Petra (amethyst) - , reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
unbelievable, going from starting to study at the university, to beeing affraid to go outside. Women were nothing during that time, not allowed to learn, study, work, not able to read books, watching TV, listening to music, taking photographs, wearing make up, confinded 24 hours inside the house out of fear they wear something wrong, do something wrong and be beaten in result of that. Not able to get medical care for women at all. Helpless, depression and a fight of making something out of their situation by helping younger kids to learn in their home so they have somewhat of an education. Terrible to read of families who had no male in the family and how they survived, since nobody is allowed to go outside without a male present. You will get a little inside into the underground world and how they were holding up.
Ethel I. (RoyalCatwoman) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 278 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Readers who want to know what life was really like when the Taliban ruled Kabul should turn off CNN and read this book. Latifa (who writes under a pseudonym) was a 16-year-old aspiring journalist when her brother rushed home one day in late 1996 with word that the white flag of the Taliban flew over their school and mosque. She writes, "We knew the Taliban were not far away... but no one truly believed they would manage to enter Kabul." The bizarre edicts of the women-suppressing regime slowly become a reality: women weren't allowed outside the home unless they were shrouded in a "chadri" (which covers the face and arms, unlike a burka, which covers the entire body and according to Latifa is worn only in distant provinces) and accompanied by a male relative. "A girl is not allowed to converse with a young man. Infraction of this law will lead to the immediate marriage of the offenders." No wearing of bright colors or lipstick; no medical care from a male doctor. And women doctors were not allowed to work, essentially cutting off medical care for women. Latifa's story puts a face on these now-familiar rules, and conveys the sheer boredom of the lively teenager-turned-hermit and the desperation of not knowing if she'll ever complete her education in such an upside-down world
Rhonda S. (imapugmom) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a good book to read. The book was written in 2001 by a young woman who grew up in Afghanistan. She tells of the constant state of war and how bad things got when the Taliban took over. It is extremely sad to see anyone living the way this young woman and her family did. She knew nothing her entire life but fighting, literally. It took a horrible toll on her and her family, however, the Taliban was the straw that broke the camel's back. The state of constant fear these people were forced to live in, espeically the women, is amazing. This young woman is very brave to have written this story and hopefully the world will listen to its message.
Helpful Score: 1
Very moving account of one girls life in Afghanistan. In light of the current war, I was just more convinced that we are needed there!
Sharon D. reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 224 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Latifa says: "This book records past and recent events experienced by my family in my country, Afghanistan. I hope it will serve as a key to other women, those whose words are locked away, those who have hidden what they have witnessed in their hearts and in their memories. I dedicate it to all the Afghan girls and women who have kept their dignity until their last breath. To all those, deprived of their rights in their own country, who live in darkness even after the dawn of the twenty-first century. To all those women excecuted in public before the eyes of their children and loved ones, without pity, or justice. I offer it also to my mother, who has helped me every moment by giving me lessons in freedom and resistence."
Jennifer Q. reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good. Not much time spent on detail or background. More like a retelling of daily events.
Kathy S. (nana23) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 243 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The true story of a teenage girl growing up in wartorn in Afghanistan
Jinni B. (jinni) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Heartwrenching "Anne Frank" type story of a young girl confined to home because the Taliban made it impossible for her to study or even go out on the street.
Sheryl Z. (szamp) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have had the opportunity to read several books written by or about courageous women striving to preserve their dignity in a world where women are considered little more than slaves. This book is not as polished as some yet that is the appeal. I would say the book is a bit dated as it ends with the ousting of the Taliban from Kobul. However, the war still goes on in Afghanistan & young women are still being victimized by a war. So the story remains unchanged only the names and dates have changed. I find myself wondering about Latifa and her family. I too long for the day when "books may replace weapons".
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. I have read several on the life of women living under the Taliban. This was excellent, gave some new and different information, as according to this woman she lived in more wealth, so things were seen from a different prospective, than the poor. But none the less oppresive, did she live. She has now gone on to be a journalist and was quite lucky to have lived through the times she did. This read was nice because i was given the before, during and after of this familys life. The foods they ate,their daily routines, her mother was a doctor for women, and plenty of patients she had, as the Taliban were raping and beating women, then they would have to sneak for treatment, many mutilated. If you have any interest, this is a different read than most.
Lynne S. (lds0423) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 79 more book reviews
Wonderful book! Shocking, inspiring!
Gina D. (gina227) -
Such a sad story.
Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 473 more book reviews
A good look at the plight of women under Taliban rule.
Mary L. (maspaws) reviewed My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story on + 28 more book reviews
Fascinating story of a young girls life before and after the Taliban took over Kabul. A sad story on how life changed so drastically for this family. Hard to believe people have to live under such violent inhumane conditions. Very good read if you want to know how the Afghan people are really living, and how lucky we are to live where we do.
