“For the Love of a Son” is a heartbreaking story of a mother desperately trying to find her stolen son, but equally devastated when she finds him. However, a mother’s merciful and compassionate heart does not blame the child and hopes for her well-being, even if she has the price of hating her mother. In this biography of Ms. Maryam Khail, Jean Sasson reaches out to the mother in you and when you realize that you would do the same in that situation, somewhere, the die-hard feminist in you surrenders to the love of a mother. I’m glad I read this.
Maryam is an energetic young woman born to liberal and progressive parents living in Kabul. Her father, despite suffering severe brutality at the hands of her stepbrother, is very considerate and liberal. He finds her soul mate in Maryam’s mother, who is equally open and eschews Afghanistan’s oppressive attitude towards women. Both raise their two daughters in a supportive environment and emphasize that they are educated and independent. This almost perfect image, however, is shattered by the invasion of Russia and the family is forced to flee their beloved homeland. After spending time in India, Maryam along with her father move to the United States. Maryam’s open-minded and liberal father has her marry an Afghan despite warnings from some family and friends about her violent streak. And then Maryam’s ordeal begins.
Raped, abused and tortured, Maryam finds solace when she gives birth to a son. All her sufferings become bearable as she lovingly cares for her baby. But when she realizes that Durán, her son, could become a victim of her father’s irrepressible fury, she decides to take her son and leave him. Her husband, however, does the unimaginable. She steals two-year-old Duran and flees to Afghanistan. All her attempts to get her son back are in vain. Maryam decides to go ahead and marries Khalid and moves to Saudi Arabia.
After almost 16 long years, Maryam finally meets Duran. But what she sees completely destroys her. A boy raised by an abusive father in a war-torn country had lost his innocence and charm. All Maryam could do was pray for his well-being.
Because the Love of a Son is strong and intense. Sasson’s captivating storytelling makes it highly engaging and stays in your mind for a long time. A mother’s emotional turmoil and a woman’s right to exist with dignity are two factors that emerge in his thoughts as he reads this fascinating book. If you like this particular genre, you can’t dislike this one.