58 pages • 1 hour read
Betty MahmoodyNot Without My Daughter
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Not Without My Daughter is an autobiographical novel by Betty Mahmoody that recounts her harrowing experience as an American woman trapped in Iran with her young daughter, Mahtob, after her Iranian husband, Moody, reveals his intention to remain in Iran permanently. Betty struggles against cultural and legal constraints to plan their escape, ultimately succeeding with the help of smugglers. The book contains depictions of extreme domestic abuse and other distressing scenes.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody is a gripping memoir that narrates the author's harrowing escape from Iran with her daughter. Reviews are mixed; readers praise its intense storytelling and emotional depth, but some criticize it for cultural bias and an overly negative portrayal of Iran. Overall, it's a compelling yet polarizing read.
Who Should Read Not Without My Daughter?
A reader who enjoys Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody is likely interested in true stories of resilience and cultural conflict. They would appreciate the tension and emotional gravity found in travel memoirs like Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, as well as the familial struggles depicted in novels such as A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.