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Fear of Beauty
The battered body of an Afghan boy is found at the base of a cliff outside a remote village in Afghanistan. Did he fall as most of the villagers think? Or is this the work of American soldiers, as others want to believe? Sofi, illiterate, is desperate to learn the truth behind her son's death. Extremists move in and offer to roust the infidels from the region, adding new pressures for the small village and its women. We hear two sides of this story. One is Sofi's. The other is that of US Army Special Ranger Joey Pearson. In time, and defying all odds, Sofi secretly learns to read with the help of Mita Samuelson, an American aid worker. Through reading, the Afghan woman develops her own interpretation of how to live the good life while discovering the identity of her son's murderer and the extremists' real purpose in her village. Thriller, mystery, suspense.
Publishers Weekly: "Froetschel has crafted an exceptionally well-written tale of love, loss, trust, and greed with appeal that reaches far beyond mystery fans."
Publishers Weekly: "Froetschel has crafted an exceptionally well-written tale of love, loss, trust, and greed with appeal that reaches far beyond mystery fans."
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
1321 people want to read
About the author
Susan Froetschel
7 books29 followersSusan Froetschel is the author of five mystery books. The most recent is Allure of Deceit, set in rural Afghanistan, about how charity can have a hidden agenda and lying is a form of self-defense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 4, 2013
Fear of Beauty is set in Afghanistan. The son of an Afghan woman dies and sets in motion a tale of intrigue. Villagers blame the death on the Americans, while the Americans blame it on the villagers, and tensions increase. Sofi, being very shrewd, follows her gut and searches for the truth.
Susan Froetschel describes a multitude of things, especially the limited life of an Afghan woman, with details many here in the US are not aware. Not only are women prohibited from appearing in public, but a widespread lack of education means women have no economic opportunities. Most Afghan women are illiterate, hidden and isolated. Sofi defies the Afghan culture, learns English, and takes matters into her own hands – this is extremely rare and shows a lot of perseverance, which Froetschel portrays beautifully. You find yourself rooting for Sofi and admiring her strength. In fact, I personally like Sofi’s point of view in the book.
The story keeps a reader wanting for more, and the author does an excellent job of reeling you in. You desire to find out who killed Sofi’s son and how the book will end. You can’t put this excellent read down!
Susan Froetschel describes a multitude of things, especially the limited life of an Afghan woman, with details many here in the US are not aware. Not only are women prohibited from appearing in public, but a widespread lack of education means women have no economic opportunities. Most Afghan women are illiterate, hidden and isolated. Sofi defies the Afghan culture, learns English, and takes matters into her own hands – this is extremely rare and shows a lot of perseverance, which Froetschel portrays beautifully. You find yourself rooting for Sofi and admiring her strength. In fact, I personally like Sofi’s point of view in the book.
The story keeps a reader wanting for more, and the author does an excellent job of reeling you in. You desire to find out who killed Sofi’s son and how the book will end. You can’t put this excellent read down!
January 23, 2016
PROTAGONIST: US Army Special Ranger, Joey Pearson, and Afghan villager, Sofi
SETTING: Afghanistan
RATING: 4.0
For all the time that the United States has been at war in Afghanistan, it’s rather surprising that we don’t know more about how the people in small Afghani villages live and how they feel about the US presence. FEAR OF BEAUTY fills that knowledge gap beautifully. It is narrated from two points of view, one a US Army Special Ranger, Joey Pearson, and the other a young mother in a small village named Laashekoh in Helmand Province, Sofi. The US Army has set up an encampment near Laashekoh, and their mission is to help the local people build their economy. Unlike many projects, the Americans do not dictate how help will be given; rather, they go to villages and see what the people want and then help them achieve their goals. That approach doesn’t sit well with Cameron Janick, who feels that the group should decide what is best for the Afghans. Joey, on the other hand, supports the agenda and struggles to tolerate the arrogant and officious Janick.
