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Once I Was a Princess
Can you imagine what it would be like to be swept off your feet by a royal prince to live a charmed life in the marble palaces of an oil-rich nation - and then to watch your fairy-tale romance turn into a nightmare of Islamic superstition, isolation, betrayal and abuse? What would you do if you managed to escape your life of torment - and then your children were kidnapped by their own father? This is what happened to Jacqueline Pascarl.
In Once I Was a Princess , Jacqueline recounts her part in this controversial, headline-grabbing international drama with heart-rending honesty.
In Once I Was a Princess , Jacqueline recounts her part in this controversial, headline-grabbing international drama with heart-rending honesty.
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First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 17, 2019
4 Stars = Outstanding. It definitely held my interest.
July 29, 2018
Il più bello dei sogni che si trasforma nel più atroce degli incubi.
Jacqueline ha, sì, sposato un principe bello, ricco ed affascinante, ma, al contrario di ciò che avviene nelle favole, questo non ha segnato per lei l'inizio di una vita in cui tutti vissero felici e contenti. Divenuta principessa, Jacqueline viene privata del suo nome, della sua identità, delle sue libertà e diventa "del" marito, esattamente come una qualunque proprietà.
Una storia drammatica che dimostra come la realtà possa di gran lunga superare la fantasia.
Dal punto di vista stilistico, si tratta di un racconto autobiografico, quindi estremamente concreto e senza grandi espedienti narrativi: la prosa è funzionale alla narrazione, che deve essere ben comprensibile dal lettore.
Jacqueline ha, sì, sposato un principe bello, ricco ed affascinante, ma, al contrario di ciò che avviene nelle favole, questo non ha segnato per lei l'inizio di una vita in cui tutti vissero felici e contenti. Divenuta principessa, Jacqueline viene privata del suo nome, della sua identità, delle sue libertà e diventa "del" marito, esattamente come una qualunque proprietà.
Una storia drammatica che dimostra come la realtà possa di gran lunga superare la fantasia.
Dal punto di vista stilistico, si tratta di un racconto autobiografico, quindi estremamente concreto e senza grandi espedienti narrativi: la prosa è funzionale alla narrazione, che deve essere ben comprensibile dal lettore.
April 27, 2011
I was given a copy of this book from a lady whose static caravan we nearly bought in 2008/9 Not something I would normally read but I had nothing else at the time so thought it was worth a go. VERY good. VERY moving & boy do you need some tissues. After I read it all I wanted to do was go help! Shocking to know its real.
November 19, 2017
This is the true story of Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie. She did not have a happy childhood and was neglected and abused. When a Malaysian prince (who was studying in Australia) swept her off her feet and subsequently married her in 1981, Jacqueline thought she was living her dream. It quickly turned into a nightmare as Bahrin physically and mentally abused her once they got back to Malaysia. Two children were born, Iddin in 1983 and Shahirah in 1986.
Jacqueline managed to get back to Australia with her 2 children to visit with her Nanna (with Bahrin's permission) and once there filed for divorce. Jacqueline had custody with visitation by Bahrin encouraged and allowed.
In 1990 the children were kidnapped by Bahrin and taken to Malaysia to be raised there. A whole new culture for both children, a culture in which girls and women do not fare very well. Jacqueline was very worried and heart-broken, and the Australian government did not do much to help her get the children back.
Jacqueline subsequently made a documentary, "Empty Arms-Broken Hearts", was involved with mothers and fathers trying to get their kidnapped children back, went to Africa where she found some semblance of peace again, was very involved with Book Power, founded "Operation Angel" and was an ambassador for World Vision.
Jacqueline did not see her children again until 2006.
Jacqueline managed to get back to Australia with her 2 children to visit with her Nanna (with Bahrin's permission) and once there filed for divorce. Jacqueline had custody with visitation by Bahrin encouraged and allowed.
In 1990 the children were kidnapped by Bahrin and taken to Malaysia to be raised there. A whole new culture for both children, a culture in which girls and women do not fare very well. Jacqueline was very worried and heart-broken, and the Australian government did not do much to help her get the children back.
Jacqueline subsequently made a documentary, "Empty Arms-Broken Hearts", was involved with mothers and fathers trying to get their kidnapped children back, went to Africa where she found some semblance of peace again, was very involved with Book Power, founded "Operation Angel" and was an ambassador for World Vision.
Jacqueline did not see her children again until 2006.
July 6, 2008
My daughter is in Australia and I visit her every two years with a stopover in Malaysia going and coming back and have done this for the past 12 years. So I was interested to read this book to see what life was like as a member of their royal family.
