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marinaemoore's review against another edition
2.0
Poorly Written
Enjeela’s story is endlessly fascinating and inspiring. It’s too bad it was so poorly ghost written. The editing wasn’t fantastic either.
Enjeela’s story is endlessly fascinating and inspiring. It’s too bad it was so poorly ghost written. The editing wasn’t fantastic either.
emwil13's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book
For some reason I always become completely entranced by books about Afghanistan, and this one was no different. Must read
For some reason I always become completely entranced by books about Afghanistan, and this one was no different. Must read
knod78's review against another edition
4.0
I have long since had a fascination with Afghanistan as a place I would love to visit and hike, but it just wouldn't be possible in my lifetime, especially now. I must live vicariously through books and movies and TV shows, although, not much is really out there.
This book was definitely unexpected for me. I randomly picked it to read online and at first, the book was slow to start and I felt like I made a mistake. I'm so glad I kept going, because within three chapters, I was enthralled by this woman's tale. The Russian invasion and war happened when I was a year old. I grew up during and end of the cold war, but anything the Russians did bad, we as Americans heard about it (whether it was truly bad or not). I do remember hearing about this and studying a little bit about it history classes, but there were no details. This book starts right before that happens and during it and then, eventually the family's escape. I can't imagine being Enjeela at such a young age doing what she did. This is what I consider to be a strong woman, capable of anything. Granted, I do recognize that some of this could be a mix of stories between the children. Although, I'm not sure I would have the same strength in dealing with my mother after what happened. I just don't know if I could easily forget.
What I loved about the book was not only this girl's strength, but it gave me an insight to Muslims in Afghanistan and to Afghanistan itself. In the media, we are bombarded by what we perceive to be the Muslim religion, but it's always the extreme ones and not always in the most positive light, especially after 9/11. I loved her explanations of the fundamentals of this religion and how it helped her get through an extremely dark time. I loved finding out about the Choris, who in my mind, are like Gyspys to the Western world and treated similarly with suspicion and distrust first. This book also gave me an insight to refugees and their experiences, and they were considered the lucky ones. You want to shout to the various governments to help them, but then you realize that her family isn't the only family trying to escape. I loved that even through this trying time, the family tried to do what they could to help out other refugees that were worst off. Although, I'm not sure how I would handle being turned away so rudely by someone you helped. I understand it was her brother, but still, I would have said more.
She did drop off what happened to the older children. I don't know if the one who got married was still alive and well.
Anyways, I think people should read this book to get a new perspective on life. For instance, when Enjeela would get frustrated with her life, she would remember living off a milk and soppy bread to snap her back to reality. What a lesson.
This book was definitely unexpected for me. I randomly picked it to read online and at first, the book was slow to start and I felt like I made a mistake. I'm so glad I kept going, because within three chapters, I was enthralled by this woman's tale. The Russian invasion and war happened when I was a year old. I grew up during and end of the cold war, but anything the Russians did bad, we as Americans heard about it (whether it was truly bad or not). I do remember hearing about this and studying a little bit about it history classes, but there were no details. This book starts right before that happens and during it and then, eventually the family's escape. I can't imagine being Enjeela at such a young age doing what she did. This is what I consider to be a strong woman, capable of anything. Granted, I do recognize that some of this could be a mix of stories between the children. Although, I'm not sure I would have the same strength in dealing with my mother after what happened. I just don't know if I could easily forget.
What I loved about the book was not only this girl's strength, but it gave me an insight to Muslims in Afghanistan and to Afghanistan itself. In the media, we are bombarded by what we perceive to be the Muslim religion, but it's always the extreme ones and not always in the most positive light, especially after 9/11. I loved her explanations of the fundamentals of this religion and how it helped her get through an extremely dark time. I loved finding out about the Choris, who in my mind, are like Gyspys to the Western world and treated similarly with suspicion and distrust first. This book also gave me an insight to refugees and their experiences, and they were considered the lucky ones. You want to shout to the various governments to help them, but then you realize that her family isn't the only family trying to escape. I loved that even through this trying time, the family tried to do what they could to help out other refugees that were worst off. Although, I'm not sure how I would handle being turned away so rudely by someone you helped. I understand it was her brother, but still, I would have said more.
She did drop off what happened to the older children. I don't know if the one who got married was still alive and well.
Anyways, I think people should read this book to get a new perspective on life. For instance, when Enjeela would get frustrated with her life, she would remember living off a milk and soppy bread to snap her back to reality. What a lesson.
vendea's review against another edition
4.0
Not a difficult read. I thought it was overall well-written and enjoyable.
jessbernstein's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book as a part of the amazon ‘First Reads’ for March. I am so glad I made this selection. The synopsis intrigued me, especially since my boss has talked about his family leaving Afghanistan and traveling through the Khyber Pass.
I finished this book in two days. It’s emotional and you feel so connected to their story and you will be wondering about those in they meet along the way.
I finished this book in two days. It’s emotional and you feel so connected to their story and you will be wondering about those in they meet along the way.
retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
3.0
A dramatic contrast between the life Enjeela had in Kabul and the months she spent escaping from Afghanistan during the war between the Russians and their allies, Afghani soldiers, and the mujahideen. It's more than a little self-congratulatory. What resonated with me were the descriptions of the lives of the poor rural Afghanis she met along the escape route.