Most of the villages are suspicious about what the Americans are up to. We are introduced to the views and culture of one of the villages by Sofi, who has a reputation for increasing the production of the fields that the women in the village farm. Her observations about daily life for the Afghans are quite enlightening. Although basically peaceful, they are at the mercy of visiting Afghan forces who try to incite resistance to the Americans among the residents. The village is divided by those who believe that the Americans are up to no good and those who accept their well-intentioned intervention.
Tragedy strikes when Sofi’s beloved older son is found killed at the base of a cliff where Sofi had found a box from which she took a piece of paper. She struggles to overcome her grief and finds purpose in her chance meeting with the head of the US encampment, Mita Samuelson, who has been separated from her base. Mita teaches Sofi to read, and it is then that Sofi understands the meaning of her life and is able to see what is going on in her own village.
FEAR OF BEAUTY is well written, and it is very interesting to learn about life in a typical small Afghan village and how their views are shaped by internal and external forces. It was shocking to learn that only ten percent of Afghani women are literate. I did have a few issues with the book, one being that there was too much focus on Cameron Janick and his negativity which rapidly became infuriating to me. Secondly, I found that the complex communication between Mita and Sofi, when neither knew or understood the other’s language, to be implausible.
Froetschel does a wonderful job of presenting both the US and Afghan views of a very complicated situation. Afghanistan is often the setting for the standard thriller. Although exciting at times, FEAR OF BEAUTY really excels at showing the personal side of life in an extremely challenging environment.
SETTING: Afghanistan
RATING: 4.0
For all the time that the United States has been at war in Afghanistan, it’s rather surprising that we don’t know more about how the people in small Afghani villages live and how they feel about the US presence. FEAR OF BEAUTY fills that knowledge gap beautifully. It is narrated from two points of view, one a US Army Special Ranger, Joey Pearson, and the other a young mother in a small village named Laashekoh in Helmand Province, Sofi. The US Army has set up an encampment near Laashekoh, and their mission is to help the local people build their economy. Unlike many projects, the Americans do not dictate how help will be given; rather, they go to villages and see what the people want and then help them achieve their goals. That approach doesn’t sit well with Cameron Janick, who feels that the group should decide what is best for the Afghans. Joey, on the other hand, supports the agenda and struggles to tolerate the arrogant and officious Janick.
Most of the villages are suspicious about what the Americans are up to. We are introduced to the views and culture of one of the villages by Sofi, who has a reputation for increasing the production of the fields that the women in the village farm. Her observations about daily life for the Afghans are quite enlightening. Although basically peaceful, they are at the mercy of visiting Afghan forces who try to incite resistance to the Americans among the residents. The village is divided by those who believe that the Americans are up to no good and those who accept their well-intentioned intervention.
Tragedy strikes when Sofi’s beloved older son is found killed at the base of a cliff where Sofi had found a box from which she took a piece of paper. She struggles to overcome her grief and finds purpose in her chance meeting with the head of the US encampment, Mita Samuelson, who has been separated from her base. Mita teaches Sofi to read, and it is then that Sofi understands the meaning of her life and is able to see what is going on in her own village.
FEAR OF BEAUTY is well written, and it is very interesting to learn about life in a typical small Afghan village and how their views are shaped by internal and external forces. It was shocking to learn that only ten percent of Afghani women are literate. I did have a few issues with the book, one being that there was too much focus on Cameron Janick and his negativity which rapidly became infuriating to me. Secondly, I found that the complex communication between Mita and Sofi, when neither knew or understood the other’s language, to be implausible.
Froetschel does a wonderful job of presenting both the US and Afghan views of a very complicated situation. Afghanistan is often the setting for the standard thriller. Although exciting at times, FEAR OF BEAUTY really excels at showing the personal side of life in an extremely challenging environment.
May 7, 2013
In her latest novel, Fear of Beauty, Susan Froetschel juxtaposes the plight of an illiterate Afghani housewife trying to solve her son's murder with the mission of a nearby Army outpost to bolster the Afghanistan farming economy. The story is told from two very different perspectives, each weaving an independent subplot into the story. The first perspective is from Sofi, the uniquely curious mother of five who believes literacy will be the key to understanding what happened to her oldest son, Ali. The second comes from Joey, the Army Ranger in charge of security detail at the outpost.
Froetschel's layering of these two perspectives offers a rich insight into each of these characters and into the conflict that each of them becomes enmeshed in. Following Ali's murder, tensions are naturally high between the small Afghani village of Laashekoh and the American outpost. Confounding these tensions are a narcissistic agricultural specialist and the village's ubiquitous, heavy-handed "visitors" - a nomadic Taliban faction with a vested interest in Laashekoh's economy and people.
More at http://www.murderlab.com/2013/05/fear...
Froetschel's layering of these two perspectives offers a rich insight into each of these characters and into the conflict that each of them becomes enmeshed in. Following Ali's murder, tensions are naturally high between the small Afghani village of Laashekoh and the American outpost. Confounding these tensions are a narcissistic agricultural specialist and the village's ubiquitous, heavy-handed "visitors" - a nomadic Taliban faction with a vested interest in Laashekoh's economy and people.
More at http://www.murderlab.com/2013/05/fear...
May 21, 2013
A very interesting read with an excellent story. Introduces you to a way of life, and a way of thinking of that life, that is so different to our western ways. Admirable people on both sides of the 'divide' as well as terrible people on both sides. The author was deliberately balanced in that portrayal. Who is the most righteous is in the eye of the beholder.
The only reason I didn't give it four stars is I found it really difficult to accept the sophisticated philosophical thinking of the main character, Sofi. Not that she wouldn't be capable of it intellectually, but that without education of any sort, how would one even be able to question in that way. ... but then again ... deep thinkers are everywhere and are not necessarily educated so I'm torn even about that criticism. And, of course, the societal way of treating woman as both objects of little worth and yet so powerful they must be kept under strict control makes my skin crawl.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone willing to try to comprehend a different way of life.
The only reason I didn't give it four stars is I found it really difficult to accept the sophisticated philosophical thinking of the main character, Sofi. Not that she wouldn't be capable of it intellectually, but that without education of any sort, how would one even be able to question in that way. ... but then again ... deep thinkers are everywhere and are not necessarily educated so I'm torn even about that criticism. And, of course, the societal way of treating woman as both objects of little worth and yet so powerful they must be kept under strict control makes my skin crawl.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone willing to try to comprehend a different way of life.
September 8, 2014
One of the best compliments a book can receive is to say that the story transports the reader to another place. When I read a novel, I want to be immersed in the culture of the story. I want to taste their food, hear the cadence of their speech, smell the dust on their clothing. That's what Susan Froetschel has done with Fear of Beauty. Froetschel's story of an Afghan woman torn between her desire to be more than what her culture dictates and her loyalties to her family, her village is a wonderful read. It transports the reader to a war-torn Afghanistan with authority and authenticity. Froetschel delivers a powerful piece of literature.
January 30, 2013
The true test of the modern socio political theme in Fear of Beauty is the feeling one gets that not only an American can empathize with the portrayal of the Afghans in the book, but also I believe an Afghan reader could empathize with the Americans in the book. This an accomplishment seldom achieved in modern context. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a good book.
May 2, 2018
This book provides a new perspective on life in Afghanistan and it even provides two perspectives in one book. The chapter switch off, one being told by a mother, Sofi, whose son was recently killed, and the other by an American soldier who just recently arrived to the country. Throughout the book, it is a mystery as to whether or not Sofi's son's death was an accident or a murder. Did he fall from a cliff or do the American soldiers have something to do with it? Sofi must find out! She secretly begins to learn how to read and develops her own thoughts and opinions while discovering the truth about her son's death and the real reason extremists' are in her village.
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June 10, 2019Fear of Beauty is a novel that takes place in Afghanistan. It is about a young Afghan boy whose body is found at the bottom of a cliff outside a village on the day he was supposed to leave for school. His mother is deeply disturbed and sad due to her sons death and is determined to find the cause. It has been said to have been an accidental fall by some people but others tend to blame the U.S troops for such an evil act. Sofi, who is the boys mother later on finds a teacher who teaches her how to read, specifically a note she found close to her sons site of death. She later discovers the truth behind her sons death.