The Royal family are certainly revered there and there are posters/pictures of them all over. It is a poor country and there are ceratinly wide divisions between the poor and the well off and it is obvious that tourists are treated differently. However, husband and I have eaten in the food courts in the markets and in out of the way little villages and have had delicious meals with no sign of stomach upsets, so I don't think the food preparation is quite as bad as painted in this book. However, they are a predominately Muslim country and even in the expensive hotels the "bacon" is beef.
This book certainly gives an insight into the lives of Muslim women the world over.I was appalled to discover that female circumcision still takes place there and think this is a barbaric practice. Although this is a sad story, Jacqueline has fought back and now helps others to find their abducted children as well as helping children in war-torn countries. A very interesting read.
The Royal family are certainly revered there and there are posters/pictures of them all over. It is a poor country and there are ceratinly wide divisions between the poor and the well off and it is obvious that tourists are treated differently. However, husband and I have eaten in the food courts in the markets and in out of the way little villages and have had delicious meals with no sign of stomach upsets, so I don't think the food preparation is quite as bad as painted in this book. However, they are a predominately Muslim country and even in the expensive hotels the "bacon" is beef.
This book certainly gives an insight into the lives of Muslim women the world over.I was appalled to discover that female circumcision still takes place there and think this is a barbaric practice. Although this is a sad story, Jacqueline has fought back and now helps others to find their abducted children as well as helping children in war-torn countries. A very interesting read.
March 5, 2016
This is a very moving drama of the true story of a young Australian student who marries a Malaysian student whom is also a member of Malaysian royalty. Following their divorce, he is allowed overnight access in Melbourne with their two children - he abducts them which due to red tape is not immediately known and due largely to political reasons, he is not seized in Indonesia and he arrives back in Malaysia with them where because of Islamic law, his royal status, political considerations and differing laws, he is able to keep them from ANY contact at all with their Mother. Her anguish, frustration with the Australian Federal Police and Government is immeasurable, but she never stops battling to regain the care and parenting of her children. A must read, which is an easy read and very gripping story partly because she is a journalist but also because readers will identify the Mother-heart - that unique bond that most women will have for their children throughout their lives, not broken by time or distance or circumstances.
January 27, 2015
WOW! This is one amazing true life story!
Jacqueline takes you through her childhood full of abuse, into her teen years of peace, and then into a nightmare marriage to a Malaysian prince who abused her both physically and mentally.
There is so much to this book that I could go on and on and on... All I can say is this is not a book to passed by if you like to read good books!
Jacqueline also has a youtube page where she posted an interview about the book!
Jacqueline takes you through her childhood full of abuse, into her teen years of peace, and then into a nightmare marriage to a Malaysian prince who abused her both physically and mentally.
There is so much to this book that I could go on and on and on... All I can say is this is not a book to passed by if you like to read good books!
Jacqueline also has a youtube page where she posted an interview about the book!
September 13, 2012
Easily the best book I've ever read! Well written, heart wrenching and inspirational. A book that must be read!!
May 30, 2018
What a sad but moving story, it broke my heart reading this. Jacqueline is a strong,courageous and inspirational woman.
January 19, 2025
This is a hard one to review. The story is really sad and I am glad that she now has contact with her children who have grown up.
This was a really high profile case and one I remember from when I was younger. Definitely worth a read.
This was a really high profile case and one I remember from when I was younger. Definitely worth a read.
January 27, 2017
O poveste de viata, cosmarul unei mame, o lume necunoscuta multora dintre noi.
"Candva am fost printesa" este povestea adevarata a Jacquelinei Pascarl, o tanara din Australia . Avand o copilarie nefericita, fiind crescuta de o mama autoritara, indiferenta si cu probleme pshicie, Jacqueine se indragosteste la 17 ani de pun print malaysian, Bahrain, si orbita fiind de iubire, decide sa se casatoreasaca cu acesta si sa se mute in Malaysia. In noua ei tara si in noul ei camin, ii este foarte greu sa se adapteze, mai ales cu viata si cu obiceiurile oamenilor si femeilor de aici, dar si cu comportamentul sotului ei care nu este nici pe departe asa cum l-a cunoscut, din contra este abuzata atat fizic cat si psihic de el si amenintata mereu ca o poate lasa oricand fara cei doi copii ai lor. Intr-un final, Jacqueline reuseste sa se intoarca in Australia si dupa ani de asteptare si o lupta grea in instanta reuseste sa capete custodia celor doi copii, insa desi petrec cativa ani fericiti, acesta fericire este din nou curmata de Bahrain care ii rapeste copii.
