Captive in Iran

A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran's Brutal Evin Prison

By: Maryam Rostampour, Marziyeh Amirizadeh, John Perry

Narrated by: Patty Fogarty

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Embark on a chilling journey inside one of the world’s darkest and most dangerous places: 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.

©2013 Tyndale Momentum (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Sorry, but

Where does Captive in Iran rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
If you want to know what a Wisconsin housewife sounds like, listen to this book. It's a very important story, but there were times I was actually cringing at the sound of the narrator's voice and her bad Midwestern accent.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patty Fogarty’s performances?
Nope. I will buy a hardcopy of a book if that or hearing her speak ever again are my options.

Read this one in Print

Would you listen to Captive in Iran again? Why?

No.. I will read it in print. The narrator's pronunciation of Islamic terms is awkward at best and distracting at worst.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patty Fogarty’s performances?

If she narrates an American book, or a book where cultural teams are not required.. yes.

Any additional comments?

I tried to get into this book, but honestly had such a difficult time with the butchering of the Islamic terminology that I couldn't continue. I would be thrilled to read this book in print

A Gripping Story

Two iranian women were imprisoned for converting to Christianity, and for 'proselytizing their faith in Jesus Christ. They were sent to the most horrifying prison in Teheran, where the facilities were indescribably filthy and overcrowded. Maryam and Marzilyah were friends who met met at a Christian conference in Turkey, and struck up a friendship. They shared a flat together in Teheran, and took every opportunity to speak about their faith to others, and this drew the attention of the police.
Prison became a further opportunity to speak of their faith, and their behaviour and the kindness they showed to both fellow prisoners, and to their guards, earned them great respect. Inmates would come to them to request that they pray for them, and the faith that the ladies had in Jesus Christ became renown in the prison. in spite of constant interrogation, and the urge to compromise their story in order to be released, they refused.
By God's grace, and in response to pressure from the overseas news media - they were released after nine months. Both ladies were reluctant to leave the friends they had made in the prison, where they had shared their sorrows and their hopes for a better future. Their incarceration taught them grace that they would never have developed without those experiences. They now live in the United States

Inspirational and Uplifting

What made the experience of listening to Captive in Iran the most enjoyable?

This is a inspirational listen (read) that I believe most anyone will be deeply moved by. These two incredible women are sharing their faith in Iran when they are arrested and put into prison. This is their journey, in detail, including many stories of the other women they share their imprisonment with. They continue to share their faith inside the prison, with the other women and the guards. I loved listening and was moved to tears at points. This made me ponder about what I would do in the same situation? They could have denied their faith and been released at any point, but refused to deny Christ. I'm a Christian and felt like these women were anointed by God to share their faith with all these people. I loved listening to this but believe even those who aren't Christians will also be blessed by reading this story. This is one that I will encourage my friends and family to read or listen to. It is wonderful.

What did you like best about this story?

Jesus

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes - when these women prayed for people and had their prayers answered and when others made commitments to Christ

Great Story but

The story was great showing what life is really like in Iran but the narrator sounded too old for two young woman of 26 and the reading was bland. The story was told from two different people but nothing changed in the narration. Other than that, which is a big part of listening to books vs reading, the story was captivating, sad and triumphant on how these young woman stayed true to their Lord and Savior. Very inspirational.

Could have been much better.

Narrator Fogarty sounds like she's reading a bedtime story to a 3 year old. Also her northern accent is so strong she says "Gad" for God, and "Herd Herded" for Hard Hearted.
The story itself is terrific. May God bless these young ladies and their faith.
One more thing, there is a slight impression that their experience was actually enjoyable and that they are enjoying the celebrity from it.

A Handbook

I consider this an ideal picture of how we should carry ourselves in christian life.

Captivating

An amazing book of the struggle of two women who stayed true to their convictions irrespective of the powers that tried to oppress them.

Ehhhhh

I would prob do better reading this book. I just couldn't get into it or even finish it, the reading was very dry.

A touching and interesting book.

it would have been more interesting if the narrator had a middle eastern accent. but still I felt for those in prison unjustly around the world. I believe it helps to spark a fire in people's hearts to have more compassion and maybe even help out those in prison.

A truly amazing story of 2 incredibly brave ladies

An incredible story about life in a horrific place.
This book will make you appreciate how fortunate we are to live in the uk.
These 2 ladies are so inspirational whose faith is steadfast.
Thank you for telling your story

Unbelievable

What courage these women had and faith in Jesus. Had to imagine and believe it was true.

Propaganda

Was looking forward to this but basically a book promoting Christianity (which I am) but just a drawn out promotion pamphlet.

A story of two incredibly brave woman

Two women of God who turned opposition to opportunity for Jesus who never left them.

THE POWER OF JESUS! ACTS OF ALMIGHTY GOD TODAY!

