Shackled: A Journey from Political Imprisonment to Freedom

By: Adam Siddiq

Narrated by: Adam Siddiq

Shackled has been honored as one of Shelf Media Group's Notable 100 books of 2019, the Biography winner of the 2019 Independent Press Award, 2018 Global E-Book Awards, 2018 International Book Awards, 2019 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, 2018 Audiobook & Biography Awards Winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2018 Grand Prize Winner of TCK Reader's Choice Awards, 2018 Book Life Prize Biography Winner, and multiple more, summing up a total of 15 awards.

Khaled Siddiq "Charkhi" is only six years old when he and his entire extended family are imprisoned. Following a grand betrayal, Khaled's father and uncles, the respected right-hand men to the king of Afghanistan, become targets of the new regime. Khaled's father is exiled, his uncles are executed, and their families are locked away in a forgotten corner of Kabul.

So begins a decades-long struggle in captivity where Khaled faces the hardship of prison life while enduring tragedies as more of his loved ones are executed and succumb to diseases. Despite the tribulations he experiences, Khaled never gives up hope, choosing to make the most of his time by studying five different languages, advanced literature, and philosophy. Eventually, Khaled and his family are released from prison, but are they truly free? Forbidden from leaving the country, one thing continues to haunt Khaled: a longing to reunite with his father.

Shackled is a raw, heart-opening story about resilience. It follows the Charkhi family from the 1932 coup to the 1979 Soviet invasion. Amid national and personal upheaval, Khaled finds his freedom by choosing to lead a life of optimism, kindness, joy, and love.

Adam Siddiq is the grandson of Khaled Siddiq. Adam wrote Shackled alongside his grandfather, Khaled - a shared journey they hope will inspire others to become more involved in the sacred bond between the youth and their elders.

Editorial reviews:

"The story, told in precise but moving prose, is often achingly beautiful - a stirring mix of sadness and inspiring triumph. Along the way, Siddiq limns an astute history of the country of Afghanistan that focuses on 40 of its most turbulent and formative years.... It all combines to create an intensely personal memoir whose political and moral dimensions have universal relevance and appeal. A stirring recollection and an insightful national history." (Kirkus Reviews)

"This wonderfully told and smartly written story of family, hope and love never flinches from the cruelty that humans endure. Yet, the underlying theme of hope, of persistence, of simply carrying on and finding good within the bad, underscores the simple human desire to live free. Shackled: A Journey from Political Imprisonment to Freedom inspires and reminds the world that even in darkness there is light to be found." (Greg Rideout for IndieReader)

"Shackled: A Journey From Political Imprisonment to Freedom, is a powerful true story of one man's life in Afghanistan filled with raw emotion that is an inspiring must-read for all humankind." (Lynette Latzko for Feathered Quill)

About the Author

Adam Siddiq is the grandson of Khaled Siddiq. Adam wrote Shackled alongside his grandfather, Khaled - a shared journey they hope will inspire others to become more involved in the sacred bond between the youth and their elders.

©2017 Lineage Publishing, Inc. (P)2017 Lineage Publishing, Inc.

Growing up and learning in prison in Afghanistan

Adam Siddiq captures the memories of his grandfather, Khaled Siddiq, who was sent at the age of 6 to a prison with his mother and siblings along with aunts and cousins in 1932 following the overthrow of the King of Afghanistan. The story includes the tale of the education of the children in this large family unit, the execution and murder of the males in the family, some insight to the father that was exiled in Germany for 30+ years, how as the boys grew older they were removed from the care of mothers and sisters and sent to the men's prison and shackled. Even when there was a change in the government and the men and family were released and allowed to support their families, there was still a form of "arrest" that would limit travel. The book offers an interesting perspective and history of Afghanistan and the tie to Germany that eventually allowed Khaled Siddiq and his own wife and children to escape in the late 1970s just as Russia was influencing a new communistic government.

I strongly recommend this book. I appreciate that the author narrates the book to pronounce the words as his grandfather might and explains the terms. The narration may seem slow to some other listeners, I thought the pace was acceptable for the accent that comes when someone speaks other languages.

This might be a good book for students to consider or a teacher to suggest.