Este un roman naucitor, revoltator si plin de durere, o poveste de viata foarte trista, un cosmar pe care il traieste aceasta femeie.
Cartea are si o continuare "Since i was a princess" , dar din pacate nu este inca tradusa in limba romana.
Aceasta poveste trebuie sa fie aflata de intreaga lume si impartasita!
"Candva am fost printesa" este povestea adevarata a Jacquelinei Pascarl, o tanara din Australia . Avand o copilarie nefericita, fiind crescuta de o mama autoritara, indiferenta si cu probleme pshicie, Jacqueine se indragosteste la 17 ani de pun print malaysian, Bahrain, si orbita fiind de iubire, decide sa se casatoreasaca cu acesta si sa se mute in Malaysia. In noua ei tara si in noul ei camin, ii este foarte greu sa se adapteze, mai ales cu viata si cu obiceiurile oamenilor si femeilor de aici, dar si cu comportamentul sotului ei care nu este nici pe departe asa cum l-a cunoscut, din contra este abuzata atat fizic cat si psihic de el si amenintata mereu ca o poate lasa oricand fara cei doi copii ai lor. Intr-un final, Jacqueline reuseste sa se intoarca in Australia si dupa ani de asteptare si o lupta grea in instanta reuseste sa capete custodia celor doi copii, insa desi petrec cativa ani fericiti, acesta fericire este din nou curmata de Bahrain care ii rapeste copii.
Este un roman naucitor, revoltator si plin de durere, o poveste de viata foarte trista, un cosmar pe care il traieste aceasta femeie.
Cartea are si o continuare "Since i was a princess" , dar din pacate nu este inca tradusa in limba romana.
Aceasta poveste trebuie sa fie aflata de intreaga lume si impartasita!
August 14, 2009
This book overall is very well-written. I couldn't put it down until the children were kidnapped by their father. Once they are taken, the book becomes extremely laborious to read. Though we understand the suffering of the loss of two children (although they hadn't technically died), the book takes a monotonous turn. It would have been better if a few pages were devoted to discussing the extreme loss and a few pages devoted to the politics of trying to get them back. Instead, the book took a long, painstaking turn, and it seemed to take forever to end. It would have also been nice to hear more about her husband and how he suffered through this ordeal. But this is a very sad story and one well-worth reading about. I would have given it a 4-star rating if not for the issues mentioned.
June 20, 2009
This is truly a touching story of love and courage, strenght and pain that truly shows a mother's love for her children, it grips at your heart and you feel all the pain she felt, will keep you on the edge of your seat,for all she has been through I salute her and I hope one day she will be reunited with her kids, I really do hope so.
June 26, 2013
Read this book! This is a fantastic book that captures the dream turned nightmare experience of the author and the kidnapping of her two children by their father, played out in the backdrop of Malaysian royalty and Islamic teachings. This tells the story of one woman's journey of courage and strength against the greatest adversity in the world, the loss of ones children.
October 17, 2016
Fascinating and sad, but there is a happy ending as Pascarl was recently reunited with her children.
Especially interesting as an insight into the luxurious boredom and confinement in the closed off lives of wealthy muslim women or indeed of any royalty, especially of the past. The media don't come well out of this.
Especially interesting as an insight into the luxurious boredom and confinement in the closed off lives of wealthy muslim women or indeed of any royalty, especially of the past. The media don't come well out of this.
January 31, 2014
What i liket in this book was that aldoght she sufferd alot she still hade the power to be somhow objective in writing . And at least in the romanian translation you could have found some information on organisations who could help in problems with stolen kids
August 12, 2018
This storyline makes you yearn for her kids so much! Can't believe this is a true story. I wonder if they're all safe and happy now.
September 10, 2018
Omg r u kiddin me, i love real stories but this was terrifiing
November 15, 2024
Þetta er mjög áhrifarík lesning þar sem höfundurinn er að lýsa eigin reynslu sem því miður er ekkert einsdæmi. Hún er sjálf kristinnar trúar sem kynnist og giftist manni sem er múslimi. Þau eignast tvö börn sem verða bitbein milli þeirra í stormasömu hjónabandi.
Í bókinni lýsir hún á átakanlegan hátt hvernig henni farnast í baráttu sinni um forræði barnanna milli þeirra. Maður verður á köflum reiður yfir því hvernig farið er með hana og hvernig hún er hreinlega niðurlægð í hjónabandinu.
Mæli eindregið með þessari bók. Hún fær klárlega fjórar stjörnur fyrir bókina sem slíka og fimmtu stjörnuna fyrir baráttu hennar við ofurefli og síðan fyrir hennar feril á sviði mannúðarmála á alþjóðavettvangi.
Í bókinni lýsir hún á átakanlegan hátt hvernig henni farnast í baráttu sinni um forræði barnanna milli þeirra. Maður verður á köflum reiður yfir því hvernig farið er með hana og hvernig hún er hreinlega niðurlægð í hjónabandinu.
Mæli eindregið með þessari bók. Hún fær klárlega fjórar stjörnur fyrir bókina sem slíka og fimmtu stjörnuna fyrir baráttu hennar við ofurefli og síðan fyrir hennar feril á sviði mannúðarmála á alþjóðavettvangi.
August 29, 2021
Aceasta este povestea modului în care mi-a fost prezentată religia islamică şi a felului în care am asimilat-o într-o anumită familie regală, a unei anumite naţiuni şi într- un anumit moment. Nu este menită a fi o acuzare a islamului şi nici nu arată cu degetul, la grămadă, spre musulmani. Cred
că toate religiile sunt, în esenţă, bune. Răul vine odată cu interpretările şi prejudecăţile inculcate de indivizii cu talente în manipularea politică şi sociologică.
că toate religiile sunt, în esenţă, bune. Răul vine odată cu interpretările şi prejudecăţile inculcate de indivizii cu talente în manipularea politică şi sociologică.
March 14, 2025
I don't read much biography, and despite its overdone style, I stayed up late reading it to find out what happened. I'm surprised the author is touring for the Listener Women's Book Festival, given the ordeals she has been through with the media, but I guess she'll do anything to get her abducted children back from their violent rapist father who has threatened to have clitorodectomy performed on their daughter.
July 17, 2025
Líbí se mi, že kniha byla podrobná a začínala mnoho let předtím, než byly děti uneseny. Díky tomu si čtenář mohl udělat vlastní názor na další osoby. Myslím, že kdyby kniha začala až v okamžiku únosu dětí, kniha by byla vnímána jako pomsta ex manželovi. Odnáším si poučení a širší rozhled v oblasti práv dětí. Velmi mě obohatila, i když byla zdlouhavá.
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March 6, 2021This was a book chosen for our book club certainly thought provoking I think you read it forgetting it’s not a novel, but a true story very hard to imagine living such a horrific life with no real friends around you. I’m in need of some questions on the book for my club
March 15, 2021
O carte care chiar descrie cosmarul fetelor ce se incred în persoanele din alte tari și pleaca cu ele,chiar și căsătorite fiind. Mi-a plăcut foarte mult și o recomand!
January 24, 2024
What Pascarl has gone through is extraordinary, bizarre. And she herself, an extraordinarily strong and courageous woman. The account itself was forgettable though, for its plain juvenile prose, and excessive details of superficial "basic" aspects of her experience (e.g. the fancy bejeweled clothes she wore as a Malay bride). Merits of the memoir are her explorations of various relationships she had within the courts, indeed her abusive husband, but more interestingly, the other women of court, all of whom are equally oppressed in their own ways. It provided sound insight into palace life of Malay women, as birds trapped within golden cages. Her account of the children's kidnap and the whirlwind of emotions she experienced was fascinating. All in all, the book was intriguing enough for me to read the follow up memoir. It is a story of the exploitation and high-end human trafficking, over a vulnerable teenaged girl from a dysfunctional home, by a slimy low-end royalty.
August 17, 2021
This is yet another book i judged by the cover and got lucky. I don't think i put it down actually, i recall being scolded by my grandfather for being unsocial lol. He legit banned me from reading when I'd visit him and my nan. That's how obsessively i read this book. It left me so sad and depressed at the end that i did not want to wait to read the sequel and so i searched the fan group on a social media platform to ask them to tell me if everything turned out alright in the end. To my surprise it wasn't a fan group, but the actual authors personal account, to which she added me as a friend and i just died of happiness. I got to find out through her status messages and pictures that everything indeed turned out alright, albeit not the ending i had wished for her. Amazing read. Amazing. Highly recommend it.
July 1, 2024
One of the genre of books written by women-who-married-men-from-another-culture, things-were-great-initially, but-then-went-horribly-wrong. Another view of Malaysia, (Trengganu, anyway) from that usually seen.
March 30, 2008
Heartbreaking story but too dragged out and detail oriented. It could have been successfully written in half the pages.
January 20, 2010
This was a long and to me sad book, I found it a bit hard to finish due to knowing the outcome. I really feel for her and her children.
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August 30, 2010Click here to find in the catalogue
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews