A young woman tells about growing up in war torn Afghanistan.

A true story of what it was like to grow up in war-torn Afghanistan. A young girl tells about life in Afghanistan under the Taliban. It is very honestly and simply told but gives a lot of background information for those of us who don't know much about Afghan history. However, the book did get confusing at times. The author tells her tale in a circular way and would go back and retell events adding more to it.

RELEASE NOTES:

mailed to zzz of Zitiste, Serbia, Europe as an RABCK.

I hope you enjoy the book.

Oh what a lovely surprise! I've completely forgot about this book and therefore surprise is even bigger :-)
Book looks fabulous!
Tabby-Cat-Owner thank you so much!
(I hope your cats are fine too - best regards from grateful veterinarian)


In a moving tale of oppression and courageous defiance, sixteen-year-old Latifa tells her story of growing up in war torn Afghanistan. She was a prisoner in her own home as the Taliban wreaked havoc on the lives of Afghan girls and women. The regime banned women from working, from schools, from public life, even from leaving their homes without a male relative. Female faces were outlawed as the burka, or head-to-toe veil, became mandatory.
Like contemporary Anne Frank, Latifa was forced to observe, absorb, and make sense of whet was happening to women, to her country, to her family, from the confines of her four walls. In 2001, after escaping to Pakistan, then to Paris, with her parents, Latifa’s future finally opened up. Written during exile, this book is an extraordinarily powerful account of a teenager’s life under terrible circumstances and a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit

"So, since men as well as women are forbidden by law to laugh in the streets and children are forbidden to play ..."

Can you imagine living under law that forbids laughter? And why on earth someone would force that law? We all know (I suppose) that Talibans are utter fanatics but I’m sure Islam doesn’t forbids laughter. I mean every religion should bring joy to its believer so how come this paradox? And that’s not the only one of course.
To anyone who is familiar with Taliban regime this book will not be surprising. I saw so many documentaries about Afghanistan so I didn’t find this book hard read. And somehow I didn't find it emotional enough; as if compassion is something which is expected. And of course it is but perhaps because I'm very familiar with the topic I wasn't moved as I expected I'd be. However since its personal story of a young girl it’s just can’t be ignored.

Accent is on the position of women in this extremely oppressive regime and parallels on time before Talibans, years of war as well. It was so incredibly horrible that in spite the fact that you know this is true you just have to wonder.

Book will continue its journey very soon. Next stop will be Canada.

I received this today, with much thanks, from zzz! Sounds like a very interesting book and I'm looking forward to it!
Thanks again :)

Latifa grew up during troubling times in Afghanistan. She was almost finished her degree in journalism when her brother rushed home one day to inform her family that the mosque and school were flying the white flag of the Taliban. Latifa and her family never thought that the Taliban hold would actually come in to their town. Very quickly, life changes. All females are forbidden to travel outside without a male and must do so in a chadri, clothing that entires the entire body and only has mesh to see through. As every day goes by, more restrictions are added, more women are beaten and raped in the street, and more men are taken to jail or killed for petty crimes.

The atrocities and hypocrisy of stories like this always amaze me. The Taliban bans videos and does not allow men and women to be in the same room, yet it is perfectly ok for them to rape women as a form of punishment. How does this make sense? This certainly makes you feel thankful for things you take for granted.

In terms of the writing in the book, I found the narrative to be a bit disjoint. Latifa would be talking about the present time and then all the sudden go back about 5 years for a couple of pages before going back into present time, without much warning or warrant.

After continuous complaint that the world had forgotten about Afghanistan, I wonder what Latifa would say now, in 2009, with troops fighting in Afghanistan. Many Canadians soldiers have died over there, and I can't help but wonder if the locals just see Canadians as another invading force that isn't welcome.

I'm adding this to my birthday partner's birthday package!

Ahhh! Sorry Lauren! I haven't mad a journal entry yet. Thank you so much for the birthday package.

I'm actually already halfway through this book. I'll probably finish by the end of the week. Will let you know what I though.

received from my birthday partner. Thanks so much!!

My mom, AceofHearts, passed away from breast cancer in September, 2013. Aside from being one of the best people I know, she was an avid reader and took immense pleasure in Bookcrossing, her book club, and reading many great books. Unfortunately she didn't get around to reading this book.

I will be releasing this in my mom's memory.

To the finder of this book: I hope you enjoy reading this book. Please keep it or set it free when you're done. If the book is of no interest to you, please release it into the wild for someone else to find and enjoy. I hope you will make a journal entry so its journey can be tracked and to let me know the book has been found. You can remain anonymous if you wish, but if you join BookCrossing, you are in for a great experience and I do hope you will use my mom, AceofHearts, as a referring member. 

Picked this up today at Harbord House Pub in Toronto, where an intrepid group of Bookcrossers meets about every two months. HoserLauren, you can join in anytime! We'll have another meetup in May, and I'm hoping to have everyone out here (an acre) in July. It's worth the (GO Bus) to Acton! I am intrigued by stories from Afghanistan, starting with an excellent book called "The Storyteller's Daughter", that I read a few years ago. The only Muslims I know are modern, and pretty secular. I have only ever seen ONE burka in my life, and that was on Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto about 10 years ago. Toronto is so multi-cultural, I don't notice headscarves, turbans, etc. anymore, but a FULL burka just stopped me in my tracks. It made me feel so sad. A person reduced to swaying fabric, no identity. As if it was understood this being was nobody, a nothing. It did upset me - surprisingly. I thought I had seen every kind of person/culture in my life, including travelling in Muslim countries (Malaysia, for one). But, it's like a real person has been trapped in a fabric prison, not to mention, lack of vitamin D, and other health problems these things cause. Anyway...I will devour this book.

A hard book to read. The senseless cruelty, the ignorance - blind rage - that this family suffered through under the Taliban, and all those other, crazy, tribal conflicts. Wow....so glad to live in Canada! Passing this book to my niece.