Thursday, April 24, 2014

I am Malala / Malala Yousafzai / 327 pages

Hers is a very compelling story about life for girls and women in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  She was lucky to be born in a family where her father was quite progressive and valued his daughter and wanted her to have an education.  Her mission is for girls education which she emphasizes many times in the book.  She also gives great background, both cultural and political, for the region where she lives (Swat Valley) and for Pakistan.
  
The Taliban really came in and changed/destroyed the region from taking freedoms to destroying the environment.  It is also a cautionary tale of how, at first, people were unconcerned about the possible consequences of supporting such conservative Muslim leaders until they took over.  Then everyone suffered and no one could stop the consequences.

It reinforces everything that happened in the book A thousand Splendid Suns by  Khalid Hosseini.  What happens to women in either book is reprehensible.  Unfortunately, it will continue despite any wars to liberate.  Women will be liberated last.

Malala now lives in England and is sixteen.  I hope that she is able to do something in the world when she gets through school.  I hope that she can be a galvanizing force in the world.
***** 5-star book   a must read.

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