The Punjabi's Wife [Paperback]

Lara Lyons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

In 1968, a naïve 19 year old Midwestern girl marries an older Pakistani man and moves to Lahore where she lives as a Muslim wife for almost two years. She did not realize that her new husband married her to gain American citizenship and return to the United States. Her life in Pakistan is adventure-filled: shopping bazaars, dancing girls, an Islamic red light district, historical Moghul architecture, and social turmoil. Over time thes Pakistani real life experience reveals how Muslims control and mistreat their women. The danger of fanatic Shiite religious practices and exciting travel are all balanced with her status as a blond American woman in a foreign land at the mercy of her Muslim husband. This true story unveils an informed observation of Muslim women's status in Pakistani society. The Punjabi's Wife is a book that asserts itself as a true American odyssey, a brave young woman's adventure story and lessons for western women contemplating relationships with a Muslim man.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Decisions Lara made as a young woman were based on a romantic belief in honesty and love.  The wrenching lessons she learned are universal and priceless" -  Linda Hatch, Retired  Montana Mental Health Administrator.

"A captivating account of a young woman's journey of self discovery in a foreign land.  Vivid and heartbreaking.  I couldn't put it down."  Robert M. Strumor, Attorney-at-Law, Santa Fe, New Mexico

"The Punjabi's Wife was so compelling that I could not put it down.  I finished the book in one weekend!  I was amazed at how this young woman was able to handle such cultural diversity and maintain her mental balance.  It was a gripping tale of a girls transition into womanhood in a world far from her own.  I encourage every young woman seekig an adventure to read this book first".  -  Teresa Haft, Executive Assistant, Exempla, Inc.

"An interesting story of a brave young American girl who experienced life as a Muslim wife - I just couldn't put it down and read it several times."  - Aaron Janowski, CEO Wellsley Corporation.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Lara was born in a small town in southeast Missouri to a middle class family. During her childhood her mother worked as an English teacher and her father a salesman. The family moved to Carbondale Illinois in 1965. After attending one year at Southern Illinois University, at eighteen years old, Lara met and then married a Pakistani man who was in his mid 30's. Within six months after the wedding, she traveled to West Pakistan and lived for almost two years as a Pakistani bride in Lahore. She returned to America in 1970, gave birth to twin daughters in 1972 and divorced her Muslim husband in 1975. After her divorce she returned to school and finished her Master of Science Degree in Education. Her 30 year career as Director of Development and Executive Director for several large non-profit organizations has developed her skills in writing, public speaking and management of organizations. She has studied world religions including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism in an effort to understand why people use religion to justify their actions toward others. Throughout her life she has traveled internationally and lived in St. Louis, Chicago and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lara is currently living on her ranch and raising money for a large hospital in a western state. She enjoys fishing, target shooting, farming and raising horses. The Punjabi's Wife is her first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: All Things That Matter Press (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982205686
• ISBN-13: 978-0982205686
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent adventure story, January 16, 2009

By 

G. Kemper - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Punjabi's Wife (Paperback)

This book's truly depicts an young girls adventure into an unkown culture. It catches you from the beggining and keeps your interest throughout. I could not image experiencing the fear, loneliness and the anticipation of the unknown, that the author describes within these pages.
I would highly recomend this book to anyone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candid and Wholly Entertaining, October 5, 2009

By 

J. Knox "JK" (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Punjabi's Wife (Paperback)

The subject matter of this book is what hooked me, but after reading the first few pages I felt as though I were having a revelatory discussion with a good friend. I recommend this book for content and voice; Lara Lyons is obviously a talented writer with a educational and heartrending story to share.
--Jen Knox, author of Musical Chairs

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening, thought provoking!!, December 17, 2008

By 

S. Smith (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Punjabi's Wife (Paperback)

This is the story of a young, naive girl from the Midwest, who marries a Pakistani and moves to his country. It's an eye opener for anyone from a western culture trying to understand that part of the world, its people, their religion and their culture. Ms. Lyons descriptions of Pakistan, its people and of her life there keep you turning the pages. It's a must read for any westerner contemplating marriage to a Muslim.