Book Info:
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
by Deborah Rodriguez
by Deborah RodriguezPaperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks (December 18, 2007)
ISBN-13: 9780812976731
Genre: Non-Fiction
Source: My Shelves
Rating: 0/5
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.
Sometimes an unfinished book is the victim of circumstances, and that was the case with this one. I was about halfway through Kabul Beauty School when Claire was born. The book up to that point was good, but it wasn't one I was telling every one about. I thought that Rodriguez had a wonderful program that empowered Afghan women, but I had a hard time matching her enthusiasm for hair color and makeup.
Once Claire arrived my reading time dwindled to nothing and I never picked this one back up. About two months later it was requested on Paperback Swap and I mailed it out without finishing it. If you've read this one, did I miss out on a wonderful ending, or was reading half the book sufficient? 0 stars
6 comments:
I have heard a lot about this book, and have been very curious about it. I am sorry to hear that it wasn't entirely to your liking though, and that you didn't finish it. I might have to think a little harder about adding this one to my collection!!
I have heard a lot about this book, and have been very curious about it. I am sorry to hear that it wasn't entirely to your liking though, and that you didn't finish it. I might have to think a little harder about adding this one to my collection!!
You know, when you have a baby, and your time to read is limited, the last thing you want to do is reading something that is just OK. You have to make those minutes count! I remember reading reviews of this book, but don't stand out in my mind as something earth-shattering.
I haven't read this one, but I'd like to - it sounds really good to me. Sorry you didn't get to finish it.
What a great blog. I will be back!
Sometimes life gets in the way. I still need to go back and read Les Miserables. I put it down over 10 years ago because of life circumstances and never did get back to it. I keep telling myself that I will one of these days.
I haven't read this particular book so can't say if you missed out on a great book. I am sure that if it's meant to be, you'll find yourself reading it again one day.
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