‘Remarkable’ Elif Shafak, Observer
‘Striking’ New Statesman
‘Inspiring’ Riz Ahmed
‘Astounding’ Monica Ali
‘Frank and fearless’ Baroness Gohir
‘A must-read’ Lorraine Kelly
‘You will be knocked sideways’ Andrew Marr
‘I was never allowed to forget: honour belonged to men, and women were responsible for the shame.’
By the age of five, Naz Shah was used to the sight of her father beating her mother. At six, her father left the family for a teenage neighbour. At twelve, she was sent to Pakistan for protection from her mother’s new abuser, only to be forced into marriage at the age of fifteen. At twenty, her mother was jailed for murder.
In this singularly extraordinary memoir, Naz lays bare a lifetime’s struggle against the forces of patriarchy and reveals how growing up against impossible odds lit the fire that still drives her today.
‘Striking’ New Statesman
‘Inspiring’ Riz Ahmed
‘Astounding’ Monica Ali
‘Frank and fearless’ Baroness Gohir
‘A must-read’ Lorraine Kelly
‘You will be knocked sideways’ Andrew Marr
‘I was never allowed to forget: honour belonged to men, and women were responsible for the shame.’
By the age of five, Naz Shah was used to the sight of her father beating her mother. At six, her father left the family for a teenage neighbour. At twelve, she was sent to Pakistan for protection from her mother’s new abuser, only to be forced into marriage at the age of fifteen. At twenty, her mother was jailed for murder.
In this singularly extraordinary memoir, Naz lays bare a lifetime’s struggle against the forces of patriarchy and reveals how growing up against impossible odds lit the fire that still drives her today.
Reviews
You will be knocked sideways by this book, the most extraordinary and thought-provoking memoir by any MP in recent times. Personal and heart wrenching, it pinpoints the tension between traditional patriarchy and modern Islam, which will be one of the defining issues for today's Britain
A genuinely riveting account of a remarkable life so far. It is sad and shocking, but also inspiring and uplifting for what it reveals about the capacity of human beings to endure real suffering and come through it determined to make the world a better place
This is a story from the inner woman under relentless attack, a story of resilience and strength against all odds. A story of the most heinous crimes against childhood. It is the most unusual and shocking story of a standing MP I have ever read. I can hardly believe she is saying all of this. But she is. I can hardly believe she lived through it. But she did . . . Thank the stars for Naz Shah, a true heroine of our times
An unforgettable story of courage, resilience and triumph. Naz Shah shares her journey from hardship and trauma to becoming a powerful voice in politics, inspiring readers with her determination and strength. Raw, honest and deeply moving, this memoir proves that adversity can fuel extraordinary leadership. A must-read for anyone who believes in the power of perseverance
From the start I couldn't put this book down. A gritty and heartfelt honest account of extraordinary events that have shaped Naz to be a formidable campaigner. A story of life, love and resilience
In this remarkable, utterly admirable memoir, [Naz] relates how she found her voice and political calling against almost impossible odds and without a shred of privilege
An astounding story of courage and resilience. I couldn't put it down
Deeply moving, shocking and inspiring. A powerful page turner you couldn't make up
A book full of pain and resilience in a patriarchal world
Extraordinary
A remarkable book that sees, speaks up and breaks the silence . . . profoundly moving . . . I finished the book feeling inspired - proof of the magic of this memoir . . . not just one woman's story, or that of one family's resilience through tragedy, it is an honest mirror held to our world, our societies, in which everything and everyone is connected
A memorable, intensely feminist book. I was dazzled by it
Striking . . . Trauma, faith and family honour are not smoothed away for a Westminster audience but presented as the forces that shaped her politics
Frank and fearless
Naz Shah is a brave, bright beacon of hope and her story is a must read. It will stay with you for a very long time
An intensely passionate and brilliant memoir which honours the human spirit