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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5 stars. Malika Oufkir has such an incredible story. She was born into Moroccan high society. After Malika makes a quip in his presence, the king adopts her, and her parents are powerless to resist. She is raised with his daughter, the princess, in immense riches and yet terrible loneliness.
I was gripped reading all the details of harem life; it was hard to believe she was writing about a time as recent as the 1960s.
Malika was finally reunited with her parents as a teenager, only for everything to fall apart for the Oufkir family after political intrigue. The king, who had raised Malika like a daughter, subjects the family to horrific imprisonment, hunger, and deprivation. With next to nothing, the Oufkirs used their ingenuity and indomitable spirit to force the king's hand and gain freedom.
I liked learning about this slice of Moroccan history. I also loved the references to Rabat landmarks.
This book was recommended at my Abidjan book club almost 4 years ago, and I've finally read it, having found a paper copy in my library.
Trigger warnings: graphic descriptions of suicide attempts.
I was gripped reading all the details of harem life; it was hard to believe she was writing about a time as recent as the 1960s.
Malika was finally reunited with her parents as a teenager, only for everything to fall apart for the Oufkir family after political intrigue. The king, who had raised Malika like a daughter, subjects the family to horrific imprisonment, hunger, and deprivation. With next to nothing, the Oufkirs used their ingenuity and indomitable spirit to force the king's hand and gain freedom.
I liked learning about this slice of Moroccan history. I also loved the references to Rabat landmarks.
This book was recommended at my Abidjan book club almost 4 years ago, and I've finally read it, having found a paper copy in my library.
Trigger warnings: graphic descriptions of suicide attempts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Questa storia è poco conosciuta in Italia, eppure è davvero incredibile, ed è accaduta a pochi chilometri da noi. Ho trovato il modo di raccontare sempre avvincente e interessante.
great story. One star off for the translation.
Merged review:
great story. One star off for the translation.
Merged review:
great story. One star off for the translation.
Tough call between 3 and 4 stars, Papoosie. I really liked it. Really. Loved it? I kind of wanted to hear more about life after their escape. Now I feel like I should give it a 4. I don't know. I'll change it back and forth. 3.5!
كتاب جميل وسرد أكثر من رائع بغض النظر عن كون المصداقية كبيرة أم لا
Read this book in high school and it's started with me my entire life. I've even reread it a couple times since. The horror and grief this family went through is unimaginable but they each have so much strength and courage, they are true heroes. I feel like Malika Oufkir is now a part of me. I highly recommend this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No