May 30, 2015
Sofi is an Afghan woman living in a remote farming village with her husband a five sons. Her oldest son Ali is leaving home to go to school but is found dead, having fallen off a steep cliff. Ali spent his days climbing in the hills tending sheep and crops. Soft doesn't believe this was an accident. Just the day before Ali had shown his mother the American outpost being set up not far from the village and now Sofi wants to know if it was the Americans who killed her son, a villager jealous of her family's ability to send their son to school or the extremists who travel the countryside always looking for support in their fight against the infidels. There is conflict everywhere. There is suppression everywhere. There is oppression everywhere. The villagers don't trust the extremists or the Americans. The Americans don't trust each other. The villagers don't trust each other.
Susan Froetschel, the author, wove together a plausible mystery set on a stage in rural Afghanistan. It is as much Sofi's story as a murder mystery. Sofi is an intelligent and curious woman trying to make sense of her life in a village where young women must leave their families to marry men from other villages where they are expected to work, raise children and take care of their husbands homes all according to the Koran's interpretations. Sofi struggles with these interpretations which she feels change to suit the purposes of those interpreting. Sofi wants to learn how to read so she can interpret the Koran for herself.
This is a quick read with an interesting story. There is village treachery, an extremist turns out to be the head of a child trafficking operation and the murder of Ali is solved. The oppression of women feels self serving from an American woman author living in Michigan. Mita's character (she speaks Farsi and English) teaching Sofi, who is uneducated and speaks Dari, to read in two weeks is a bit far fetched. I would feel more comfortable with the underlying depiction of life in this rural village if our author had some first hand experience in Afghanistan. It felt a bit like a tabloid interpretation of oppressed Muslim women.
Susan Froetschel, the author, wove together a plausible mystery set on a stage in rural Afghanistan. It is as much Sofi's story as a murder mystery. Sofi is an intelligent and curious woman trying to make sense of her life in a village where young women must leave their families to marry men from other villages where they are expected to work, raise children and take care of their husbands homes all according to the Koran's interpretations. Sofi struggles with these interpretations which she feels change to suit the purposes of those interpreting. Sofi wants to learn how to read so she can interpret the Koran for herself.
This is a quick read with an interesting story. There is village treachery, an extremist turns out to be the head of a child trafficking operation and the murder of Ali is solved. The oppression of women feels self serving from an American woman author living in Michigan. Mita's character (she speaks Farsi and English) teaching Sofi, who is uneducated and speaks Dari, to read in two weeks is a bit far fetched. I would feel more comfortable with the underlying depiction of life in this rural village if our author had some first hand experience in Afghanistan. It felt a bit like a tabloid interpretation of oppressed Muslim women.
December 8, 2025
Susan Froetschel does a brilliant job marrying the complicated dance that is played when it come to Afghanistan. First we have a small rural village just trying to peacefully live their traditional ways by blocking out All outsiders -Americans and Taliban, adhering to the Koran, and just surviving. Second, we have a group of mostly American Ag workers trying to "help" a people that just wants to be left alone in peace. Some in this party have other agendas. Third, The Taliban or "outsiders" who want to insert their beliefs into the community.
Sofi a Afghan wife and mother loses her eldest child in an accident. Sofi thinks otherwise. Outwardly, Sofi appears to be the typical obedient, Afghan woman. Inwardly, she is clever, observant and shrewd.
This book reads like a fiction novel with suspense and a small mystery to solve.
The USA has been in Afghanistan trying to "help" for longer than any other war we have had. Politicians will tell you one thing, while the military will tell you something else. Then the our Media gives us a watered down version of what is going on, why our Men and Women are dying. So here's the thing, this book gave me more insight about Afghanistan and it's PEOPLE than any textbook, political speech, media thread or military update. Thank You Susan Froetschel. I WILL read more of your books
Sofi a Afghan wife and mother loses her eldest child in an accident. Sofi thinks otherwise. Outwardly, Sofi appears to be the typical obedient, Afghan woman. Inwardly, she is clever, observant and shrewd.
