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Summary: What a Captivating Story..........
Review: ..............this story is a must for anyone interested in world history, women's rights, or the tyranny that sometimes occurs in the name of "religion". Latifa takes us through nearly five years of her life, beginning in Afghanistan as a sixteen year old, through approximately four years under house arrest simply for being female (under the Taliban) and finally to her liberation in France where she related her story. Latifa brings us every detail of the recent history of Afghanistan and the impact it has had on she and her family and her people, in general. This courageous and very bright young woman makes no effort to hide the hideous truths of the evil actions of the regime that ruled her country until late last year. Every horror she and her family personally witnessed and suffered through is here in this book. We also get a close glimpse into the psychological strength of Latifa and her female family members as they attempt to cope on a daily basis with being robbed of the most basic of liberties, from simply leaving their homes when they please, without a man to being able to laugh aloud or own photographs, keep their pet dog or play music in their homes. The oppression suffered by the Afghani people are probably amongst the worst I've encountered in any reading I've ever done on the subject of tyrannical regimes. Somehow, Latifa survives and is able to tell us this story, the truth about the events in Afghanistan and it's impact on the people. This book is an absolute must!
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Summary: One of the best books I've read this year!
Review: A touching story that was so easy to read. I recommend this book to anyone!
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Summary: The truth behind the veil
Review: A young woman bravely chronicles her coming-of-age under the heel of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Her life hardly begun, "Latifa" describes the effect of the harsh regime on the hopes and aspirations of a generation of young women in war-torn Afghanistan, their dreams imprisoned behind restrictive laws meant to subjugate women.When the Taliban regime gained control of Afghanistan in the mid-nineties, Latifa was preparing to extend her education and pursue a career in Journalism. All that changed as Afghani women were forced to remain behind closed doors, forego careers and higher education in order to survive. The window of the world slammed shut on these women. The restrictive laws of the fundamentalist Taliban enforced secondary citizenship for Muslim women, whose faces must remain hidden at all times when in public. It is shocking to realize the unquestioning acceptance of the government of the Taliban by Western nations while ignoring the human rights of the Afghani women. So rarely do we have access to anything written about the plight of these women behind the burkas, that each small story is important, each reveals a way of life they have been forced to endure. Nothing is so powerful as the soft-spoken words from behind the veil, where sight is limited and the world obscured. Families live quietly imprisoned by the walls of their homes, shadows in contrast with the former cultural diversity and expectations they enjoyed, patiently waiting to live once more in the light of day. Latifa speaks for these women who cannot be seen or heard. She speaks with the unsophisticated voice of a young woman who still nurtures her dreams. It is time to listen.
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Summary: Gaining a new Perspective
Review: After 9-11, I was left with the impression that the women of Afghanistan had always worn Burqhas, they had always lived in a strict manner, and were inclined to dreary surroundings. "My Forbidden Face" brought me whirling back to reality. These were an oppressed people and gender. The book was amazing, and very effective in teaching about a people and a situation that I was completely ignorant of. I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their view of the world and the strong people in it.
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Summary: Good but lacks Depth & Detail
Review: As a supporter of women's rights all over the world, when I saw an ad about this book I bought the book straight away. It is a heart-wrenching account in so many ways--letting the reader witness a monstrous environment through the tiny slit of the burqa. I read the book in one sitting (very brief book) and while I do not regret buying the book, and recommend that the world support these women in whatever they can do to further their fight for basic freedom, I was slightly disappointed. Why? The book was very obviously hastily written and without the detail I felt I needed. Compelling accounts ARE revealed about other women but the author only devotes a couple of pages to stories that absolutely require a chapter. The book ended without details of life in that country after the Taliban were defeated. Although the young author could not return to the country (for fear of personal safety) surely she could have gotten information from inside the country to answer the many questions that are in all our minds. I felt the book was choppy and that the publisher and the editor had not guided this young writer to write a full account. I felt as though I left a potential banquet without being fulfilled! Still, as said above, I recommend the book, and think that everyone should support this endeavor. I believe that it will be necessary to go to other books to get the detail necessary to fully understand what life is like for women behind the veil or burqa. I STRONGLY recommend: Price Of Honor; Nine Parts of Desire, and Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the veil in Saudi Arabia. These books are much more detailed and mind-expanding. The richness and narrowness of women's lives in that part of the world are fully revealed in these books, and in particular the book about Princess Sultana in Princess. But read all three along with My Forbidden Face,and you will have detailed, yet haunting information that I believe will certainly propel many people to action.
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Summary: Amazing eye-opener, an easy explanation to the ignorant.
