Shackled to my Family - Softcover

Younis, Samina

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1908387718 ISBN 13: 9781908387714

Publisher: Oxford eBooks Limited, 2026

Synopsis

10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION: The improved 2022 edition includes a short interview with the author bringing her life story up to date as well as the editor's reflections on the origins of this bestseller.

This is the true story of Samina Younis, born in Britain to a strict, religious Muslim family - a family that practices the tradition of forced marriage which they brought back with them from their village in Pakistan.
One of seven sisters and two brothers, she was a bitter disappointment to her parents who desperately wanted a son; as a result she suffered terrible physical and mental abuse at the hands of both her mother and father - later she was to fall victim to continued abuse from her very own siblings.
At the age of just sixteen, on a trip to Pakistan Samina was told that she must marry her second cousin, a boy she had met only once in her life.
The writing of this book was Samina's only way of coming to terms with the life that she had been forced into, the mental conflict over her enduring love for a mother, now dead, who even on her deathbed was compelled to dominate and control her future.

The book recounts in an honest, unvarnished style, her struggle against her family and her dramatic escape to a life of her own.

The publishers and author want to thank the thousands of people who have already read this book and made it such a success in raising awareness of cruel and archaic practices forced on women and men around the world.

About this title

About the Author

Samina Younis was born and raised in England. She is a budding model and actress and has her own cosmetics boutique. She is a first time writer and began writing this book as a therapy for herself to overcome her tragic past. She felt she had to tell her true story to inspire other women to break free from their family controlled lives. She has a passion for helping other people who may be in the same situation as she once was and she would like to inspire other women to follow their heart. On a typical day you may find her working out at her local gymnasium. She enjoys travelling, reading and going to the cinema. She loves Italian food, eating doughnuts, baking, cooking and belly laughter.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford eBooks Limited
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1908387718
• ISBN 13: 9781908387714
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196