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The Mother Wound

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The Mother Wound

By: Amani Haydar
Narrated by: Amani Haydar
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About this listen

'I am from a family of strong women.'

Amani Haydar suffered the unimaginable when she lost her mother in a brutal act of domestic violence perpetrated by her father. Five months pregnant at the time, her own perception of how she wanted to mother (and how she had been mothered) was shaped by this devastating murder.

After her mother's death, Amani began reassessing everything she knew of her parents' relationship. They had been unhappy for so long - should she have known that it would end like this? A lawyer by profession, she also saw the holes in the justice system for addressing and combating emotional abuse and coercive control.

Amani also had to reckon with the weight of familial and cultural context. Her parents were brought together in an arranged marriage, her mother thirteen years her father's junior. Her grandmother was brutally killed in the 2006 war in Lebanon, adding complex layers of intergenerational trauma.

Writing with grace and beauty, Amani has drawn from this a story of female resilience and the role of motherhood in the home and in the world. In The Mother Wound, she uses her own strength to help other survivors find their voices.

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY AWARD 2022 MICHAEL CROUCH AWARD FOR A DEBUT WORK

WINNER OF THE VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARD FOR NON-FICTION 2022

WINNER OF THE MATT RICHELL AWARD FOR NEW WRITER OF THE YEAR 2022

WINNER OF THE 2021 SYDNEY MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE (SMAC) AWARDS

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR 2022

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS THE DOUGLAS STEWART PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2022

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS THE MULTICULTURAL NSW AWARD 2022

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST TRUE CRIME 2022

SHORTLISTED FOR THE QUEENSLAND LITERARY AWARDS 2022 NON-FICTION BOOK AWARD

LONGLISTED FOR THE WALKLEY BOOK AWARD 2021

©2021 Amani Haydar (P)2021 Macmillan Audio Abuse Domestic Partner Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Islamic Heritage Parenting & Families Relationships Women Emotionally Gripping Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Nonfiction Inspiring

Critic Reviews

"A magnificent and devastating work of art. There is a raging anger here, and a deep sorrow, but at the core Haydar gives us truths about love. This is one of the most important books I've ever read." (Bri Lee)

"Shattering, unforgettable, beautifully told." (Randa Abdel-Fattah)

"Gripping, transcendent, tender and, at times, infuriating. With a daughter's heart and a lawyer's mind, Amani Haydar maps the territory that connects the wars we fight abroad to the wars we endure in our homes." (Jess Hill)
All stars
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Thank you for being so strong and vulnerable sharing your story, I cried, I laughed and even reflected on my own family’s history on domestic violence. Hearing your own voice through this audio made it so much for authentic and effective. I hope that there are many changes within our society and government that hopefully prevent tragic events like these happening again. Thank you again for sharing your story.

Tragic yet beautiful account of Amani’s Story

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Amani has written a deeply felt memoir of love and loss in tragic, violent circumstances. She addresses the root causes of domestic abuse. She provides warnings for others. Amani’s story should be essential reading for men and women. Yet Amani tells her story with deep love for her family and hope for her future. I hope her future is brighter and truly blessed

Written a and spoken from the heart

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What a brilliant piece of work. So honest and raw. A story that shares the heart break and experience many people can relate too.

Amazing!

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I feel honoured to have been able to listen to the author's story. A powerfully presented memoir and one I will think about for a long time and remember always.

Powerful, empowering, and important

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this book was an insightful listen it covered topics of feminism more domestic violence trauma and overall a story displaying resilience.

amazing work

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A brave, honest, compassionate, and enlightening telling of experiences we are too quick to choose to ignore.

Brave, Bold

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Everyone studying Social Work needs to read this book. After Amani spoke in 2020 at my uni - Western Sydney University about her experience, I knew I wanted to read her book. After studying Family Violence, there is no textbook that comes close to hearing Amani’s story. I feel inspired and privileged to have heard her voice tell her Mothers story, it’s something I will reference and reflect on for some time. Her story is complex, from a court case that had me on the edge of my seat, to the dynamics of culture, gender and family. Amani’s story at its core is about her Mother and Grandmother’s legacy and how she will preserve that through celebrating their lives. While not shying away from the reality of a brutal murder that left her without her Mother. A Mother’s Wound is an extremely eloquent story of Family Violence’s intersectionality and the complex wounds it leaves.

A raw perspective of Family Violence

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It brought tears to my eyes. Such a touching story. Society needs to be more proactive in combating the issue of domestic violence. It takes strength to talk about it and to actually leave an abusive relationship. I could relate to it as I left an abusive marriage. It does take its toll on one's health. The perbertrator is left scot free. Sorry is not a word in their vocabulary as that requires introspection into one's actions. A very sad story but an empowering author who is contributing immensely to commence change. This will take a long time but it needs to start now for our future generations to be empowered.

The raw emotion and the facts.

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Without question the best book I have ever read.
I listened on audible and then purchased the book. Everyone should own a copy.
Amani is an incredible, amazing and inspirational women. What a story, I ll never forget it x

The mother wound

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Exceeded my expectations, could not put this one down from start to finish. So beautifully written and such a wonderful tribute to Amanis mother and strong women in her life. Loved it!

Beautifully written

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