Desert Flower
Registered by Caro1 of Newark On Trent, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on 3/21/2005
This book is in a Controlled Release!
This book is in a Controlled Release!
18 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Caro1 from Newark On Trent, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, March 21, 2005
Waris Dirie, whose name means "desert flower", was born in Somalia of nomadic parents. She underwent extreme female circumcision at the age of five, and when she was 13 her father sold her into marriage with a 60-year-old for five camels, at which time she ran away. She was discovered by a fashion photographer in the United States whilst working as a janitor at McDonald's, and became a model who has been used to promote Revlon skin-care products. She also speaks on women's rights in Africa and travels the world to give lectures on behalf of the UN. This is her autobiography.
Released 19 yrs ago (4/16/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Released at the Nottingham Meet-up. Requested by fellow bookcrosser jazz-ee2.
Released at the Nottingham Meet-up. Requested by fellow bookcrosser jazz-ee2.
Journal Entry 3 by jazz-ee2 from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 16, 2005
Picked this up at the Nottingham MeetUp - thanks Caro1!
Started reading on the train and already nearly finished it...
17/04/05 Finished book overnight. Not the best written book but a really readable and interesting story, well worth reading.
To send to devilinpinksox.
Started reading on the train and already nearly finished it...
17/04/05 Finished book overnight. Not the best written book but a really readable and interesting story, well worth reading.
To send to devilinpinksox.
Journal Entry 4 by jazz-ee2 from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, April 18, 2005
BOOKRING
Please journal the book when you receive it and contact the next person on the list for their address.
Try to read the book within a month.
Journal the book when you've read it.
Release the book via the "Controlled Release" location or make a journal entry when you've passed it on.
People in the bookring are:
Devilinpinksox - UK
Vespa - UK
BlueRaven - UK (no contact)
Aubriel - UK (anywhere)
GlasgowGal - UK (anywhere)
LyzzyBee - UK (anywhere)
ldpaulson - US (US)
marmaw - US
calvarez4 -US
midwinter - US (pref US)
AmberC - Australia
Lisagt - Australia (pref Aus/NZ, anywhere)
blakkat-bne - Australia (pref Aus / NZ, anywhere - Economy mail)
Cisco - US (US)
shy3wolf - US (pass on)
taaza - US
susanmrz - US (US / Other places)
jazz-ee2 <= book is currently here
The second ring starts here:
bookfrogster - UK
Sent to me via book ring from Jaz-ee2. Fantastic read. Not normally the kind of book I would read but it is refreshing, honest and above all interesting and very readable. It is scary just how different the life of Westerners are from those living in third world countries. This book certainly gives an insight into that
Journal Entry 6 by Scruffykaz at -- Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, May 2, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (5/2/2005 UTC) at -- Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Vespa
Arrived here this morning. Will read it when I have finsished my current book.
Heartbreaking and shocking. Waris's courage in telling her story with such honesty and openess is to be applauded.
Am passing this on to Blue Raven now
Am passing this on to Blue Raven now
Was not able to make contact with BlueRaven, so posted on to Aubriel yesterday.
Waiting for me after my return from holidays - many thanks :-)
Journal Entry 11 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 7, 2005
An interesting read and easy to whizz through - I started and finished in less than 24 hours and I went to work in that time.
Waris' story was interesting and though more depth in some areas than others this didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Waris' story was interesting and though more depth in some areas than others this didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Received in the mail this morning. Thank you.
Currently #5 on Mt TBR (Rays and Rings Divison)
Currently #5 on Mt TBR (Rays and Rings Divison)
This is a very humbling book to read. It certainly puts one's own life into perspective when faced with the story of Waris' life.I agree it's not the best-written book in the world, but it seems to come from the heart and the content alone made me engrossed in the story. I read it in one day, and was thoroughly hooked from start to finish.
I missed getting this in the post to Lyzzybee today, but I have her address and will try to get it mailed off later this week.
Thanks for organising the ring jazz-ee2.
:-)
Journal Entry 14 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Arrived in the post today. Will start reading today (I'm currently reading the Idiot's Guide to Lord of the Rings which can be picked up and put down again around other books) esp as I have a couple of other rings on their way to me.
Update: 28 July - I'm half way through this already so have PM'd ldpaulson for address. Will get this sent out early next week once I have the address.
Update: 4 Aug - sorry, forgot to review it! I thought this was good- very interesting, I was more concerned about the editing than the writing but it was an important and interesting tale to tell and I'm definitely glad I have had a chance to read it - thankyou.
Posted off today - unfortunately I've had to send it surface mail due to lack of funds. Hopefully I'll get a job soon to support my BookCrossing habit!
Update: 28 July - I'm half way through this already so have PM'd ldpaulson for address. Will get this sent out early next week once I have the address.
Update: 4 Aug - sorry, forgot to review it! I thought this was good- very interesting, I was more concerned about the editing than the writing but it was an important and interesting tale to tell and I'm definitely glad I have had a chance to read it - thankyou.
Posted off today - unfortunately I've had to send it surface mail due to lack of funds. Hopefully I'll get a job soon to support my BookCrossing habit!
Released 18 yrs ago (8/4/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to ldpaulson today. Sorry, I have had to send surface mail due to a slight cash crisis. But I have got surface mail books to the US in only a week before so hopefully it won't delay the book's journey too long!
Sending to ldpaulson today. Sorry, I have had to send surface mail due to a slight cash crisis. But I have got surface mail books to the US in only a week before so hopefully it won't delay the book's journey too long!
Caught at the post office Tuesday. Apologies for not journaling sooner, but it's been a horrid week that keeps getting worse.
Perhaps reading will be a good distraction.
Perhaps reading will be a good distraction.
DESERT FLOWER is a honest, at times difficult book to read. Waris Dirie is no shrinking flower. In telling her story her ultimate goal is to bring attention to female genital mutilation in hopes of seeing the practice ended. As she explains so poignantly, hers is but one of many of the people -- men and women -- who are victims of this culturally perpetuated practice. It is also an interesting look in to several issues likely alien to Westerners: nomadic life, what it's like to be a true outsider in a culture, immigration issues, and the like. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, but not skillfully told.
Now waiting on the next BookCrosser in line to contact me so the book can be sent on its way.
Now waiting on the next BookCrosser in line to contact me so the book can be sent on its way.
DESERT FLOWER is en route to marmaw.
I received the book in the mail and will begin reading it tonight... sorry about the wait. It should not take me long to read it. I am very interested and curious to read about her experience.
I finally had a chance to read the book. I hope I didn't have it for too long. I really am glad I became a part of the this, my first bookring! For myself, and the majority of the people who live in the U.S., reading about other people's lives in different areas, is truely an eye-opening experience. Waris Dirie is an inspiring woman and her strenght and courage is helping me to grow stronger. I will send the book out to the next person as soon as we make contact!
This arrived yesterday and I'm already a couple of chapters in. Rushing to have this done before november madness sets in (http://www.nanowrimo.org)!
While I wasn't floored by anything in this book, I did appreciate the chance to read it. Waris's story is so unique, and opened my eyes to yet another little corner of the world. I especially loved seeing how her nomadic roots continued to be a part of her modern/"western" existence, and I hope this book helps bring some much needed attention to the gruesome practice of FGM.
Off to AmberC later today!
Off to AmberC later today!
arrived safely today. i have a few bookrings before it, but will get to it soon.
An interesting story. i particularly enjoyed the early part of her story about her life as a nomad in Somalia.
the way she changed her life was amazing and the courage she has shown to talk about FGM and what was done to her is awe-inspiring.
thankyou for sharing this book.
to be posted to Lisagt tomorrow.
the way she changed her life was amazing and the courage she has shown to talk about FGM and what was done to her is awe-inspiring.
thankyou for sharing this book.
to be posted to Lisagt tomorrow.
Received today along with two other books. Why do bookrings have a habit of arriving together?!!! THANX...it's on my holiday reading pile!
I knew the story of Waris Dirie as I had read an article about her a few years ago however it was interesting to read this book and fill in the gaps. She is to be admired for her courage and strength, not just for what she went through as a child/young woman but for standing up now and fighting against the deplorable practice of FGM. By speaking out she knows that she may be rejected by her family or countrymen but knows it is too important as issue to leave alone. As Waris says on her website: "If genital mutilation were a problem affecting men the matter would long be settled."
http://www.waris-dirie-foundation.com/web/e_index.htm
Will be sending off to blakkat-BNE ASAP. Thanx for the chance to read this inspiring story Caro1.
EDIT: Posted today 9/1/06
http://www.waris-dirie-foundation.com/web/e_index.htm
Will be sending off to blakkat-BNE ASAP. Thanx for the chance to read this inspiring story Caro1.
EDIT: Posted today 9/1/06
Arrived on Wednesday - will get to it as soon as I can though I have a couple of books ahead of it.
Wow... what happens to Somalian girls is just unbelievable. I was seriously stunned when I read this. I'm not rating this book, as to me it's not the type of book that one rates. I was too busy absorbing what was being said in the book to think about how it was written. I finished this book in a few hours. Will pass this on to Cisco once I get an address.
Posted yesterday! Very sorry about the delay *sheepish look* Sent this economy mail so may take a while to arrive...
Received this book today. Will read as soon as I finish my current book. Thanks.
I am gratified to have the opportunity to hear this woman's tragic story and witness her courage to make a difference. I was sadly ignorant on the topic of FGM. Thanks so much Carol for making this book available!
On its way to taaza!
Juat received from cisco in CA, can't wait to start this! Will journal my thoughts later...
This was one of those books that was different enough and moving enough that I read it straight through in just a couple of days. I was fascinated and torn by Waris Dirie's childhoood struggles and hardships and really admired her courage and strength as she grew up. To have gone what she went through is mind-boggling. I knew a bit about FGM, but had no idea of the severity of the mutilation involved, nor the extent that this takes place. I was so moved by these last chapters that I am curious to read up more about it to find out if it has been been reduced and/or outlawed in the 6 years since this was published. Also, I'm interested in a recent update of Ms. Dirie's life and continued fight against FGM. Thanks so much for sharing and opening my eyes, Jaz-ee2!
Journal Entry 35 by susanmrz from not specified, not specified not specified on Sunday, June 25, 2006
Received this book a few weeks ago and forgot to journel it. I finished it last night and will be sending on its way. The story itself is an eye opening lesson and I am glad to have had access to it.
Journal Entry 36 by jazz-ee2 from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Well, this book has now returned having travelled - literally - across the world, and has come back (surprisingly, for it's travels) in very good condition. Thanks to eveyone who has taken part in the ring so far. As it is in such good condition and has been generally so well received, I think I will put it out as another ring, to see if it can continue travelling some more. I think I will wait until after Christmas and then set it free again.
Thanks very much jazz-ee2. This arrived safely yesterday, and the timing couldn't have been better as I had to sit in and wait for a workman today, so read it while I whiled away the morning.
Although I had read "Possessing the Secret of Joy" by Alice Walker which talks about FGM, this is the first non-fiction account I've read. It just doesn't bear thinking about that this is still going on. You have to hand it to her for speaking out about a subject which is so taboo in her culture.
I found the parts about Waris' early life the most interesting, because it was so very different to my own childhood.
This is going to be part of a joint ring with Desert Dawn, the book covering the second part of Waris' story.
Although I had read "Possessing the Secret of Joy" by Alice Walker which talks about FGM, this is the first non-fiction account I've read. It just doesn't bear thinking about that this is still going on. You have to hand it to her for speaking out about a subject which is so taboo in her culture.
I found the parts about Waris' early life the most interesting, because it was so very different to my own childhood.
This is going to be part of a joint ring with Desert Dawn, the book covering the second part of Waris' story.
And off it goes to Jazz-ee after a long holiday in Edinburgh!
This book has come back to me so well travelled, thanks to all for keeping it travelling , a truly nomadic book which is now ready to head off on another journey with its follow up book Desert Dawn. How exciting!
BOOKRING
This is a combined bookring consisting of both Desert Flower and the follow up to it, Desert Dawn. You can choose to read and send them on either individually (one after another) or together, but do try to keep them moving so the next person doesn't miss out.
Please journal the book when you receive it and contact the next person on the list for their address.
Try to read the book within a month.
Journal the book when you've read it.
Release the book via the "Controlled Release" location or make a journal entry when you've passed it on.
People in the bookring (including location and postal preferences) are:
Nakipa (Portugal) - Anywhere
This is a combined bookring consisting of both Desert Flower and the follow up to it, Desert Dawn. You can choose to read and send them on either individually (one after another) or together, but do try to keep them moving so the next person doesn't miss out.
Please journal the book when you receive it and contact the next person on the list for their address.
Try to read the book within a month.
Journal the book when you've read it.
Release the book via the "Controlled Release" location or make a journal entry when you've passed it on.
People in the bookring (including location and postal preferences) are:
Nakipa (Portugal) - Anywhere
Received the books today. As soon as I have the chance I'll get to them. I'll journal here again as soon as I'm done. :D
Released 5 yrs ago (10/9/2018 UTC) at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book is going home, along with Desert Dawn, after so much time in my hands. Happy travellings!
