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A Good Wife
- Escaping the Life I Never Chose
- Narrated by: Samra Zafar
- Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Women
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Favorite Wife
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She had no choice in the matter - none of the girls did. Her mission was to give birth to and raise many children in devoted service to a shared husband. Susan was 15 years old when she became the sixth wife of Verlan LeBaron, one of the leaders of a rogue Mormon cult, who was engaged in a blood feud with his brother that from 1972 to 1988 claimed up to two dozen lives. In this gripping and eloquent book, Susan Ray Schmidt tells the story of growing up on the inside and of her ultimate escape with her children from an oppressive and violent life.
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Publisher's Summary
She faced years of abuse after arriving in Canada as a teenage bride in a hastily arranged marriage, but nothing could stop Samra Zafar from pursuing her dreams
At 15, Samra Zafar had big dreams for herself. She was going to go to university, and forge her own path. Then with almost no warning, those dreams were pulled away from her when she was suddenly married to a stranger at 17 and had to leave behind her family in Pakistan to move to Canada. Her new husband and his family promised that the marriage and the move would be a fulfillment of her dream, not a betrayal of it. But as the walls of their home slowly became a prison, Samra realized the promises were empty ones.
In the years that followed she suffered her husband’s emotional and physical abuse that left her feeling isolated, humiliated, and assaulted. Desperate to get out, and refusing to give up, she hatched an escape plan for herself and her two daughters. Somehow she found the strength to not only build a new future, but to walk away from her past, ignoring the pleas of her family and risking cultural isolation by divorcing her husband.
But that end was only the beginning for Samra. Through her academic and career achievements, she has gone on to become a mentor and public speaker, connecting with people around the world from isolated women in situations similar to her own, to young schoolgirls in Kenya who never allowed themselves to dream to men making the decisions to save for their daughters’ educations instead of their dowries. A Good Wife tell her harrowing and inspiring story, following her from a young girl with big dreams, through finding strength in the face of oppression and then finally battling through to empowerment.
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A quick search brings up lists of the memoir bestsellers: stories of celebrities, athletes, politicians and the rest. But what about the lesser-known stories? Unknown books? The unsung heroes? These memoirs can be just as - if not more - powerful, often because listeners can relate to them on a more personal level. We’ve compiled 8 of the finest hidden gems books of the memoir genre that tell these underrated but no less powerful real-life stories.
What listeners say about A Good Wife
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Melva T
- 2021-05-08
Great motivator!
From tragedy to triumph, Samra carries us on her journey and I truly cheered her success! A great read and great example to all women of all walks of life!
2 people found this helpful
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- Laurie P.
- 2021-05-08
Courageous
I by the grace of the Creator have never been in domestic violence. I was slapped by my first boyfriend across the face and that was it for me. I thought my father has never hit me and nobody will ever hit me again. You are helping so many women and men to think there is another life out there. Where they are not blamed and feel shamed for not wanting to be hit or verbally abused any more. To come out of the darkness and unto the light that they too deserve to be in. Never stop your amazing work. May your daughter's grow up in the light.
I applaud you.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-04-29
Inspirational story
A great story about persevering and overcoming odds. A look into one persons determination to not give up and push forward no matter what. Found the story a bit slow at the bugging but once it got started, it was riveting stuff.
1 person found this helpful
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- Caroline Wharton
- 2022-07-30
Spectacular true life story!
I couldn’t stop listening…one of the most inspirational books I’ve ever read. I loved every word. It was beautifully written and narrated.
I appreciate Samra’s bravery in telling her deeply personal and often tragic story. I’m inspired by how she eventually succeeded in living a successful, independent life as a single mother against so many odds.
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- Roanna P.
- 2022-01-10
Loved
Empowering and a amazing read ..could not put down . Emotional roller coaster ..excellent portrayal of resilience
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- Brittaney
- 2021-12-11
Great listen for my daughter and I
First I read it and them listened to the audiobook at nap times with my 10yr old. She was quite taken with it once she understood the premise.
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- Jennifer Gurini
- 2021-11-14
Very inspirational and motivating life story!
Thank you for sharing your story with the world. It is one that needs to be heard!
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- Tulip 🌷 Lilly
- 2021-11-10
This book changed my life!
Santa Zafar takes the reader on a terrifying journey of a teenager being deceived into marriage, then develops the story into a triumph that propels the author to a life she could have never imagined. It's an inspirational story that has helped so many people through their journey of abuse. Ms. Zafar has a beautiful voice, and every word she reads drips with emotion. Listen to this book. You won't be the same afterwards.
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- Joanne
- 2021-10-31
bravery
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will be sharing this book with my daughter. I will be reading it again later on down the road.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2021-10-27
An Important Story
This book is a difficult read, but helps anyone in an abusive relationship understand what is going on and gives inspiration to get free. But also an enlightening read for those of us who have never been in such a relationship and have never been bound by tradition or culture. I am more compassionate thanks to this book.