Critics close book on author: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 July 2004: 3.
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Abstract
GINA Yatim knew something was amiss when author Norma Khouri portrayed Jordan in her best-selling book as a country where “honour killings” were common.
Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of Forbidden Love, a supposed non-fiction account of Khouri’s friendship with Dalia, a woman who was murdered by her father after falling in love with, and engaging in a chaste affair with, a Christian army officer by the name of Michael.
Khouri, who was allegedly forced to flee Jordan, now lives in hiding in Queensland after being assisted by publisher Random House to obtain a temporary visa.
Full Text
GINA Yatim knew something was amiss when author Norma Khouri portrayed Jordan in her best-selling book as a country where “honour killings” were common.
“When I first read the blurb … I knew it couldn’t be true. It gives the impression Jordanians are criminals when they are not. It is a very modern culture,” said Ms Yatim, a Christian Jordanian born in Australia.
“When this book reduced people to tears, I was saying, `Hello!’.”
Doubts have been raised over the authenticity of Forbidden Love, a supposed non-fiction account of Khouri’s friendship with Dalia, a woman who was murdered by her father after falling in love with, and engaging in a chaste affair with, a Christian army officer by the name of Michael.
Mohammed Awad, completing a masters degree at Swinburne University, said he had been “distraught and disgusted” over the unrealistic portrayal of gender relations in the Islamic world.
“When I first read it I had no doubts that it was made up,” he said.
“I myself have been given a hard time as a Jordanian man as a result of the book, with people suggesting that this is what we do and how we treat our women, which is just so wrong. I am very grateful the truth is coming out.”
It has sold 200,000 copies in Australia alone, but weekend reports accused Khouri — who spent months last year promoting the book as the story of her life — of a literary hoax.
Khouri, who was allegedly forced to flee Jordan, now lives in hiding in Queensland after being assisted by publisher Random House to obtain a temporary visa.
President of the Australian Jordanian Friendship Association Hani Mouasher said Jordan was a modern democratic country and the reports of thousands of honour killings was simply not true.
Random House has refused to comment on the scandal beyond issuing a statement on Friday evening, which said: “In light of the new information brought to our attention … we are checking these claims with Ms Khouri.”