahtob Mahmoody

Publisher’s Summary

Two decades ago, millions of readers worldwide thrilled to the story told in the international bestseller Not Without My Daughter—subsequently made into a film starring Sally Field—that told of an American mother and her six-year-old child’s daring escape from an abusive and tyrannical Iranian husband and father. Now the daughter returns to tell the whole story, not only of that imprisonment and escape but of life after fleeing Tehran: living in fear of re-abduction, enduring recurring nightmares and panic attacks, attending school under a false name, battling life-threatening illness—all under the menacing shadow of her father.

My Thoughts

I read Mahtob’s mother’s book, Not Without My Daughter, years ago and had loved it. I actually read it several times. When the opportunity to review this book came up I jumped at it!

My Name is Mahtob continues to story of the American mother who ended up trapped in Iran with her young daughter by her husband. This book, however, is written from Mahtob’s side of the story, from her memories. We read about how she felt and what she remembers from her time in Iran, and how it affected her life afterward. She had to learn to use a fake name, to always be on high alert, to never let her guard down, all from a very young age. Mahtob also describes how she comes to know Jesus and how several key people in her life, along with her new faith, help her through times of difficulty.

I don’t want to give too much away from the book, but I really enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. If you’re familiar with Not Without My Daughter, you’ll want to read this. And if you’re not, you’ll want to read both!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links included in this post. I was given a free copy of this book to review but all reviews I write are completely honest.