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Dear Zari: The Secret Lives Of The Women Of Afghanistan (2012)

by Zarghuna Kargar(Favorite Author)

3.98 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1402268378 (ISBN13: 9781402268373)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Sourcebooks

review 1: This is a collection of stories about Afghan women living in Afghanistan, London, or Pakistan. The stories were collected for a BBC radio show called Afghan's Women Hour. It was produced by an Afghan woman who lives in London. Some of the stories are pretty horrific by Western standards, but by Afghan standards it appears they are not unusual, if not routine. This book was written a few years ago, so some things may have changed about Afghanistan since then, but the overall culture of the indigenous people is probably pretty much the same. If you want some understanding of that culture, then this would be a good book for you. I believe a discerning reader will observe some common themes in the mix of stories. It's written at about the 8th-grade level, I think, so it's not... more sophisticated or difficult by any means. Some of the dialog between the characters, which is intended to move the stories along, is cloying and romanticized, which can be annoying. But, in general, this is an informative look at Afghan culture from source material.
review 2: My understanding of the political situation in Afghanistan is rudimentary at best , but after this book I feel I have a better grasp of what is going on that country. Kargar tells her own story and than as part of a radio show she tells the stories of various woman throughout the country. I actually liked the stories better when, instead of paraphrasing, she lets their own voices tell their own stories. I can't imagine living in a country that is constantly at war, I keep thinking of all the people who are just trying to live normal lives in trying conditions. Most of these women's stories were heartbreaking, but I am glad they have been shared.. less

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