Captive in Iran

by Maryam Rostampour, Marziyeh Amirizadeh, John R. Perry (With)

Embark on a chilling journey inside one of the world’s darkest and most dangerous Evin, the notorious Tehran prison. Here, prisoners are routinely tortured, abused, and violated. Executions are frequent and sudden. But for two women imprisoned for their Christian faith―Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh―this hell on earth was a place of unlikely grace as they reflected God’s love and compassion to their fellow prisoners and guards. Against all odds, Evin would become the only church many of them had ever known.

In Captive in Iran , Maryam and Marziyeh recount their 259 days in Evin. It’s an amazing story of unyielding faith―when denying God would have meant freedom. Of incredible support from strangers around the world who fought for the women’s release. And of bringing God’s light into one of the world’s darkest places―giving hope to those who had lost everything, and showing love to those in despair.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Iran, Memoir, Middle East, Islam

312 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2013

Reviews

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most powerful and encouraging aspect of this story was the way the two girls refused to deny Christ despite the consequences. The prison system in Iran as detailed here is Kafka like with inadequate food laced with chemicals, breathtakingly bad medical care, lack of rights and above all seems completely mysterious about process and punishment. Even prisoners who have been given the dead penalty do not know for sure they are being executed until they see the noose. The treatment of prisoners seem to lie in the whims of the guards who are often brutal and the atrocities detailed here are very disturbing.

Life in Iran as shown here is one of complete insecurity. Anyone can be plucked off the street and detained and subject to horrific treatment for what we would consider no reason (you went to a party where boys and girls were present and they weren't related; you received emails from a different political group than the one that won the election). Frightening stuff. All this I had not read before.

This book however focuses on the plight of women and Christians in Iran. The two girls described are amazing in the steadfastness of their faith despite the cost and it is very interesting to see into life in Iran and its prison systems.

For those considering this book I would like to mention the following. The focus is entirely on the two girls imprisonment. Their is a brief bio sketch of both of them, and a small section about their life afterwards, but basically there are over two hundred pages on life in prison, on their various interrogations (which do get a bit repetitive as the same questions get asked over and over again) and some court room scenes. On the whole it seems like they have detailed everything that happened to them, not just picked the highlights.

Also they are very clear about wanting this book not to just be about them but to also give a voice to women prisoners in Iran and share their stories of victimisation. So within this book are a lot of smaller life stories told by the women prisoners to the two girls. It is hard to keep track of the names and the stories and to know the veracity of what has been reported. The stories are horrifying but I think it is possible some readers might be turned off by the sheer number of them.

*Also if you are reading the paper book - the caption on one of the photos in the middle tells the name of someone who is executed. I wish I hadn't known that so early on as the narrative only tells you at the end and it would have been more impacting to know then.

Overall this is moving (especially the flashback to baptism during a life/death courtroom scene) and very interesting. I don't ever want to be captive in Iran but loved how these girls made the prison a church and how God used them.

It also shows how international pressure gets prisoners released and the value of writing to those in chains.

I'm glad I read this.

[Matin Pyron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm so glad that I finished this book, it was very hard and difficult for me to empathize with these two ladies, for they have been through hell for real.
Every single chapter, it felt as if I was walking right beside them.
Nevertheless, I came to the conclusion that we are living in a sick and twisted world full of hatred. However, at the end of the day as the Lord commands us we do have to love one another, for in this world we will have tribulations but take heart, Christ has overcome the world!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this book and that is probably since it seems so many didn't like it because they felt that the two women were not Christian and didn't use enough Scripture in their writing. That is a shame. It seemed like both women were very much Christian and even went out of their comfort zone and the laws of Iran to spread the Gospel and distribute New Testaments to those who were interested in learning more about what it is to be a Christian. Unfortunately, some of the naysayers are also angry because the women disclosed they could speak in tongues, even though they do say not everyone gets this gifts - speaking in tongues is very much alive today, if your belief in the Lord is strong and you're open to His leading. Also the women discovered many miracles as they prayed with other women in the prison - even though God did perform some miracles not all prayers were meant with how they thought it should - as it sometimes happens. While they experienced many hardships in prison, lack of medical care for a ruptured eardrum, kidney disease, malnutrition and more they did there best not to complain. We can all attest to the fact that complaining can and does make a bad situation worse, so they tried their best to remain positive in a horrible situation. Talking, loving, sharing the Gospel and praying with the women both Muslims, Christians and those who had no faith - they wanted them to see there could be hope whether they got out of prison or not. Granted the book didn't give a lot of Scripture but since I wasn't looking for a Bible study that was okay - however I know where in the Bible to back up that miracles aren't dead and neither are the gifts of the Holy Spirit - so in that regard I'm fine with there not being a lot of Scripture although they did recall on their memory some of what they'd been able to memorize.

