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lisakerd's review
2.0
Slow start, and though I appreciated her explaining some of the Dari Persian words, some only offered definitions through context. I would’ve liked elucidation in order to better understand the culture and not have to stop to google things. It was heartbreaking and infuriating to learn about the firsthand devastations and extreme patriarchy in Afghanistan. Although I cheered for our spirited feminist narrator, I felt like the book didn’t quite land for me. The pacing isn’t great and there are a lot of lulls.
mcquaden's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was a hard book to listen to. This woman has had a hard life - she grew up almost constantly surrounded by war, oppression, and prejudice. It's devestating to hear how difficult it is to be a woman with dreams and goals for herself and yet also live in and love a country and people who don't support her and her independence. All the stories that I have read about the middle east and specifically Afghanistan shows how much the people who live there love their country and their people. Hijab Butch Blues (another memoir) has shown me that it is possible to keep your traditions and your religions and your cultures, but also cast off the oppressive rules and traditions that stifle people's individualities. I hope that soon discriminatory governments and oppressive traditions learn the same lessons I learned in that book, and change so everyone in these places have the ability to strive for their dreams and become who they want to be, whatever that may look like
CW for on page SA of children, undertone of threats of DV, on page death from shooting (not graphic)
CW for on page SA of children, undertone of threats of DV, on page death from shooting (not graphic)
norimee's review against another edition
4.0
While reading these letters from a mother to her son, I can't help but wonder if there will ever be a time the son will care about what his mother has to say?
After all, he grows up in Afghanistans men's world, which is today worse than ever and where oppressing women is not only the norm but expected. Raised by his Taliban-approving father, separated from his mother as a young toddler because she couldn't accept her husbands polygamy.
Will he even have a chance to become something other than the men, the pillars of the patriarchal, opressive system his mother is fighting against?
After all, he grows up in Afghanistans men's world, which is today worse than ever and where oppressing women is not only the norm but expected. Raised by his Taliban-approving father, separated from his mother as a young toddler because she couldn't accept her husbands polygamy.
Will he even have a chance to become something other than the men, the pillars of the patriarchal, opressive system his mother is fighting against?
aylinniazai_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
However many beautiful tales my husband tells me, of a land that holds such potential, it’s very different for the women who live there. This book explains why my heart breaks for this amazing country now that Taliban is back in charge. I fear things will only get worse, especially for women. The land I’ve never visited, where my husband is from, where my family-in-law lives, where our children have part of their roots: I wish I could save you 💔
lauraisbetteroffread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0