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lanid's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
4.5
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.
zoot's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellent non-fiction by this author, I've read two of hers this year. I love the way she writes her non-fictions because they read more like novels than history books which is great if you struggle with history book type non-fictions like I do! This was a great learning experience as well as a humanizing experience because this non-fiction puts real stories into the context of events that have happened in my adulthood. It's so easy to hear news stories and distance yourself from them, but this books is another one that reminds you the real people who are living behind the headlines.
meme_too2's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book about bravery and ingenuity. I'm not sure how girls could learn how to sew beautiful dresses so quickly, but I loved seeing how these women succeeded in a bad situation.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, almost 4. Good book. I thought my sister had read this and that was where I found out about it, but apparently no one on my friend's list have read this one. I'm a pioneer, as per usual. Not sure why there are a lot of Haters out there against this book.
I liked learning more about the history of Afghanistan.
It's wild to think how people try to carry on with life despite how crazy their life is over there.
So if Kamala didn't know how to sew, how did she learn to make dresses so well?
That's funny the Titanic fever that swept that part of the world.
I liked learning more about the history of Afghanistan.
It's wild to think how people try to carry on with life despite how crazy their life is over there.
So if Kamala didn't know how to sew, how did she learn to make dresses so well?
That's funny the Titanic fever that swept that part of the world.
thisfeministrox's review against another edition
3.0
Women continue to rock throughout the world in good times and in bad.
mixiee's review against another edition
2.0
While the story is interesting, this book is badly written and edited. People pop up in situations or conversations without being mentioned before. There are so many inconsistencies, that on quite a few occasions I went back, to see if I had missed something or misinterpreted. Unfortunately it wasn't me.
It is also very superficial. At the end reading the acknwoledgements that really annoyed me. I felt that if the author had done that much reasearch, talked for hours too that many people, she should have been able to produce a book with a lot more depth. It now felt more like an article for a magazine or the Sunday newspaper.
It still gets a two star rating from me but that is mainly based on the topic.
It is also very superficial. At the end reading the acknwoledgements that really annoyed me. I felt that if the author had done that much reasearch, talked for hours too that many people, she should have been able to produce a book with a lot more depth. It now felt more like an article for a magazine or the Sunday newspaper.
It still gets a two star rating from me but that is mainly based on the topic.
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
3.0
I have sometimes said over the years, "I couldn't sew to save my life." Kamila does just that, but not only her own life but countless others. I'm so glad her story has been told. As I read this from the comfort of my American home, with every need met, and in utter ignorance about much of the world, I did wonder about the Taliban take-over. I don't mean this as criticism of this family, but why were people fleeing the country and not trying to form or join the resistance? Is it a cultural difference or are folks tired of war? It just seemed odd to me how everyone seemed to acquiesce to the Taliban. Anyway, I wish the Afghanis well, and hope the efforts of Kamila and women like her will bring a lasting change to her country.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Back in 2005, author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon took a trip to Afghanistan as part of her work. Mrs. Tzemach Lemmon returned to Afghanistan in 2006, when she heard about the women there earning money after the Taliban take over. Mrs. Tzemach Lemmon was writing for the Financial Times. Gayle knew she needed to learn more about these women and what they endured with the Taliban.
This is the story of Khair Khana and sisters. Before the Taliban came, Afghanistan was a little more liberal in the fact women were allowed to not wear the custom chadri (head pieces), in fact they could wear what they wanted and even get an education degree. This is exactly what Khair Khana did. She graduated with a certificate in teaching. Unfortunately, before Khair Khana can put her certificate to good use, the Taliban come and tell everyone that women are to stay at home and always wear a chadri. Khair Khana knew that she needed to do something to help with an income for her family. She took up sewing and making clothing.
This book is a nonfiction novel. While it is based around true events, some parts are briefly glossed over by the author. This is because out of respect of the women, which I can appreciate. While, I did like learning about Khair Khana, her sisters and the other women in Afghanistan and the fact that they turned a lemon into lemonade as the saying goes. I didn’t experience a strong connection with Khair Khana. I don’t know if this party had to do with the fact that it seemed like this book was missing some of the gaps due to the fact that it seemed the author held back on wanting to give too much detail. Though, I can not imagine what it must be like to have a group like the Taliban come and take over and tell you that your freedom has been taken away and you must stay in your home. I had some mixed feelings about this book but overall, it was pretty good.
This is the story of Khair Khana and sisters. Before the Taliban came, Afghanistan was a little more liberal in the fact women were allowed to not wear the custom chadri (head pieces), in fact they could wear what they wanted and even get an education degree. This is exactly what Khair Khana did. She graduated with a certificate in teaching. Unfortunately, before Khair Khana can put her certificate to good use, the Taliban come and tell everyone that women are to stay at home and always wear a chadri. Khair Khana knew that she needed to do something to help with an income for her family. She took up sewing and making clothing.
This book is a nonfiction novel. While it is based around true events, some parts are briefly glossed over by the author. This is because out of respect of the women, which I can appreciate. While, I did like learning about Khair Khana, her sisters and the other women in Afghanistan and the fact that they turned a lemon into lemonade as the saying goes. I didn’t experience a strong connection with Khair Khana. I don’t know if this party had to do with the fact that it seemed like this book was missing some of the gaps due to the fact that it seemed the author held back on wanting to give too much detail. Though, I can not imagine what it must be like to have a group like the Taliban come and take over and tell you that your freedom has been taken away and you must stay in your home. I had some mixed feelings about this book but overall, it was pretty good.