Rating: 
Summary: Shocked and Dismayed
Review: I am shocked and dismayed at the treatment of women and the legal custom of killing a person to cleanse one's family honor as described in this book. I am even more dismayed by the biased reviews I've read on this hideous crime and the accounts in "Norma's Jordan." The fact of the matter is we should be outraged by these practices even if it has only happened to one person in "Norma's Jordan." Never does Norma make sweeping indictments on Islam in this story as some of the reviews have stated. As a matter of fact from my account, she clearly advises how this is a cultural practice no matter what religion. And by the reaction of some of the reviews I wonder if when she says the Middle Eastern government tries to hide these facts to paint a modernized picture is true. Also for these reviewers who have so called friends who "lived" and grew up in Jordan, why is the past tense used? Is that because the former inhabitants of the Jordan your friends know conflicts with their beliefs and practices? Doesn't Norma have a right to live elsewhere like anyone else for whatever reason? Furthermore the loss of a best friend is heart wrenching and if this story was fiction (I suspect not)how apalling is it that something like this practice of honor killing could be true? I thought the story was intriguing and sincere. I gave it 5 stars because even in Norma's "perfect english" the story was clear, simple and easy to follow. I commend the author on her journey, her writing and her courage to speak out in spite of her detractors. A wise person once said if everyone is in agreement with you and for you, you're probably doing something wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: That is the question i ask myself whenever i read these reviews by people who spend their time dissing this kind of books. i myself grew up in the middle east, and knew many women who were forced into marriages with men whom they didnt know, despite the fact that they were in love with someone else.
alright, she may be slightly anti-islamic, but that is her way of coping with the loss of her best friend. islam is who she blaims for the death of her friend, this isnt really correct or fair, but can you blame her, honestly? god knows how any of us would respond to such events.
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Norma Khouri for writing this book
Review: You have writen an important and eye opening book. As much as people would like to demonize the west, and would love to believe that we are just sponges waiting to absorb any facts to use against them, it's time we all stop thinking of ourselves as part of a religion, and start thinking of ourselves as individuals. I have no reason to hate muslims. I read this book with great sadness, for a life lost and for the many others that have been well documented. I'm not sure why people are so intent on calling you a liar. Perhaps they are afraid that everything they believe is in question. That is not the case. I don't think any less of Jordanians for having read your book. Instead it makes me feel compassion, and it makes me want to help. Instead of worrying about the reputation of their religion, they should worry about the women that are in the hands of those beasts. Religion is man made, and yet people continue to die and kill over religion. God is inside us. He will guide our choices, and when the choice is to kill...for whatever reason, I am certain God is not part of that choice. You lived through a horrible experience, and yet people are surprised you left 5 years later. I know women who have grieved for years over a broken relationship. Someone who has gone through a major trauma, and who has to leave everything she knows behind, would hardly rush onto a plane. So what if the names were changed? What does that prove? It is always the deeply religious that jump to attack the victims. The catholics (I am one) jumped to hide the child molestation. I say expose them for what they are. if we lose face over it, so be it. It's time to defend God himself, not "teachings" or century old beliefs that lead to nothing more than suffering and oppression. Thank you for being brave, for surviving, for moving on, and for sharing the story. I will do what I can to help my sisters, no matter what religion they belong to.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating-and Motivating-A Must Read!
Review: As a Pakistani-Muslim-American, I could relate and identify with the story of Dalia and Norma and Michael--caught between religions/cultures/values and trying to reconcile their views with their families' and society's views. I think the reviews who criticize Norma Khouri's view of Jordan are missing the point---the struggle of two women and a couple in love trying to make their own lives and creating their own happiness despite living in a less tolerant society. In certain countries, it's just easier to live the way you want to live your life! I don't think Khouri is trying to slander Islam or Jordan...she's telling her story and presenting her perceptions of how Jordanian society was for her. Everyone will have a different perception of what their society is based on their own experiences. This book is really captivating.
Khouri deserves the credit for speaking out about her story and highlighting the problem.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration to all woman
Review: After reading Norma Khouri's book about honour killings i was shocked to find that woman in jordan were being murdered for standing up for thier own rights, i myself have done alot of research on the subject of honour killings and believe that before writing a negative review or attacking Norma they should do thier own research, and they will discover as i have, that honour killings not only continue to this day, but are actually on the rise according to the UN reports and investigations. No woman should be subject to this type of treatment in any country, no matter what creed or religion they are. It all comes down to human rights and there is definately none here. It honestly makes you wonder why our governments and western world leaders have done anything about this breach of human rights. After reading the book i definetly do not feel that this book is in no way anti islamic as it clearly states that this is a cultural and tribal tradition that the Jordanian leaders are justifying by using misinterpretations of the islamic religion. i believe all muslims should defend thier religion by condeming this practice not Norma for simply telling her harrowing story. i urge all readers to send an objection as it states in the back of the book to honourcrimes@lycos.com
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking
Review: While this book reads like a romance novel, it's a true, heartbreaking story of life in a country that is considered a US ally. Read and be informed . . .
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read this book!
Review: I was very moved by this book. I couldn't put it down. Reading this book has motivated me to take action and learn more about this honorless act so I can try to help in the fight to end it and other abuses of human rights. After reading the negative commentary posted here, I decided to do a quick internet search and found numerous articles regarding honor killings in Jordan from very credible sources. I suggest the naysayers may want to do the same before they try to discredit Norma Khouri's wonderfully written distressing story.
Rating:
Summary: A sad but true commentary on womens' lives in Jordan
Review: I have a B.A. and an M.A. in political science with a focus on the Middle East/International Relations, so I am endlessly fascinated by new angles in viewing Arab society. Just last week, I read a news story in several major publications about an Arab woman who married an Egyptian (Muslim) against her family's wishes. She returned to Jordan, eight months pregnant, to see her family. She was promptly stabbed several times by her brother in her own apartment. The police came and arrested the brother, but under current Jordanian law he is unlikely to serve more than six months in jail. When he is released he will likely be treated as a hero for restoring his family's honor. This kind of story makes Khouri's tale all the more chilling, for it gives truthful effect to a story that would seem utterly implausible in our modern times. Khouri's book is not a libel of Islam. Islam is like any other religion; it is the sum total of its adherents. Nor is this book an idictment of Arabs. What it tries to portray are the austere strictures in a society where everything depends on male honor and the tragic results it inevitably creates.
Rating: 
Summary: Garbage
Review: The author is nothing more than a gossip; weaving a story intermixed with hatred and misinformation toward the people of Jordan and Muslims. This story is no different that sitting in a barbershop listening to a bigot harp about some particular race. It is embarrassing reading comments from people who have never traveled or lived in the Middle East that grasp at this story as the truth. This same ease to whole-heartedly believe others prejudices is what truly keeps the world in a state of turmoil. I wish the readers who glowingly praised Norma Khouri's book would actually sit down with an Arab family before believing in her biased, hateful beliefs. In regard to the comment that we should understand her incorrect and foul comments because she lost a friend, that is not acceptable. The numerous reviews of her book show the damage done by misinforming the public.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you
Review: Ms. Norma Khouri, thank you so much for writing this book! I was enraged, shocked and saddened by the horrible murder of this young woman. How this can continue to happen in 20th century, just does not make sense to me. And most heartwrenching is that these cowards commit these crimes hiding behind their God and all in the name of Religion! It's a disgrace!
| 
