Gaddafi's Harem

Good

I really got into this book and had to force myself to put it down at times and save some to read later. Living in the United States, I have not been very knowledgeable about how women live in Libya and that part of the world in general. I feel much more educated about it now. I feel agony for the women in Libya -- and the men too. I feel grateful I have not had the experience of some unfortunate souls in this world. Our poor world needs love so badly. I cannot understand the extreme selfishness and cruelty of these dictators who want to rule the entire world. I have much respect for Annick Cojean, who is obviously a very sensitive woman, a skilled interviewer, and a great storyteller -- someone who appears to dig and dig to get the facts. I also have enormous respect for Soraya, who gave the intimate details of the darkest part of her life (how she believes her life was ruined). I believe she was very brave for telling her story. I hope she will find happiness one day. I was happy to see this book was translated for and distributed in Libya. It appears there were many, many victims of this regime. I believe this book will help women in Libya, a country that has a hard time discussing these subjects and would rather sweep them under the rug and forget they happened -- but the people who were victimized are the heart of Libya, and their stories matter. The silence makes the country psychologically sick. To be healthy, it must face the truth and deal with it as if each person who was harmed by Gaddafi's regime -- man or woman -- underwent a great injustice. Each person matters, their suffering is the country's suffering, and their healing is important to the country's survival. Much love and healing is needed. You cannot simply disown or kill rape victims to get rid of the problem. You cannot pretend it never happened. As far as the problem of women's liberation, I think the women themselves are going to have to do most of the work for change in this area. And I know it will not come easy.

The content of this book is tremendously important, but I think it could use a forward that contextualizes this woman's story. Without background on the situation in Libya, as well as more information about broader gender relations and the status of women at the time, it is hard to take much away from the book. It is a bit voyeuristic in its telling of repeated sexual assault and manipulation.

To Star this book five stars as "love it" isn't quite accurate. It's difficult to love a subject as despicable as this. The book was authored by Annick Cojean who is a seasoned reporter/journalist. This is not a novel. The first "voice" we hear is from one of Gaddafi's victims. The trauma she suffered at the hands of this monster is unspeakable, as are all his victims who survived. One important lesson from this horrific and disgusting episode in history, is that ALL dictators are ultimately patronized and supported by world leaders and politicians, including our own (there is absolutely NO mention of this in this book). This is merely this readers' viewpoint. Everyone should read this book and understand how appalling humanity is. It is without doubt that no dictator or regime (such as the Third Reich) could possibly flourish and survive without their supporters. And this is probably the most awful thing about our fellow humans. There are always those willing to drag on the coattails of the most despicable leaders purely for their own profit, greed and other sick modus operandi. Shame on humanity.

I didn't find the book particularly thought provoking as I wouldn't expect the described, decrepit behaviour any less from a despot as Gaddafi.I did not find the book insightful or well written for a journalist.I wouldn't recommend the book.

This book is such a bunch of lies and propaganda they this is unbelievable. i have lived in Libya for many years, one only country was arranging his support stuff, cooks, nurses , etc, he had nurse working for his family for more than 20 years who is even today talking about him with affection, and this does not have any connection with truth. aside politics, Gadaffi was not rapist, was not sexual sadist, was actually very family oriented man. maybe these journalist could find some live president to write about instead of putting mud on someone who cannot defend himself, but it is a lot of money to sell so many copies of the book.

Interesting, the kinds of things that come to light "post Gaddafi." Interesting, the kinds of things that deeply Western-indoctrinated, anything but globally knowledgeable folks will gobble up with glee.

This book is very powerful with the most disturbing accounts of how this sexual predator Gaddafi, used sex to not only satisfy himself with young girls and boys, but to shame others including men and married women into compliance, knowing that they would rather die than admit to what he was doing to them. You would think they could fight back, but his power as a dictator could get them and their family killed or jailed on any made up charge. At any age, the experience of rape is devastating, but to read the detailed account of Soraya, a young innocent girl with a happy normal family life, suddenly being abducted and held against her will and, without any hesitation, she is immediately thrown into a life of being terrorized and violently raped repeatedly with nobody to protect her from this monster coming at her any time he wishes. Very heartbreaking. It was likely symbolic when the rebels ended Gaddafi's life in that particular way - Good job!