I am not certain the accuracy of this heart-wrenching memoir by Jacqueline Pascarl. The story narrated her less-than-childhood to her abusive marriage. Unlike other novels where we expected happily-ever-after-ending, all was not well for Jacqueline. Her beloved children were kidnapped by her ex-husband and removed from her.
Jacqueline, an Australian, was married to a prince of Trengannu, Malaysia - Bahrin. This started her nightmare. Not only was Bahrin not supportive and patient with her assimilation into a foreign culture and land, he also physically and emotionally abused her. Fortunately, her friendships with some of the ladies of the royal family helped provided friendships.
When she continually been belittled and assaulted, she decided not to return to Malaysia with her kids during her visit of her grandma in Australia. Despite a fierce legal battle to secure custody of her children, she lived in constant fear that Bahrin would take revenge. Her fears were not unfounded. Bahrin took 7 years to plan the kidnap of his children.
Faced with her exhusband's social influence and status in Malaysia and Australian Government's diplomatic concerns, she was hapless in the fight to gain back her children. Till today, she still had not access to her children at all.
The memoir vividly depicted Jacqueline's dysfunctional family during her childhood, her happiness during Bahrin's courtship and her nightmare during her marriage to Bahrin. I was not certain of the degree of accuracy and truthfulness. However, it highlighted a woman's worst nightmare of an abusive husband. many had suffered in silence for many years. The same occurred for Jacqueline. She had time and again forgave her husband. It was only when she thought of her young children, that was when her maternal instinct took charge and she decided to take more drastic measures to protect them and herself.
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