Product Description

When she was fourteen, Jasvinder Sanghera was shown a photo of the man chosen to be her husband. She was terrified. She’d witnessed the torment her sisters endured in their arranged marriages, so she ran away from home, grief-stricken when her parents disowned her. Shame is the heart-rending true story of a young girl’s attempt to escape from a cruel, claustrophobic world where family honour mattered more than anything – sometimes more than life itself. Jasvinder’s story is one of terrible oppression, a harrowing struggle against a punitive code of honour – and, finally, triumph over adversity.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9429 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
'She tells her story with the pace and vivid turn of phrase of a true writer ... SHAME is an inspiring book, not least because of its honesty.' -- The Sunday Times 'A vivid, honest and deeply moving narrative of despair, courage and hope.' -- Lord Lester speaking in Parliamentary debate 'Angry, sad and profoundly disturbing, Jasvinder Sanghera's account of fleeing an arranged marriage is a powerful read' -- The London Paper 'The glossy cover doesn't prepare you for the impact this book has on its reader ... It gives me hope that there are people like the author of this book who are willing to write their experiences with such passion and clarity. A must-read.' -- Asians in Media 'Unbeaten and eloquent' -- Evening Standard 'It will open your eyes to the horrors that are real for some women' -- Sydney Daily Telegraph 'A success story to inspire anyone ... recounted deftly and without apology.' -- Time Magazine 'Heart-wrenching ... Sanghera's book will fuel debate and, perhaps, confound those groups who delude themselves into thinking that all is harmony in our multi-racial cities. But ignore these issues and our treasured, traditional British way of life will be further jeopardised.' -- Daily Mail

Review

'SHAME is an inspiring book, not least because of its honesty.'

(The Sunday Times )

'A vivid, honest and deeply moving narrative of despair, courage and hope.'

(Lord Lester speaking in Parliamentary debate )

'Angry, sad and profoundly disturbing . . . a powerful read'

(The London Paper )

'Unbeaten and eloquent'

(Evening Standard )

'A success story to inspire anyone.'

(Time Magazine )

'Heart-wrenching.'

(Daily Mail )

'The glossy cover doesn't prepare you for the impact this book has . . . It gives me hope that there are people like the author of this book who are willing to write their experiences with such passion and clarity. A must-read.' (Asians in Media )

The London Paper
'Angry, sad and profoundly disturbing, Jasvinder Sanghera's
account of fleeing an arranged marriage is a powerful read'

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Customer Reviews

Shame . By Jasvinder Sanghera
A social commentary on a taboo subject. This is a story of the oppression and coersion of asian women, by their own families and community in this country.
Jasvinder was born and brought up in Derby, a vivacious young girl who wanted to do well at school and get a degree. Insted she was shown the picture of the man she was to marry at the age of 14, as her elder sisters were already married and were trapped in un-happy and forced marriages. Jasvider rebelled and ran away. living a life of misery and poverty while her parents denyed her exsistence. This book lifts the lid on the so called "loving families"the asians are supposed to have. The abuse and the pain of those women that goes un-registered while the government and the police remain "politically correct" and dont intervene in these "cultural practices".
This is a must read book for anyone who wants an insight into this problem which is facing the young asian women in this country, Police, social workers and everyone in authority, and anyone who wants to stop this outragious practice should read this book.
A social commentary on this sad problem.

A book of loss, heart-ache and self discovery
This book is horrifying to read especially if you are a woman, but its an important book. "Honour" deaths and violence don't only happen in the middle-east. They happen anywhere there are immigrants who believe their "honour" and their families "face" is worth more than the lives and happiness of their children - and as this book makes clear its not always soley the men who are to blame, their wives, with the same beliefs, can often be active particpants in the abuse of their children. It really does make you shudder to read some of the stories in this book.

That the author managed to escape such a background is amazing in itself. This book chronicles a very hard journey to self-knowledge that is scattered with personal loss that is enough to break many people, who would rather be bashed and abused than be alone or cut off from their family forever.

Anyone who wants the know the reality of these frightend women's lives should read this book. Its a real eye-opener on the costs of violence vs family love.

You cannot put this book down
I have a habit of reading a chapter a day when I read a book, but this one I just couldn't put down. It's quite an amazing story, and I just want to meet this incredible woman. If you haven't read it yet, then I suggest you go out and buy it right now. Jas, you are one hell of a brave woman, and I congratulate you on all your amazing achievements.