Alienation: My Life in Saudi Arabia and America | 2012

by Asim Altokhais

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Alienation is the story of an Arabian-American boy who dared to find his place in the world.

Asim Altokhais was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1981 but he grew up in the United States. In 1988, Asim returned to Arabia where very soon—at just fourteen years old— he found himself fighting for freedom and his rights as a human being and a citizen. In this poignant memoir, he shares his experiences, observations, struggles and triumphs while providing a rare and intimate glimpse into what it is like to live in Saudi Arabia. Follow his odyssey and discover, as he did, the quintessence of identity, faith, family and patriotism.

iUniverse Overview:

For as long as he can remember, Arabian American Asim Altokhais has been instructed to never express his feelings or ideas to anyone—ever. Raised as an American until age eight, when he relocated with his parents to his home country of Arabia, Asim struggled to learn about a new culture where regulations robbed him of everything, including the ability to speak his mind. For the first time in his life, Asim felt alienated from everything, everyone, and even himself.

With the intent of teaching others about the vast differences between America and the Middle East, Abraham shares the poignant story of his life as he travels between the free United States and Saudi Arabia, where life seemed to become more complicated and darker with each passing year. As he embarked on a coming-of-age journey between the two countries, Abraham details how he witnesses the impact of the Gulf War, views the thin line between dreams and reality, and manages to find his path in life despite enduring years of suffering, low self esteem, and imprisonment of his ideas.

Alienation not only offers one man’s compelling glimpse into life in the Middle East, but also shares his important message for both worlds about acceptance, love, and peace.