[Jessin Stalnaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two women’s retelling of their faith and its cost from start to finish. It is not a highlight reel. As a result, some of the chapters and details are a bit redundant, yet there is no missing the darkness and depravity of a people without Christ.
Though I personally disagree with some of their religious experiences, this is still a story of salt and light, of what Christians can learn in hard places, and how Truth can never be silenced.

[Jacolien · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Gevangen in Iran' is zo'n boek dat je in je hart weet te raken en je na de laatste bladzijde niet gelijk loslaat. Het boek vertelt het verhaal van Maryam en Marziyeh, hoe zij vanwege hun geloof in Jezus in Iran in de gevangenis terecht kwamen maar daar ondanks alles hun vertrouwen op God bleven stellen en hoe God hen er doorheen hielp.

Wat ik vooral bijzonder vind aan dit boek, is dat het niet alleen de nadruk legt op alle moeilijke omstandigheden (die er wel degelijk waren), maar juist ook laat zien hoe God door de twee vrouwen heen in de gevangenissen werkte en zo mensenlevens veranderde - niet alleen van de gevangenen, maar ook van bewakers.

Het is ongelooflijk mooi om te zien dat ze ondanks alles op Gods plan vertrouwden en dat ook deelden met de medegevangenen. Het is ook een les voor ons: hoeveel hebben wij over voor het geloof in een land waar het gewoon kan? Zouden wij ons vertrouwen op God blijven stellen, ook als we in de gevangenis zouden zitten? Oftewel: een boek dat je aan het denken zet en daarbij Gods goedheid in werkelijk alle omstandigheden laat zien.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible true story of God's providence and the faith of Marziyeh and Maryam, two Christian young women in Iran imprisoned for their faith and sharing the Gospel.



Maryam and Marziyeh's lives are upturned when they are arrested on vague charges and held unlawfully for months in Evin prison. The friends and sisters in Christ take turns telling their sides of their remarkable imprisonment and how God used them to bring light to a dark place. In prison they find themselves more free to share the Gospel than on the streets of Iran, as they share their faith and pray for the other women in prison with them.



A truly inspiring story of faith under the pressure of persecution, and how God used them to spread the Gospel in a dark and almost unreachable place, giving them hope, and perseverance to hold to their faith. This book was a good reminder of how God can use evil things for His glory, and of the harsh persecution of Christians in many countries today. Maryam and Marziyeh also shed light on many of the unethical practices that are considered commonplace in a predominately Islamic country, and the corruption in the legal system, as well as the plights that many women face in such cultural situations face.



Overall, a must read book right up there with If I Perish by Esther Ahn Kim (if you haven't read that book either, you need too). I inspired and challenged by their faith, compassion, and passion for sharing the Gospel. I also learned so much about the Iranian culture and how Islam is very much intertwined with it. Highly recommend this unforgettable read!



Books reviewed are checked out from my local library or purchased with my own money, unless otherwise noted.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story provides a fascinating look inside Iran's prison system as well as a look at Iranian society as it operates under religious Muslim control. While the book mentions numerous times that Iranian law allows individuals to practice a religion of their choice, non-Muslims are not allowed to try to convert anyone to their faith, carry Christian books or symbols, with penalties that may include the death penalty. Death penalty is also used for anyone who leaves the Muslim faith for another religion. The interesting part of this story is how the authors were imprisoned for vague charges because they had converted to Christianity and then would converse with anyone who wanted to learn more about their faith in Jesus, who is treated as another prophet in the Koran. But while in prison for most of a year without formal charges and without access to an attorney, they were able to meet many more women there and help them cope with what was happening to them. They probably affected more people, including some of the guards, quite openly while in prison as compared to outside. It was a study in the power of faith in bad times. I would recommend it for anyone interested in how a fairly closed and controlled society functions. I had just finished a book about conditions in North Korea that left a similar impression...more shades of 1984.

[Yibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:35-39)
These ladies are truly encouraging examples of staying the course. Despite what they had to endure for their faith, they continued to proclaim Christ the only Son of God, crucified, buried, and risen again.
It was a rough read, just because of what they went through. It wasn't for a young audience. Many of the prisoners in the jail were practicing Sodomites and so there is some discussion of that. There were a few theological issues as well. Dreams and visions, supposedly from God, are mentioned quite a bit, so I would guess that they are either Pentecostal or Charismatic. A bit of discernment is required to sort it all out.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I could not put down. No one should ever have to endure the kind of treatment women receive in Evin prison. So many of the women imprisoned there were unjustly imprisoned or given stiff sentences for relatively minor crimes. Despite their brutal, dehumanizing treatment in prison, the authors did not dwell on their misery; rather, even despite painful illnesses, they encouraged others, prayed for the other women, treated them kindly and told them about Jesus. They also showed great courage by refusing to deny their faith in Christ, even when told they could be released if they would do that. These were ordinary women who did not give up hope, but trusted in God.

This is a book that illuminates the plight of women in Iran and tells how many different women from different walks of life ended up in prison. In spite of the grim realities in this book, the book is a tribute to the joy that two Christian women had and brought to others.

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such an incredible story about two Iranian women who stood their ground serving both Christ and those around them while they were held in prison for nearly a year. They tell a lot of the stories of those whom they met and how the gospel spread because of the prayers they gave for others and the miracles seen at times inside the prison. It was a pretty good story! I like how strong they were in their faith. Both of these women alternated telling things. There were a few repetitious moments though which I understood why they'd repeat them, but I feel it got tired after the second time.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

So stunning. I love these stories of the massive faithfulness of God. This is very well written and hard to put down. This story is crazy, and completely God. He is in the darkest of prisons. It is literally astounding the things He does in the lives of these girls and the woman in that prison. It is clearly showing how very much God is close to those who are broken hearted.

[Charity Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most amazing books I have read. These girls took the opportunity to have a captive audience instead of feeling like captives themselves. It is so amazing that they CHOSE to bring God glory in the darkest of circumstances and in doing so, God changed many lives. Please read this book!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

My take-away: pray for believers who are right now imprisoned.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only God 😮🙌🏻

[Dani Busser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book was captivating to me;
Their unrelenting passion for Christ, the intensity of circumstances, the humor that’s effortlessly etched in.
The authors were without reservation, completely and utterly themselves. It was consistent in their writing, and their writing is consistent with their personalities in real life as well. Not trying to be more than they are. The transparency was refreshing and allowed the space for God to get the glory by doing so, which was exactly their goal.
I’d find myself sitting in my car trying to hear at least one more chapter before having to attend social engagements.
A real testimony that encourages you in your own walk. Grounding you in your thinking and prioritization of what truly matters. Loved it.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful biography of two women's evangelical lives centered around love of Christ even withstanding harsh interrogations and poor prison conditions due to an unjust Iranian justice system.

[Dottie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sub-title of this book is accurate. Captive in Teheran is a remarkable story of hope and triumph - the story of two Christian women imprisoned in Teheran for 259 days. Maryam and Marziyeh are arrested for promoting Christianity in Iran – a capital offense. They are detained in deplorable conditions, interrogated endlessly without an attorney and without written charges against them. During their captivity they witness and minister to countless prisoners with greater freedom than they could on the outside! Both women also witness to the guards, court officials and judges. They will not deny Christ even if it costs them their lives. Captive in Teheran reveals the disdain for women under sharia law - the lack of integrity, justice and fairness by this Islamic country. It also shows the amazing power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of two women fully surrendered to Christ. This is an eye opening true story.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting, convicting read, though there were a few negatives. There was some swearing, to portray the real character of some--still, not necessary, in my opinion. There is talk of dreams and speaking in tongues, which is different than I've always been taught is how God works today. But I can't say for sure how He works in countries/situations with limited access to the Bible. Some of it may be the authors misunderstanding/misinterpreting things, some may be actual miracles of God. The women teach what they call church, but I think it is to other women, and more like a Bible study. In any case, they seem to have strong and genuine faith and love for Christ, with boldness that convicts. If they so eagerly share Christ in such a land, why shouldn't we in a land of freedom?

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring true story. It is encouraging to learn about people who have willingly suffered for Christ, just like the early Christians did. In the United States, it is hard to understand what persecution is like, so we need books like these to remind us of what Christians in other countries go through.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible account of these two brave women held captive in one of Iran's most notorious prisons. Was deeply blessed, and challenged!, reading it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye opening account of Christian persecution and stronger faith. Highly recommended.

