Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail

Meet the Oufkir family. This is the printed condensation of their amazing survival.Malika Oufikir, aided by writer Michele Fitoussi, recounts the plunge from the heights of an extremely privileged, if secluded, life, mostly lived at the Royal Moroccan court, and a life which later landed herself and her family into gaol, in 1972. A drastic change for everybody -but "drastic" is almost a diminishing adjective for what they went through-, including the two family retainers who had volunteered to share their fate. This was the result of a failed military coup against King Hassan II, led by Malika's father, General Oufkir, who was shot immediately after. Wife Fatima and their six children, aged between 19 (Malika) and 3 and a half (Abdellatif) were sent to prison. Deprivations, humiliations, isolation -even among themselves, they were not allowed to see each other for many years- lack of hygiene, food, water, medicines and contending their space with various rodents, cockroaches, scorpions, in the chilling cold or the most stifling heat, inability to see the light -they were kept in almost total darkness-. Up until the day when, 15 years later, with the resilience of the totally desperate, some of them managed to escape, Malika included. The tale of their evasion is chilling from beginning to end. But it also led to the liberation of the others left behind. Nobody could believe that the Oufkir children had reemerged from nothingness, but they managed to alert the relevant authorities, international press and word went out. They were all subsequently moved to a different location where they were still imprisoned but at least with more dignity -if one may use this term in the circumstances-. This went on for another 4 years. And then... freedom finally knocked at their door. Almost twenty years had gone by.Forget for a minute about politics, religions, different countries, traditions, beliefs. Sufferings do not bear different classifications depending on whom we are, what we do. To suffer is to suffer, anywhere on this planet, and no one is immune. But. To pay up in such dramatic way for something beyond your control is just inhuman. Malika's voice, plain yet effective, summarizes details which induce cringing sensations.Some reviewers comment on Malika's self-centeredness, sensing a certain degree of superiority, no doubt deriving, in my opinion, from the imprint of her privileged upbringing, which might have added a somewhat unsympathetic nuance to the story. Others remark that there are inconsistencies. It is true in some instances. From a personal point of view, I myself never quite understood why Malika was adopted into the royal family. It could be Moroccan customs or traditions of which I am not aware, but it was never really explained.But. Never mind. Let's face the facts, get to the gist. Prisoners for twenty years for something they didn't commit? Children raised into squalor and fear, without an ounce of dignity? Let us keep things into perspective and grant Malika and the others the deserved praise for enduring their adverse fate and unfathomable conditions, never letting go, organizing their great escape against all odds. Without her, who dug and bled, bled and dug for months, relentlessly, this could not have happened, and none of us would have read this book.A single, soaring voice raising above a twenty-year-long cry in the dark, reminding us that for one who manages to survive, many other faceless, nameless beings perish silently, in many different countries, for many different reasons, their weeping unheard, obliterated by enforced silence.Read this book and count your blessings.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down, amazed at the courage of this family under such dire circumstances.

Enjoyed this book before and lost it so glad to replace

Book was not in 'good condition' as advertised, but in a shabby, clearly not second hand but fifth hand condition I'm afraid, not giving justice for the price charged ~

Excellent book. Could not put it down

i am in love with this book!!!

Sadly this is one of the most gripping books I have read this year. Malika tells the story of not only her life, but her family's in such detail that it has a huge affect on the reader.Milika was taken from her parents at an early age and spent her childhood within the palace, raised more or less as a princess. Although she enjoyed this 'experience' she deeply missed her family, especially her mother whom she longed to live with once again. The Oufkir family were reunited but their future was unimaginable.As a result of certain events, the family were persecuted for 20 years for their father's actions. It is difficult to comprehend who could actually treat people, especially children, in such a way. There are life experiences in this book that the reader simply cannot forget. This is a book that should be read by everyone who appreciates other peoples shocking experiences.

A heart-wrenching story of a family that were forced into a life of debauchery, deprivation and subjected to the most shocking and atrocious conditions - yet through it all, their love for each kept their spirits and hopes alive. A tragic human story that takes you on a journey that could only live in your imagination - yet this was the Oufkirs reality for 20 years. This story is a true testament to the human spirit. I hope with all my heart that the Oufkir's can now find freedom from within themselves.