Review: As I was reading through the reviews I completely identified with Rachel, from Dallas, Texas. I read this memoir as an individual project for a Philosophy course. By the end of the book I was absolutely stunned how much I did not know about Islam, Afghanistan and the Taliban. I came to realize through Latifa's explanations and recounts how absolutely ignorant I was. I assumed that women in Afghanistan had been treated unfairly for centuries, and had no idea how similar life was to American life for most women and men. By the end of the book, I felt utterly guilty for thinking the way I did about Latifa's culture. I am so glad that I read this book, as it was a wonderful eye-opener. I recommend it to all American women so they can understand how precious our freedoms and liberties are. Also, any person who is interested in learning more about the Islam religion would greatly appreciate this book. My only complaint is that her recount is somewhat impersonal. Her memoir is more factual, when I felt she could have put a lot more of her own feelings and emotion into the book. Other than that, it is a maginifcent read.
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Summary: Engaging!
Review: Even if you thought you knew how terrible life is for women in Afghanistan, reading this book will bring it home to you. It's the story of a 16 year old girl who comes of age during the time of the Taliban. It's hard to believe the horrors she witnessed. It was also interesting to discover the small things people did to protest, like listening to contraband music or taping wedding ceremonies. It will give you a slightly different look at this troubled area and how it got to be where it is today. Latifa seems to feel that the Taliban were more a means of Pakistan keeping Afghanistan in a state of turmoil and impotency than a heartfelt religious movement. This is a very engaging story and anyone interested in women's issues, Afghanistan, Islam or just a really good read will enjoy this book.
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Summary: Should be required reading
Review: Even progressive Americans such as myself can only imagine the depth and intensity of the Taliban's oppression of women. Many of the rights that we take for granted because of their overall acceptance in this nation (schooling, the wearing of pants)were prohibited under dictate from religious police who would roam the streets. Indeed, the rise, regin and fall of the Taliban appears to be the first time that gender was used to create a system of apartheid. While Afghanistan women are now only celebrating the lunar calendar New Year's without their restrictive burqua's, the memory of such apartheid is not likely to recceed from that country's collective conciousness or the women who fled for their human rights. This book performs a tremendous public service to the world by ensuring that none of us outside of Afghanistan ever forget either. That the events and sittuations described in the book are completely true, makes them all the more chilling.
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Summary: The truth about the Taliban and Islam
Review: For anyone interested in reading about women's history this is an excellent book. It was especially an eye opener to me due to the way Latifa talks about true Islam. I have a new appreciation for a culture and religon I do not totally understand. Every American should read about Islam before judging it. All I hear on TV is about Moslem radicals and not about average Moslem people who are good loving family oriented individuals. Latifa states that the taliban distorts her religon to suit their needs. They use Islam only to get what they want and to hurt others. Her story is heartbreaking and full of hope. It has given me a new appreciation for my freedom, and for the strength and spirit of women. As a teacher I was especially moved that she opened a school in her home and taught children who, under the taliban could not learn. She is truly a modern women. She shows alot of courage and I hope to hear more of her story. I also recommend Harriet Logan's book "Unveiled-Voices of women in Afganistan".
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Summary: this is where our asylum seekers come from
Review: I am an Australian reader and I do not suppose many people around the world know how our Prime Minister John Howard won his recent election in November 2001. The government, dealing with a lot of swinging voters, decided to play the race card to appeal to voters'xenophobia. Massive adverts appeared on cover sheets surrounding our newspapers with a photo of John Howard saying "we decide who comes to this country and under what circumstances." Whilst swilling beer and turning shrimps on the barbecue, most Australians (between mouthfuls of entree)agreed with John Howard. "Send ém home" became a sick suburban refrain. Many Australians term asylum seekers who arrive by boat "queue jumpers" or "illegals" and like to believe government rhetoric and lies about Afghani treatment of children. The electoral campaign against refugees was assisted by high ranking officials peddling lies about Afghani children being thrown overboard (from leaking boats)and that adults sewed their children's lips shut whilst in detention centres. I would urge the folks who make and/or believe such characterisations of Afghani asylum seekers to read this book. Sure, it is not the most sophisticated of tellings, but it is honest and engaging. It is utterly valid to hear the voice of "Latifa" explain to us in simple terms what is actually going on in Kabul. It is shocking to think that Western governments have actively courted Pakistan, a country Latifa accuses of causing a great deal of harm to her country. The sad thing is that, as Latifa says, we can turn a blind eye to the genocide of women (symbolically and literally) but not to the Taliban destruction of Buddhist colossi! Go, Latifa - hearing your lived experiences has been enormously helpful for me. I am encouraging my students to read your work and hope that, with increased empathy from young Australian readers, we can change the xenophobic face of Western society.
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