The true authobigraphical stories in this wonderful book of our lovely faithful inspiring sisters Maryam and Marziyah and how Jesus powerfully protected them, the events leading up to their imprisonment and how our Heavenly father utilised them and they helped and discipled so many to give their lives to Jesus, prayed for so many inmates even their captors who asked them to pray for them. Their situation within Evin prison in Tehran brought many complex and interesting experiences, from political prisoners many to be executed even as teenagers to young men and women, to lesbian relationships rife within the female quarters, yet ministering Jesus, repentance and transformation to such, to crystal meth and crack cocaine addicts, prostitutes, murderers, yet the very controlling regime from following Islam through the Qur'an and sharia law and it's incredibly oppressive suppressive abusive cruel laws especially towards women that led to much of these women's crimes, for instance there is an Islamic law called Nikāḥ mut'ah, this is a sort of marriage allowed within Islam even if it's for an hour or however long the man wants to abuse and use a woman for his abberations and sexual desires, even if married with a wife which allows lustful Muslim men to justify them to have prostitutes and/or promiscuity.

Many women and men there are imprisoned unfairly and condemned from actions to protect themselves or some with mental health problems, even just being homeless and abandoned by all, having no family members, nor support, and some they could not control nor understand their actions. Yet this is also typical within many prisons nearly everywhere.

Yet Maryam and Marziyah experienced Jesus' all surpassing peace, comfort solace and Holy spirit power and shined brightly the illustrious Glorious illumination of Christ Jesus to everyone they came across, despite, torture, interrogation, inhumane horrific conditions, malnutrition and countless injustices.

The Iranian prison Evin which is notoriously worse than Alcatraz. Interestingly what Maryam and Marziyah experienced being imprisoned for loving Jesus and for being christians, also experienced the outstanding qualities and the overpowering prescence of Jesus and the helper and comforter of the Holy spirit far more effectively and powerfully in the prison, than when they went to live in the US. The miraculous events, and how our Heavenly father intervened in many of the inmates lives all for His Glory that our sisters had tirelessly prayed for, whom had been Muslims and saw God as angry, vindictictive, vengeful and revenge is the order of the day and could not begin to understand the wonders of a loving personal beautiful interpersonal and responsive relationship with their creator and father in heaven, and that they could pray to God when they wanted, and in their own language Farsi, not Arabic, as God made all languages and he will listen to prayers in any language, and wants the vulnerability of the faith of a child to approach him, not ritual or imposed laws that actually create a barrier and distance from their father in Heaven. And to comprehend Jesus' love through his sacrifice for everyone who would come to him with pure hearts. That he would not respond like the guards who would punch and kick these women in their stomachs, hit them with lead pipes, and whip the soles of their feet so they could not even stand, tortured despicably when they asked for forgiveness and to be released from completely ridiculous man made religious leaders tyranny of power and control.

It has taught me an incredible amount and even more in how to show the incredible love of Jesus and his compassion even under great duress and extreme circumstances to those who hate and despise us, Jesus' protection at times, showing his presence and signs he walks with us every moment even when we feel he is not there and how to practically demonstrate such to even those whom torture us even after many many years, and never to be defeated we can do all things through Christ Jesus whom strengthens us “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭

I encourage anyone to read this, or listen to it. It will strengthen you, and help you understand the depths of God's overwhelming personality and will imbue you with His courage no matter what satan's system imposes against God's true servants. Always sharing the Gospel of the good news of Christ Jesus no matter what where or who and always remaining faithful to our Lord and not to fear man, Goverments, the religious, laws against Almighty God and uphold Jesus' truths and His Holy writings, Holy word in all areas, in all things and commandments even if we are faced with hatred, and execution. We are to continue resisting satan and thank our Heavenly father for His mercy and kindness and our Love for him transcends any fear and to shout, share His love, His salvation from the rafters!! Amen!

To willingly follow Jesus to new life or to death.
Are you really a Christian? Jesus' anointed one?? Jesus said in Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

I would like to quote these faithful sisters words in this paragraph, because they profoundly resonate with me, and my own love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
"The path of following our Lord Jesus is never the easy way. We must follow Jesus no matter what. Our Lord Jesus puts us in very difficult extenuating circumstances and situations to test us and our faithfulness to him. When we are in fear, will you still be true to Jesus even if it kills you?!"
Jesus is my first love, I love and adore him, he is my lover, my husband my everything, and I am faithful to him, and pray always to be so. For life has NO meaning without faithfulness to Almighty God, my abba, father in Heaven, my life giver and creator.

Jesus is my first love. My priority, my primary. He is as my husband, I am under His submission, His headship, he is my shepherd, my teacher, my master, my guide, my Lord, my Love, my peace, my forgiveness, my righteousness, my deliverer, my fellowship, my example, my companion, my brother, my guardian, my security, my sufficiency, my provider, my fulfillment, my saviour, my everything.

Love and hugs!

Moving and challenging

Their account is moving and as a Christian very challenging.
Well written and well narrated.

Excellent and moving

I want to say I loved this book but I am not sure that is the correct description. I was certainly very moved by an incredible account of faithfulness to God and their love to fellow prisoners. This is a very inspiring story and the narration is superb.

AMAZING book

Loved it so Much is brilliant
The whole story side oh of it is amazing let alone the side of Jesus

Most inspiring book

The two women in this book is really inspiring the faith that they have for the in Jesus is a true blessing. I pray that anybody who listen to this book is blessed and inspired and encouraged to carry on the with Jesus.

about the story

The narrator was excellent and easy to listen to and I really enjoyed the story x