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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Murder
Wonderful memoir, even though I was very hesitant to start it, as I have read so many books set in Afghanistan. This one was distinctly different, felt distinctly different. It was a fast read, but a very layered and beautiful story. Hope to read more by this author.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
A personal history of growing up in Afghanistan as a girl and woman during Russian invasion and then Taliban takeover and the multitude of injustices the author experienced, as well as the love and impossible courage she faced her oppression with.
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
A moving memoir from a resilient and incredibly accomplished woman, shedding light on life growing up in one of the world's toughest places to be a woman.
When asked by her brother why she continued to take the risk of educating herself and her peers despite the threat of reprisal from the Taliban, Homeira said to him:
“I’m afraid of being killed as you are, but I’m even more afraid of getting buried alive for the rest of my life without realising my dreams.”
There were several descriptions throughout this book that stuck with me. One’s that come to mind are Homeira's students packed seclusively into a tent in heat so menacing it melted the soles of their trainers, her family burying their books in a chest in the garden before an impending Taliban house raid, and them reluctantly placing communist flags up during the Russian invasion to pose as loyalists, and thus avoid harm.
Of course, we are reminded that war and conflict mostly impact the lives of innocent civilians. Moreover, the survival of totalitarian regimes is dependant upon severing familial and communal bonds, to produce compliant individuals that will always be more loyal to the regime and the furthering of it's cause.
It’s clear that the love Homeira’s family had for each other and the ties she built with those like-minded in her community were therefore acts of defiance, and this shaped who she became.
The book flows nicely taking us through the authors experience growing up, and is interspersed with heartfelt letters she wrote to her son during her separation from him in exile. I sighed with relief at the end upon realising she was able to regain custody of him.
The message of this book remains incredibly apt at a time when women's rights continue to be rolled back in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover.
When asked by her brother why she continued to take the risk of educating herself and her peers despite the threat of reprisal from the Taliban, Homeira said to him:
“I’m afraid of being killed as you are, but I’m even more afraid of getting buried alive for the rest of my life without realising my dreams.”
There were several descriptions throughout this book that stuck with me. One’s that come to mind are Homeira's students packed seclusively into a tent in heat so menacing it melted the soles of their trainers, her family burying their books in a chest in the garden before an impending Taliban house raid, and them reluctantly placing communist flags up during the Russian invasion to pose as loyalists, and thus avoid harm.
Of course, we are reminded that war and conflict mostly impact the lives of innocent civilians. Moreover, the survival of totalitarian regimes is dependant upon severing familial and communal bonds, to produce compliant individuals that will always be more loyal to the regime and the furthering of it's cause.
It’s clear that the love Homeira’s family had for each other and the ties she built with those like-minded in her community were therefore acts of defiance, and this shaped who she became.
The book flows nicely taking us through the authors experience growing up, and is interspersed with heartfelt letters she wrote to her son during her separation from him in exile. I sighed with relief at the end upon realising she was able to regain custody of him.
The message of this book remains incredibly apt at a time when women's rights continue to be rolled back in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover.