Reviews

A remarkable true story of how one woman went from desert nomad in Somalia to supermodel and UN Ambassador: resilient, beautiful, fantastic human being.

marthaos's review against another edition

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This was a very powerful read, an autobiographical account of model and campaigner for Women’s Rights, Waris Dirie. In this book she traces her early life, revisiting her African roots in Somalia. I loved this aspect of the book, the descriptions of life in Africa were so far removed from my Western experience and while poverty and war prevailed, there were many happy experiences for Waris: she was a child of nature and had a wildness about her that really made her a part of the natural world all around her.

It is a book of two halves, the first describing her early life in Africa, the hardship she endured as a child but also the elements she loved: the simplicity, the love of her family, nature; and the second half, when she has run away and eventually becomes a model in London, travelling the world and working also in Paris and New York. I read and discussed this with an online bookclub and I think we unanimously agreed that we preferred the first half. It was so different to our own experience, so authentic and raw. The language was simple and clear, almost as if she was narrating her story to someone. I felt I learned a lot about Somalia, the desert, the nomadic life, the lack of a time structure, the interconnection to nature, family structure and found it all fascinating but very hard reading in parts. It brought home the imbalance that exists, how each day people in Somalia and other African countries are living hand-to-mouth, and how such a seemingly simple commodity as water is pure gift. Since it was written in 1998, hopefully things have improved somewhat but it definitely opened my eyes.

Harder still to read was the description of genital mutilation which the author was subjected to at 5 years of age. This was horrendous, performed with blunt instruments by a gypsy woman and survival was a pure lottery. The author did not shy away from the details and this was deliberate and while it was tough reading, it was important. She also later on describes the lifelong consequences of this and her determination to do something about it.

I liked how the author came full circle and having experienced both lifestyles, came to appreciate what was good about her childhood. She notes how everyone in London and the West seems to be rushing, rushing, and for what? She will always be African, it is in her blood. Overall a very good read.