Overview

Providing an account of her battle with an abusive man and with bureaucracy, this is the story of a woman's fight against a violent and tyrannical relationship, and her struggle to reclaim her two daughters, sold into marriage in the Yemen. Mirian Kamouhi - half Pakistani, half English - met Muthana Muhsen in Birmingham in 1960, when she was 17. They never married, but had seven children, the two eldest of whom were sent to Yemen in 1966 for a holiday . Their mother, fighting ill-health and with little money, would not meet them again until they were adults.

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9780751516357

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Reviews

A vivid and gripping picture - Sunday Times Extremely moving - Manchester Evening News What is astonishing about the book...is the account of how downtrodden, defeated Miriam suddenyl came to buoyand life - Mail on Sunday

In Sold, Zana Muhsen told the story of how she and her younger sister, Nadia, were sold by their father as brides to Yemeni bridegrooms. Zana was 15, her sister 14. Although both the British and Yemeni governments declared this illegal, the Yemeni government did nothing to return the girls to their mother in Britain, and claimed that the girls were happy to remain there. Only a long fight by their mother enabled Zana to return, leaving behind her son, but Nadia's husband refused to allow her to leave. Now, Miriam Ali tells the story of her life with Muthana Muhsen, father of Zana and Nadia. It was a constant round of pregnancy and hard work, as Muthana confined his common-law wife and children to one room in Birmingham. The two eldest children were taken to Yemen to visit their grandparents, and left there. Miriam would not be reunited with them for many years. Nevetheless, it was not until Zana and Nadia were sold that she finally left Muthana and commenced the long battle to rescue her children. Miriam Ali's story is one of remarkable courage, and also compassion for others, as, in the midst of her own difficulties, she was able to found a charity, Lost Children International, to support other people like herself. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Miriam Ali was born in Birmingham, where she still lives with her husband and her youngest son, Mo. She is co-founder and advising counsellor for Lost Children International. Jana Wain was born in Kent and was also a co-founder of LCI and works there as a counsellor.

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