I read this book when it first came out a few years back and instantly loved it. I read it within a couple of hours- that's how drawn I was to it. Would definitely recommend.

Nemat's memoirs is a great and easy read. The most fascinating aspect was author's great devotion to portrait true sides of each character and go beyond the limits of black and white side in judging her opponents. She doesn't tell her story with hatred but a heart filled with forgiveness and healing! Despite of the brutal tortures and pressures, she has made peace with her self and moved on with a great hope for the future.

This is one of the most riveting memoirs i have ever read. Marina Nemat doesn't just simply describe the terror of undergoing torture and imprisonment; she tells the story of her life and every heartbreak and tragedy that went with it. a story of amazing strength and perseverence. I've read reviews that call Nemat a "liar" or "traitor", and it disgusts me to read those things. I don't understand how anyone can doubt that this woman is a hero.

I loved this book very much. An incredible insight to a journey none of us would want to make...a wonderful read

A book I could not put down. Marina has seen more in her life than most of us would ever see. Very well written, moving, sad a happy ending to a gruesome life she lived. My heart goes out to you Marina and glad that you are in a happier place.

I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good biography.

Interesting story from beginning to end. I really wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen to the characters in the book. I loved Marina's strength and optimism. The book was engaging and the development of the story was fantastic.

Proof that fact rivals fiction. This woman's story really puts a face on human rights abuses. The actual writing is just okay and sometimes it can drag, but the story itself is enough to keep you hooked for every page.

I picked up this book a few times at the store, then put it down again because I thought it would be too heavy and depressing. But, although Nemat's life is difficult and full of hardship, the memoir was interesting to read. Hearing her overcome the difficulties that she did was an inspiration. It seems that Nemat has a "guardian angel" helping her though her trials. I noticed that there is some controversy on the veracity of her accounts on Wikipedia. Based on my quick research, I could not find anything substantial. On CBC's the "The Hour" blog, her detractors said that they could prove that her account was not true, and she dared them to do just that. Then they did not respond. That tells me their claims are false. I guess to a certain extent, I wanted to believe that the story was false since it was so sad. Overall, it is a difficult but inspirational story. It was also fun to imagine that Nemat lives in the GTA now, and reminds me of some of the amazing stories of newcomers to this country.

This is one of the most riveting and powerful books I have ever read. I could not put it down. Marina Nemat is an incredibly brave woman, not only for surviving the Iranian revolution and the atrocities she witnessed and endured both in prison and out, but for having the courage to live through it once again by writing this memoir. An extraordinary story not to be missed!