[Arrash Mazdai · Rating 1 out of 5]

New Words Learnt - 0
Braincells lost - 1 trillion

Probably my worst read of the year, and one of the worst reads ever. I did not expect when I first picked up this book the amount of times I would have to put it down again or vent my frustration over the smallest but also most important of things, to the point at the end I was skeptical of what I was reading due to the inconsistencies and personal agendas blatant in this book.
First let’s start with the good, this is a damning portrayal of prison conditions in Iran, as well as other aspects. It is a rare insight to many things, including some of the injustices to women, which I pray for them to get resolved asap.
However the negatives overwhelmed any positives. This is first a Christian book before anything else. The Bible would be jealous of how many times Jesus Christ has been mentioned by them, or the way the authors (henceforth to be referred to as M&M) were bootlicking him every chance they got. The prison conditions, the convoluted justice system, and everything else came second before the ever-needing desire to spread and evangelise the gospel.
So first things first, I have no problems with faith or God or any of that. I myself believe wholeheartedly in God (whom I think of as a powerful-if-not-trolling best friend), the prophets, heaven and hell, all of that. However I do not find myself religious as religion has nothing to do with my faith in God and to say anything otherwise is false and dangerous. So when people’s faiths were questioned constantly by M&M because they weren’t doing it properly, or based on their religion rubbed me the wrong way. "Oh no, you believe in God but don’t pray through Jesus Christ? How could you?!" This went on EVERY SINGLE PAGE! Also, I must question the authenticity of the finer details in this book through A) the translations, B) the translator and C) the place where the translations happened (In the Bible belt of America). Anything to highlight that the Christian God is better than any other religion’s God (they’re the same God smh). I haven’t read the Bible yet - I’ve been intrigued since before reading this book to do so - but I do know that the book mentions many prophets, so when M&M claim that Jesus says “He is the first and he is the last”, that seems a bit contradictory to me. What about Adam then? Noah? Abraham? Moses? Were they not prophets of God? Did all the people that lived before Christ just not have a way through to God then (as claimed “The only way to God is through me”. Sounds like a bunch of religious propaganda to me). Was Muhammed not a prophet of God? Which brings me on nicely to my next section of criticism (and how religion and faith are two completely different things), the complete antagonisation of Islam. The first thing said before anything is done in Islam is “In the name of the Merciful and Compassionate God”. God is known to be extremely kind, caring and forgiving. So to claim the God of Islam (again, it’s the same bloody God), is one of ‘Revenge and Punishment’ is untrue at best and a blatant lying disrespectful attack at worst. Again, tying someone’s faith (or lack thereof) down to their religion where there can only be one true one. Now I get it, the version of Islam currently in Iran is a particularly distorted one, manipulated and corrupted to keep those in power, in power. But here’s a simple question for M&M. Do you not think, through your own theology degree and obviously intelligent conversations (I hope), that Christianity hasn’t itself been in this own position before? That it hasn’t been manipulated and corrupted to suit the needs of those in higher, wealthier, more powerful places? Do you not think that Time is the most manipulative and corruptive thing out there? That 2000yrs of Christianity, that 1400yrs of Islam, that these weren’t changed and edited to suit religious leaders/organisations/empires? Of course, Christianity in Iran is a minority so all you’re going to get is a purified more faithful form of it, and it was only hinted at in the end when they moved to America that they became aware of the different ‘denominations’ of Christianity (which have been at each other’s throats over the smallest of things for millennia). But no, no mention of that in this book because it would make Christianity look bad.
There were so many of these instances where they highlighted all the big problems of ‘Islam’, not caring what true faithful muslims were saying that the version M&M were seeing was a messed up, corrupted version of it, but then they were very tight-lipped when it came to their own religion. I guess all those living under Christian dictatorships (past or present) must go repent and count their blessings as they are being guided (wilfully or not) to their salvation. M&Ms worship of God has gone beyond that of personal faith and has become a delusional addiction and obsession. The bias in this book is so blood-boiling. They mention in the beginning their journey to Christ and how Islam didn’t satisfy their thirst for God, and how other religions didn’t either. But they never delved into the other religions or why they weren’t what they were looking for? Why spend so much time criticising Islam, so much time promoting Christianity, but then not giving any of the other religions any mentions at all. That and the lack of respect for their motherland when they sympathised with a separatist terrorist just convinced me that just like the many heroin addicts of Iran, M&M are also addicts who would sell the whole of Iran just to inject gospels daily in their bloodstream and yours too, if they had a chance. I don’t know what they think about of the new antiabortion laws in America, but I have a fair understanding of their LGBTQ views from reading this book and it sounds like they’ll fit right in in Atlanta, Georgia. If you want a book about prison conditions in Iran or the injustices to women there’s bound to better ones. If you want a book to strengthen your belief in Christianity or God, go read the Bible or something. This is just a waste of time.

