It took me 2 years to get through this book. But this is not a reflection on the book itself, it is just a tough read (emotionally) and it took me a while to get into the writer’s style. At the end of the day, I do recommend this book if you want to read some non-Western stories from Afghanistan.
In 2022/2023, I set myself the goal of diversifying my reading, with the long-term goal of reading at least one book by an author from every country. That January, I began with A: Afghanistan. (I later decided not to go alphabetically, but still, I started with this book.)
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Saira Shah, daughter of an Afghan father and an Indonesian mother, grew up in the UK listening to stories from her grandfather and father about their beloved Afghanistan—stories that painted a near-magical picture. Determined to find that place, she went to Afghanistan in the 1980s as a journalist—at just 21 years old. She covered the Cold War (which Afghans participated in with their own interests, rather than those of the U.S. or the Soviets), the mujahidin control (1992–1996), and the Taliban era (1996–2001). This book, published in 2004, reflects her experiences during that time.
The book isn’t just about politics and history—it’s largely about her inner conflict with identity: coming to terms with the fact that Afghanistan was not the romanticized place she grew up imagining. She shares this journey through vivid storytelling, painting a striking portrait of the physical and geographical beauty of this region—its mountains, rivers, and lakes—even amidst conflict.
Between dangerous journeys and encounters with the Afghan people’s incredible (and sometimes unexpected) generosity, she also explores how, in some places, joining a war is either a highly sought-after job opportunity or a deeply religious conviction. And for many—if not all—children, the only “productive activity” they know. Sadly, I imagine this is still the case today. Or worse.
Memoirs. Identity. History and Afghan culture. I recommend this book if you want to learn more about this country.
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