Malika Oufkir

Intriguing as books about long stints in prison are, I normally avoid them as I feel I've had my fill of those kind of trauma books. But the blurb on the back cover of this book piqued my interest when I came across it on a hotel 'borrow / take' bookshelf, and it turned out to be fascinating, haunting and thought-provoking in equal measure because of the unique background of the story teller.

Malika Oufkir led a very privileged life in Morocco. Born to a wealthy heiress who thought nothing of show more selling an apartment block to fund a new couture collection, and a powerful army general who was the king's closest aide, the king demanded that her parents let him adopt her at the age of 5 to become a companion to his own daughter of the same age.

For 11 years she lived inside the king's world, and her account of this closed world of concubines, palaces the size of cities, and extreme opulence was utterly fascinating. This on it's own would have been enough to fill a novel, but when her father led a failed military coup in 1972 and was executed, she and her mother and 6 siblings plus 2 members of staff were banished, becoming part of the network of 'disappeared' political prisoners.

This book is a moving account of the 20 year imprisonment of the family in various desert prisons, where they are held in horrifying conditions whilst the regime waits for them to eventually die. How this imprisonment comes to an end is the stuff of Hollywood movies (no spoilers), yet for the family their ordeal can never truly be in the past. After 20 years they came out of prison as adults in their 20s and 30s, yet essentially they were still locked in the mental age they were when they were taken, not having had the opportunity to mature in the way normal adults do, yet enduring way beyond what most people ever have to face.

Traumatic as the family's story is, this is an amazing story of resilience, hope and courage. The setting in Morocco was fascinating, the insight into the royal lives enthralling, and the plot more extraordinary than anything fictional.

I couldn't put it down - 5 stars. show less

In 1972, Moroccan defense minister General Mohamed Oufkir staged a failed coup d'etat against King Hassan II. Oufkir was reported to have committed suicide, but was found with five bullet wounds. In retaliation for the coup, his entire family was imprisoned: Oufkir's wife, Fatima, and his children Malika, Raouf, Soukaina, Maria, Myriam, and Abdellatif. A cousin, Achoura, and a close family friend, Halima, joined them. Malika Oufkir was 17 years old; her brother Abdellatif was only 3.

Malika show more had been adopted at age 5 by King Mohammed V, to serve as a playmate for his daughter. After King Mohammed's death Hassan came into power, and continued to treat Malika like a member of his own family. However, she was completely separated from her family of origin and had only recently rejoined them when the coup attempt took place. The first part of this memoir vividly describes the opulence and luxury of Moroccan court life, which of course was in sharp contrast to prison conditions. Over a 20-year period, Malika and her family were kept in three different places, with markedly different conditions and privileges. Initially they were able to spend their days together, later they were transported to a harsher environment and placed into cells either alone or with 1-2 other family members. They spent 10 years without direct face-to-face contact, and yet devised ways to communicate and support each other in maintaining their will to live. Their mental and physical strength is both amazing and inspiring.

Oufkir's story is a shocking one, and yet is just one example of people who "disappeared" during King Hassan II's reign. I am embarrassed to admit that even though I came of age in the 1970s, and was nearly 30 by the time the Oufkirs gained their freedom, I knew nothing of the human rights violations in Morocco. Stolen Lives was a compelling and enlightening read. show less

Harrowing, uplifting, amazing and tragic in so many ways. The story of Malika Oufkir and her family. She was born the daughter of the King of Morocco's closest aide. She spent her younger years in the palace after the King adopted her to be a companion for his young daughter.

Then in 1972 her own father was executed for attempting to assassinate the King and her life of luxury ended. She and her mother and siblings (all children) were then imprisoned for twenty years under horrible show more conditions because of her father's actions.

The story is one of amazing resilience as they strive to keep each other going in these horrible circumstances using their family's love and humor as tools and weapons against evil and imagination as perhaps one of the best defenses of all.

It is a great tale of this family's triumph over tragedy and cruelty. show less

'Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.' -From The Bible, Psalm 79:8-

Malika Oufkir, in collaboration with Michele Fitoussi, writes a stunning memoir of her nearly 20 year imprisonment at the hands of the Moroccan King - Hassan II. In 1972, when Malika was only 17 years of age, her father - a man of high standing in the political world of the royalty - failed in his attempt to overthrow and assassinate King Hassan show more II. Malika's father was executed for his crime, but the King was not satisfied with only that. Malika, her mother and her five siblings - the youngest of whom was only three years old - were arrested and imprisoned for the sins of their husband and father.

The cruelty of Hassan II is told in captivating detail. Malika and her family faced beatings, starvation and abysmal living conditions. They survived through sheer will, creativity, humor and the love they had for each other. Oufkir relates their moments of desperation, hopelessness, and quest for freedom in language which is powerful in its simplicity.

I found myself more than once being grateful for the life I have been given, and the freedoms I often take for granted.

Stolen Lives is a memoir of despair, hope and ultimately triumph. It will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.

Recommended. show less