This book reads like a fiction novel with suspense and a small mystery to solve.
The USA has been in Afghanistan trying to "help" for longer than any other war we have had. Politicians will tell you one thing, while the military will tell you something else. Then the our Media gives us a watered down version of what is going on, why our Men and Women are dying. So here's the thing, this book gave me more insight about Afghanistan and it's PEOPLE than any textbook, political speech, media thread or military update. Thank You Susan Froetschel. I WILL read more of your books
February 4, 2014
Sofi found out that the U.S. troop killed her son. Sofi was heart broken when she found out the troops killed her son, she seemed to be more shocked than anything. She was scared to find out it was a murder, she was hoping it wasn't as bad as it was like it was just a accident. This is true because in the text " I couldn't believe it. I sat in disbelieve. starring at the wall, until I could form words. 'He's gone, they took my baby.' I let the flood of tears run down my face, didn't move my hand to wipe them away. I knew he was gone." This shows that Sofi was in so much shock that she felt like she didn't want to do anything she didn't want to go on. It's understandable but she has to pick her self for her husband and other son.
February 6, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Loved the tension in both the outpost between the "Monsanto" crusader, the jaded military commander and the optimistic Agricultural head. Which was mirrored in the village tension between the protagonist, her best friend and the interloper.
What moved my rating down one notch was my skepticism of how much real life Afghan experience the author had. I wasn't convinced from reading her acknowledgements that she could have an authentic appreciation of what an Afghani woman's life might actually be.
Having said that ... the story was solid. And the book is worth reading.
Loved the tension in both the outpost between the "Monsanto" crusader, the jaded military commander and the optimistic Agricultural head. Which was mirrored in the village tension between the protagonist, her best friend and the interloper.
What moved my rating down one notch was my skepticism of how much real life Afghan experience the author had. I wasn't convinced from reading her acknowledgements that she could have an authentic appreciation of what an Afghani woman's life might actually be.
Having said that ... the story was solid. And the book is worth reading.
February 26, 2013
Most American’s know very little about Afghanistan, just what we see on the TV news concerning the suicide bombers and Taliban extremists. Fear of Beauty is the story about an Afghan woman living in a remote mountain village. On the morning her eldest son is scheduled to depart for school, he is found dead with the cause of his death questionable.
This book had such a great premise, but the story failed to deliver. Transitions from one event to another were awkward. The character development was exaggerated with some characters and underdeveloped with others.
This book had such a great premise, but the story failed to deliver. Transitions from one event to another were awkward. The character development was exaggerated with some characters and underdeveloped with others.
April 26, 2015
A thought-provoking novel told through the eyes of an Afghan woman and a US special forces soldier. The author Susan Froetschel skilfully illustrates daily life in the village while presenting complex cultural perspectives from religious, philosophical to psychological. I found the novel succeeded in particular on the internal, psychological/cognitive level of Sofi, the Afghan woman and her frame if reference. For me it demonstrated how much influence our culture and experience limits our ability to understand our lives outside our particular world.
June 25, 2014
I'm intrigued with books about the Middle East, so this book kept my interest. In addition to conveying details about village life in Afghanistan and family structure, Froetschel explored the relationship between beauty (defined in many ways) and individual freedom of thought. Her book brings the Afghan culture to life, making clear why the "hearts and minds" campaign of the US has been difficult. The book appears well-researched, but it would be good to hear reviews by those who have traveled extensively in the Middle East.
April 28, 2018
Fear of Beauty is a thrilling story of a mother trying to find the truth about her sons death. There is a US Army training post just near by and it appears to be a problem. Extremists move in adding rules and regulations in the area for the small village and the women. There are two sides to every story. In this book we have Sofi's and a US Army Ranger. When you dig deeper you begin to learn that Sofi is learning to build a good life as best as she could. There is a lot of discussion of different cultures within the text.
