Captive in Iran - Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

Published by Tyndale Momentum/Tyndale Oublishing House: Carol Stream, Illinois, 2013.

Over the years I have read a number of biographies of Christians living under persecution. Some, like The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun or The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom are able to describe horrific situations, including torture, which still being uplifting. Others, like Eyes of the Tailless Animals by Lee Soon-ok, lean so far into the unpleasantness of the situation that they become difficult to read, even while still sharing important stories. 

Captive in Iran is another story of living under persecution, and it is not a spoiler to say that the authors recount their time in prison in Iran - after all, it's right there in the title! However, whether through God's grace or through trying to avoid offending the readers' sensibilities (or some other reason?) the authors do something I haven't seen before - they make their suffering in prison not really 'as intense' as I would have expected it to be (and potentially, as it really was?).

Don't get me wrong, the two authors tell of poor living conditions, unhealthy food, guards who persecute them and doctors who medically neglect them... none of these things would be easy to go through! But... when other stories - and even other individuals within their own book - are facing actual torture and execution, Rostampour and Amirizadeh both seem to have had it quite easy, comparatively.

But again, this might be more a reflection on the grace of God towards the two friends - the prospect of torture and execution hangs over them throughout the book, and they seem very ready to face it if needed. They just don't have it happen to them! Rather, person by person, they win over those around them, whether fellow prisoner, guard, or even political official. Slowly, the majority of those who have been persecuting them or ridiculing them come to appreciate them in some way, and even become more sympathetic to their plight.

So... if the book isn't about facing actual torture, what is it about?

Witnessing!

The authors share that, because of the restrictions on evangelism in Iran, they actually found themselves more free to witness behind bars than they had out in public. The stories are hopeful, as those surrounding the two women come to understand how Jesus has the power to change lives, with many of their fellow prisoners coming to faith because of their efforts.

And I guess that's the most surprising thing for me, when I think about it. I didn't expect a book called Captive in Iran to feel so hopeful, considering the setting, and the tragic stories that it contains.

Interesting.

Completed 21st October 2026.

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