Host: Janet Noma
Book: Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez
Meeting Date: Sunday, March 16, 2008
Metting Time: 11:30 AM
Meeting Location: Janet's (Lodi)
Synopsis
Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons. Thus an idea was born.
With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.
Yet within the small haven of the beauty school, the line between teacher and student quickly blurred as these vibrant women shared with Rodriguez their stories and their hearts: the newlywed who faked her virginity on her wedding night, the twelve-year-old bride sold into marriage to pay her family’s debts, the Taliban member’s wife who pursued her training despite her husband’s constant beatings. Through these and other stories, Rodriguez found the strength to leave her own unhealthy marriage and allow herself to love again, Afghan style.
RATINGS:
5 out of 11 members voted.
40% gave this book 4 stars
40% gave this book 3 stars
20% gave this book 2 stars
Kabul Beauty School
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
How's everyone doing with the new book? I have not started mine yet, still trying to finish another book.
Wondering when you would like to meet? My schedule is flexible - so what works for Melissa and Christa??
Any long weekends coming up?
Janet
We can make it the second weekend in March. Does that work for everyone?
I read the book this past weekend. It was a fairly easy read. The story took place in Kabul which is the same city in The Kite Runner. That was really interesting. Things kept popping up that I recognized. I can't wait to talk about it...
I don't know that I'll get a chance to read this book. With the two jobs and traveling that I'm doing, I don't have much free time. I'll keep checking our blog and look forward to seeing what everyone else has to say!
Hey Everyone - The second weekend in March is fine with me. So we will plan for Saturday, March 8th, 10:30 AM at Noma's house.
Happy Reading!!!!
Janet
I have got to read this book. I've been wrapped up in baby book land. I'm over it now...Back to fiction, or in this case reality.
Post a Comment