- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (12 Jun 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006383297
- ISBN-13: 978-0006383291
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 12.8 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 595,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Born into a privileged family in India, Kiranjit Ahluwalia came to England in 1979 to be married to a man she had met only once. The next ten years were to be a nightmare of almost daily, physical, mental and sexual violence at the hands of her husband. Isolated by a society in which wife-beating was regarded as a normal part of life, Kiranjit, in desperation, killed the man who had tortured her for so long. Bewildered, poorly advised and speaking little English, she was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. In prison, she unexpectedly found a degree of freedom she had never known in the outside world. For the first time she was safe from beatings and abuse, and was able to make friends with other women - including Sara Thornton, still imprisoned for an offence similar to her own. Meanwhile, a campaign to secure a retrial was gathering momentum. Media coverage of her plight had made Kiranjit something of a "cause celebre", and she was attracting many prominent supporters. The case against her was finally dismissed in September 1992, and she was released amid scenes of rejoicing.
From the Back Cover
KIRANJIT AHLUWALIA'S STORY IS HARROWING AND SHOCKING, BUT ULTIMATELY TRIUMPHANT. IT IS A STORY OF SURVIVAL AND HOPE IN THE FACE OF ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE ODDS.
Born into a well-off family in India, Kiranjit Ahluwalia came to England in 1979 to be married to a man she hardly knew. She was a cheerful, optimistic young woman, full of hope for a happy married life, but literally from the day of the wedding it was clear that all was not well. The next ten years were to be a nightmare of constant physical and mental abuse at the hands of her violent husband. There was no one she could turn to for help and support, as domestic violence is virtually a taboo subject for many Asians in Britain, and family honour – 'izzat' – is the supreme consideration. In 1989, exhausted, confused and driven beyond endurance by the suffering she had undergone, Kiranjit killed the man who had made her life a misery. At her trial, the proceedings of which she had barely understood, Kiranjit was found guilty of murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment. As the details of her case emerged following a campaign co-ordinated by Southall Black Sisters, a women's centre operating on a shoestring budget, nationwide attention focused on her plight, and she was set free in 1992. After her release, Kiranjit met the Princess of Wales, who urged her to write a book about her experiences. 'Circle of Light' is that book. It is a remarkable first-hand account of one of the most controversial and troubling issues of recent years. Kiranjit Ahluwalia's case is unique, but it reveals the disturbing truth about many women's lives in Britain today.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book really opened my eyes to the struggles faced by any woman suffering domestic violence. Charged with emotion, it is a heart-rending account of the horrific violence suffered by Kiranjit Ahluwalia, her imprisonment for murder, and the tireless struggle of her supporters to change attitudes and the law to win the freedom that she morally deserved. This book should be read.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this book was excellent, it really shows the torture and pain caused to kiranjit. Her struggled life and the way she was coping. I do believe that in some instances, she could have been strong and confronted the issues caused by her husband, and not let him walk all over her. Definately a good book to read.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best autobiographies I have read so far. A real insight into the mind of a woman suffering Domestic Violence. Once I started reading the book it was very difficult to put down and I completed it in two days because I just had to read on and on. Kiranjit Ahluwalia explains her life of a abused wife simply yet in detail and what she went through for ten years of her life and the consequences after are unimagniable, yet Domestic Violence goes on and women continue to suffer. A factual book full of sadness, happiness, anger, exhilaration and heart stopping events. READ IT YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
DISAGREE WITH NEGATIVE COMMENTS
This is an excellent book. I dont agree with the negative reviews about the book as these people have not been through her situation, so who are you to judge?? Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2005
Lies
Contrary to an earlier review, domestic violence is not considered the norm in Asian families. Kiranjit could speak English as she had a job in Crawley. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2003
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