When I think of Afghanistan, I think of a giant mess and bombs and war and kites and the Taliban and unhappy people. I don’t often think of extraordinary acts of courage. I don’t think of women being brave. However, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (the title IS a mouth full) definitely has changed my perceptions of Afghan women.
The whole book revolves around the Sidiqi, and most especially the Sidiqi girls. You see, Kamila Sidiqi and her sisters face almost certain poverty after the Taliban come to power, as women are not allowed to leave the house without a male relative escort. Women can’t work outside the home, go to school or attend university. It is a scary time, full of terrifying prospects. I mean, because of the Taliban nutjobs there has pretty much been an economy FAIL. However, instead of giving up, Kamila exhibits great courage and learns to provide for herself and her family.
Spoiler: She becomes a seamstress. I know, you are in shock since clearly you didn’t read the title of the book. Anyhoo, I thought this was a brief but excellent reminder of what the human spirit is capable of. It is not always with the welding of a weapon or violence that we show our strength, but with a refusal to be cowed into despair or to lose hope.
I think The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe is a great read for those of us interested in stories of women who are strong in real life. I audio-ed this entirely in my car. The audiobook is only 6 hours and 16 minutes long. I thought it was perfect for the rainy weather I’ve been experiencing lately. I got lost in Kamila’s story. The narrator, Sarah Zimmerman was fabulous. Her voice was gentle and soothing and very feminine. I thought it was well suited to The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe.
Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.
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Purchase The Dressmaker of Khair Khana here.
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I’m glad to see the audio translated so well! This is nearing the top of my TBR pile so I am really looking forward to reading it.
Amused recently posted..Will You Be My Boyfriend
I have this on my TBR list and I look forward to reading it. It sounds fantastic! I am glad to hear that you liked it. I will probably read the print version rather than listen to audio. My car is very finicky about playing CDs. Nice review! I loved the line “It is not always with the welding of a weapon or violence that we show our strength, but with a refusal to be cowed into despair or to lose hope.” Well said.
Christina T recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday 50
I saw this book somewhere recently…I think I need to read it. Currently devouring “The Kite Runner. Thanks for the recommendation.