Edit 1: Some things I forgot to include in the main text because there are that many of them. The girls kept answering the question of "What are your charges?" with "Our belief in Christ." No. NO. You were arrested because you were PROMOTING Christianity, which while I agree should NOT be against the law, it is. You know it is, you know it is punishable by death in Iran, yet you went and did it anyway and you were apprehensive of arrest which is further proof that you broke this law willingly. So stop claiming you were arrested on the basis of your religion. This subtle change is to garner additional sympathy through lying.
Also with Maryam's ear infection. Either it is viral or bacterial. If it is viral which you so claimed, there isn't much you can do about it and it normally leaves within 7days. If it is bacterial and NEEDS treatment to stop it from spreading, then 100% erythromycin can help it. You can't have your cake and eat it at the same time.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a heart breaking read. To hear just how easily freedom can be stripped away in a country who doesn't respect a persons ability to choose the religion they believe in is scary! In addition, to hear the types of things the women in this country had to endure do to the mistreatment of men who are granted extra power as a result of their gender is even more maddening.

I appreciate these stories told by these women, and their vulnerability to invite us into their experience in this prison. Understanding how God was able to minister through them in those hard times, and their perspective about why God would put them there was just incredible. A very worthwhile read.

[Kaye S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a testament of faith and love for Jesus under persecution! Maryam and Marziyeh’s courage and unwavering trust in God challenged me to reflect on my own walk with Christ and what true obedience looks like. Because they loved the Lord they were able to truly love others and serve those in the lowliest places. How am I showing God’s love and serving others in the place that God has me? This book is both sobering and encouraging, offering a renewed gratitude for Christian freedoms and a deep respect for believers who suffer for the gospel. Also learned about the dangers of Islam and how it can be twisted to fit an agenda. Highly recommend!

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maryam´s and Marziyeh´s story is not just inspiring; it is eye-opening. I do not merely mean eye-opening in terms of their persecution. I knew that much going into the book. Rather, I mean that this book is eye-opening to the kinds of people who are thrown into prison in Iran. This book is not just Maryam's or Marziyeh's story, but it is the story of everyone they came across in Vozara and later Evin, of friends they made and lives they changed for Christ's sake. My heart broke for each and every person they described talking to and their life stories that they related to "the Christian girls" in prison with them. This is a book that will definitely challenge American Christians to be better stewards of the freedom we have for the cause of Christ.

[Sheri Peddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently I had the privilege to hear the authors speak. The pastor asked what they must think when they hear Americans claim persecution. Their answer really peaked my interest, really moved me to think deeper than perhaps simply, say a biased political response. Anne Graham Lotz was intrigued the same, as you can read in the book’s Forward. I read this book while on holiday break from a Bible Study of Revelations, which I think also drew me deeper into thoughts or wisdom.

It’s a good book especially for every American Christian to read. We really have no idea. The book also helped me understand how I might effect change for the son of friends whose son is held captive in Syria.

[Isa Van Rooijen]

No rating, since this is a personal true story. What an incredibly inspiring account. Despite all the injustice these women faced, they remained steadfast and never lost their courage. I found it very touching to read how Maryam and Marziyeh were able to build such strong friendships in these horrific circumstances, simply by not judging people, by seeing the good in others, and by showing genuine kindness and interest.

[Janae Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story of faith lived out by two Christian women who were imprisoned for their faith. It was a challenge to me how they stood for their beliefs in Christ, and ministered to everyone along the way, no matter how much they were struggling or suffering personally.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening, heart-breaking, encouraging and inspiring. Their story is incredible. I brought it down a star because the writing itself wasn’t the best, in my opinion, and I actually did not like the audio narration at all. But definitely a story that needs to be heard!

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two women have a massive faith in God that made mine feel puny. They go in depth on prison life and spotlight many other women’s stories. It’s brutal what they among many have had to endure and truthfully still are. A remarkable true story that I could hardly put down.