Joan's review
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
by Deborah Rodriguez
Joan's review
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez
Joan's review
rating:
It is what it is.
* Glimpse into the lives of women in Kabul post-2001, so for that, worth the read. The book states that being a hairdresser is the only profession for women in Kabul acceptable to nearly all husbands, because men aren't allowed in salons, so it's one place where women can be "free" to earn a decent living, despite being frequently accused of being prostitutes at a brothel.
* So sad! All of the women affiliated with the school were abused at home and in public in some way because they lacked a way to leave their husband or their society.
* Written by an American hairdresser who knows a lot about "product" and (at least before moving to Af.) little about middle east history, current events, or culture. Don't expect the book to teach you much of anything that is on a national or international scale.
* Has some interesting cultural tidbits. Ex: virginity testing a la virginity testing in The Red Tent. Gross!
* Is obviously (at least most of i...more
* Glimpse into the lives of women in Kabul post-2001, so for that, worth the read. The book states that being a hairdresser is the only profession for women in Kabul acceptable to nearly all husbands, because men aren't allowed in salons, so it's one place where women can be "free" to earn a decent living, despite being frequently accused of being prostitutes at a brothel.
* So sad! All of the women affiliated with the school were abused at home and in public in some way because they lacked a way to leave their husband or their society.
* Written by an American hairdresser who knows a lot about "product" and (at least before moving to Af.) little about middle east history, current events, or culture. Don't expect the book to teach you much of anything that is on a national or international scale.
* Has some interesting cultural tidbits. Ex: virginity testing a la virginity testing in The Red Tent. Gross!
* Is obviously (at least most of i...more
