Reviews

The Dressmaker Of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

emurph09's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.0

drusmilford's review against another edition

5.0

True story about Kamila Sidiqi who rose to meet and surpass life's challenges in most difficult circumstances. When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, she supported her family by creating a business which grew to teach, train, and support many women and men. Wonderful story.

hippokly's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75

this book is very good and the story is very inspiring. the writing got a little repetitive at times, but other than that i really liked the book

mcquaden's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

This book was incredible - I am really interested in stories that are not usually told, especially those that highlight women. This story was an incredible read. I absolutely loved learning about Kamila and her sisters in their strength, tenacity, and determination to survive under Taliban rule. It was a truly inspiring read, and one that I hope more people (specifically Western people) read. Western societies need to learn more about societies that differ from ours, specifically the Middle East, so that we can stop having so many incorrect notions about them and their culture. 

Also people in general need to realize that women of all ages, ethnicities, and means are smart, driven, and talented in various ways - and they should be taken seriously as people, not discarded because of their gender

drrock's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Narrative is a bit clichéd (in places feels likes it’s written for a school project) and it ends suddenly but is an inspiring story. 

aubrey_the_explorer's review against another edition

5.0

This is a truly amazing story. I loved how it focused on the strength of women in rough times, as well as finding peace in your family, country, and purpose. This book has given me a new perspective on the life of women in Afghanistan.

sallyavena's review against another edition

4.0

I found this an insightful book into the role of one young women's courage and survival during the Taliban period of Afghanistan. While I admire the author's thoroughness and research, I felt that it was written more on the middle school level. It was well, but simply written, using an imagined conversation style that I don't think conveyed the depth of what was felt.

lanid's review against another edition

inspiring tense

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and War

emerygirl's review against another edition

I love reading books where I don’t know a lot about the history or culture so I can learn. This book taught me a lot about the Taliban and Afghanistan. It made me really sad to realize these women are probably back to where they began because of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. I hope not. I am so glad I live in America and have my freedoms!

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

Author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon was interested in the lives of women and entrepreneurs in countries at war. When she found Kamila in Kabul during the time when the Taliban were in control, she found her story. Kamila's parents believed in education for both boys and girls so Kamila graduated from high school and was planning on college just as the Taliban were taking control. Her parents and older brother had to flee the city. Kamila was left in charge of a younger brother and three younger sisters. In order to survive, she started a dressmaking business. She had never sewn or marketed anything before but three years later, she was employing 100 girls and women, all under strict Taliban rules. Her business saved many families from starvation. She has since started two other companies. Kamila's story is very inspiring. The author's writing style leaves some room for improvement. The book ends very abruptly - almost as if the writer had to meet a deadline and just stopped.