Daughter of Jerusalem: An American Woman's Journey of Faith

By Sharon Geyer

Daughter of Jerusalem: A Timely Look at Three Faiths by a Gifted Storyteller.Writing with spare and lovely prose, Sharon Geyer deservedly won honors (the San Diego Prize for Narrative Nonfiction 2004)... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0972419624
• ISBN13: 9780972419628
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Faithwalk Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

This is the best non-fiction book I have ever read!

I was engrossed with the story and admired the author's quest for spiritual growth and the courage she had to face all of the challenges brought before her. It is clear that the author experienced a great deal of anguish being separated from her children. She never wanted for anything material but continued to grow spiritually and the love she had for her sons never dimmed; it was channeled into helping others. The author described the very complicated political/religous climate of the middle east in concise lucid terms.I highly recommend this book.

A Free Spirit

From reading this book I learned that Sharon is an awsome woman. This book is not just about motherhood and Iran. There is so much more to it. It's a story of relentless courage and real life obstacles. This is a story about a young girl who follows her heart.As with all young women, she doesn't always make the best decisions. She learns from her mistakes and persistentlypersues her quest. Dedicated in her search for God, she has many adventures. Some of them good, some of them not. Sharon is able to retain her personal values despite persecutions. She doesn't let the trials and tribulations keep her down. Throughout Sharons life, she is able to remain true to herself and others. A real keeper of her own convictions. I was inspired by her travels and fearless way of really "living" her life. An autobiography of a truly strong woman, her experiences and lessons learned. A book that reads well and isn't overly wordy. Ms. Geyer can concisly describe her surroundings in such a way that you could picture it in your mind. A true talent. I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more from Sharon Geyer.

Daughter of Jerusalem, An American Woman's Journey of Faith

Sharon is a wonderful storyteller. She has an excellent way with words. Her descriptions of the places she lived are vivid and put the reader right in the picture. What struck me the most, however, was her way of conveying the extreme emotional anguish she experienced over having to leave her sons in Tehran and her turbulent search for God. This is a spiritually uplifting book, but it also holds the reader in suspense as we wait to see if Sharon ever achieves a reunion with her boys.Sharon experiences all three major religions, and while this is definitely a Christian book, she shows a knowledge and tolerance of both Judaism and Islam. Her experience with an abusive husband is very similar to that experienced by the author of 'Not Without My Daughter,' but Sharon's tale of her struggles with Mansoor and her time spent in Iran do not reflect bitterness towards her Iranian family and the customs and people of Iran in general.Being successfully married to an Iranian and having lived in Tehran myself, I can assure the readers of Sharon's story and that of 'Not Without My Daughter' that not all Iranian men are abusive. This is as ridiculous an assumption as saying no American men abuse their wives. I know of many foreign/Iranian marriages that have been successful, and I did not see any abuse within my husband's family or the families of my friends. Sharon's book is a page-turner. The reader will want to see what happens with her search for faith and, most importantly, if this story will have a 'happy ending.' It is a story for those who are seeking spirituality; it's a story for those who love to read about foreign places; but it is especially a story for mothers. This book shows the incredible bond that is between a mother and her children.The author gives the impression that there will be a sequel to her book. I'm certainly looking forward to that. For being a new author, Sharon's book has had a great impact on me.

"Seek, and You Shall Find!"

Sharon Geyer's DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM is a gripping story of one woman's search for personal authenticity and a deeper faith in God in the midst of no ordinary adversities. It is a triumphant survivor's story. Married young to an Iranian man, Geyer moves to his country and gives him two sons. But her husband turns brutal and sadistic, and subject to the laws of a society that favors males over females, she struggles to escape her diastrous marriage. When she does escape, he keeps her children, and she wanders from job to job in various temporary homes in the middle east. In each home she finds new friends and new religious resources for what becomes her pilgrimage, her adventure, perhaps her Exodus. The author artfully braids together the many strands of her journey: her escape from her abusive husband, her struggleto survive as a woman in patriarchal societies, her need to restore her relationship to her sons, and her own personalspiritual odyssey into Christian faith. It is an autobiography told like a novel and a history interpreted with great sensitivity. She has earned her wisdom at great cost, and her work will both instruct and inspire.

A True Story that Reads Like A Tale of Adventure & Romance

Sharon Geyer is an amazing woman and a terrific storyteller. As a young woman, she heads off to Iran with her new husband and son, unaware of all the dangers and trials that she will face there. When she barely escapes with her life, but is not permitted to take her sons, she stops off in Jerusalem on her way back to America and falls in love with the mystery and magic of the Holy Land. She spends many years there,eking out a living on a kibbutz, in an orphanage, even as a cook in a convent. Along the way, she meets many fascinating people, whom she describes vividly in her book. I could "picture" Jerusalem, the Galilee, and all the other places I've read about in newspapers, far better after reading this book than I ever have before. Geyer is that rare writer who can turn words into pictures effortlessly. Hers is a tale of a courageous woman who grew in faith and love through trials that would destroy most. Although it is obvious she longs to be reunited with her sons, this writer is no sentimental button pusher. She lets you feel your own feelings, and you'll rejoice with her when you get to the "happy ending" that we all hope for in our lives. I can see why this book has won awards.