My mom gave this book to me for Chrsitmas this year, and I love getting books. Usually I have at least heard of the books she gives me, but this one I hadn't, so wasn't too excited to get into it. Then whe I was in the airport on my way to Arizona, I saw it in one of the book shops there, and I knew that if it was in a airport book shop, it must be good.
And it was. (Don't let my grandma see that sentance, starting with and ... and having a paragraph starting with and and it's a run on from the last paragraph!! Luckily she's not much of an interneter). I did like reading it and it was pretty educational. It's a true story of how Debbie weaseled her way into going to Afganistan with an NGO. I say weaseled because she didn't have any medical experience or anything, but just wanted to go so bad, that she talked them into letting her go just after 9/11. The devistation there was incredible. I have heard a lot of stories about how it was and seen pictures, but she does a good job of explaining how their everyday lives were affected (affected? effected? Grandma Grey? ) She talked especially of women and how they are treated over there. I really can't believe that this is the 2000s and women are still treated so unfairly.
Upon seeing these women's lives and how there was such a cycle there, she deicded to use her skills as a hair dresser and do something about it. So, long story short, she starts a beauty school in Kabul (maybe the title may have given that away) and gives these women new lives. Being a hair dresser is one of the only occupations that a woman is allowed to have and can actually succeed at, and it was cool to read about how some of these women really changed thier lives around and the lives of thier families.
Her writting is really easy to read and sometimes could have been a little more interesting, but over all it was a good book. It makes me really happy to live in America, where I didn't have to worry about being 13 and sold (or stolen)to the Taliban or other terrorist that have the money and the power. Or, just by a dad who needs money and doesn't care about women and thinks we're worthless and only worth a dowry. I think some of America's gender rolls are interesting and often taken to extremes, but we've got it so easy to even be given the opportunity to be treated equally! And the fact that we have so many chances to be more than just some property that can bare a son for your husband. Sometimes I feel funny about saying this but I am glad to be an Amercian and grateful to live in a free country.
So, overall, a good book and I'd suggest it for a good, quick read.