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March 14, 2013This book is truly worthy of your time. When intricacies of an Afghan village collide with death and the Americans you're not sure which direction this book is going to take you. It was far from predictable and detailed with such beauty you could actually picture the desolate mountain surrounded by hard to survive vegetation. The exposure to the death indirectly steered this book and you don't realize it until the end. Well done!
October 21, 2013
This book started out great, but gradually descended into a pretty lackluster climax, with the author starting to rely on a few too many platitudes. The love story was stilted and the whole "abduction" scene seemed pretty unrealistic. However, I did like the author's portrayal of women, and the subject matter was fascinating. The book also saved me from dying of boredom on an endless flight, so it will always have my appreciation for that reason alone.
November 7, 2014
Breath-taking! Susan Froetschel has given us a look a the enigma of Afghanistan from the point of view of a native woman. I was fascinated to realize how many common problems she shared with women all over the world -- and how much of her experience was unique to the land in which she lived. The life of this woman moved me to care more about the Afghani situation than any amount of military/political discussion has ever been able to do.
December 21, 2017
I DNFd this after page 40. The whole sub plot about the military was boring and Sofi was bland. The way she spoke was strange, constantly referring to her son as "The Boy." In addition to that, their relationship had odd dynamics that prevented me from finishing.
If I had read further ahead maybe I would have liked this more. it's also not what I usually read, so 3 stars because it just wasn't for me.
If I had read further ahead maybe I would have liked this more. it's also not what I usually read, so 3 stars because it just wasn't for me.
February 10, 2013
This story is told from two points of view, that of an American soldier in charge of security for an agriculture assistance program in Afghanistan, and that of an Afghan woman grieving the somewhat mysterious death of her son. A terrific description of life in an Afghan village and the lack of trust on both sides.
May 10, 2015
I thought this book was non-fiction when I picked it up -- I kind of wish it was. But it is a fiction book about a woman in rural Afghanistan and her encounters with the "infidel" Americans following the death of her son. I really liked it, but have no way of knowing how accurate it might be. Easy read about current events.
June 16, 2013
This book is a very well researched and descriptively written account of women's lives in Afghanistan. I could not put it down and finished very early in the morning one night. I highly recommend it.
February 5, 2013
This new novel that takes place in a remote village in the outback of Afghanistan is not only informative but shows the power of women helping women. For those of you who would like just a bit of real insider info about this unusual and unique country, this is your book.
March 31, 2019
I cannot believe all the positive reviews! I found this book to be preposterous. Implausible timelines, the mother's shallow grief, Western worldviews being so easily adopted - all of these situations kept jarring me out my "suspension of disbelief."
Want to read
August 18, 2014An illiterate Afghan woman defies her husband and societal pressures to investigate the death of her son
March 25, 2013
A really fascinating book from the dual perspectives of an army ranger and an Afghani woman. Highly recommend!
October 27, 2013
Not my usual type of book, the military stuff was sort of tedious, however very rich descriptions of village life for women in Afghanistan. I liked it!
April 17, 2019
Fear of Beauty, Susan Froetschel
A very insightful and well written novel about life in a small, secluded mountain Village in Afghanistan. Sofi is the mother of five boys and lives in a small mountain village in southern Afghanistan. She has a special touch when it comes to farming and growing things, but her life choices are very limited because she is uneducated and a women. Sofi must always bend to the will of the men in her life and keep her thoughts and dreams to herself. To fit in to the community families keep their private lives as private as they can.
Sofi's life changes dramatically when her oldest son dies suspiciously one night. This death happens around the same time a group of American agricultural specialist and military personnel move in to the valley near the village and try to offer assistance and advice to enhanced crop choices and farming capability. No one is happy to welcome or work with the Americans, but the local bad guys and traffickers get angry at the village's small amount of hospitality.
Sofi eventually helps one of the female civilians during an attack, and the two women come to like and respect each other. The author does a lovely job of showing the Afghan village's way of life through the interactions of the women and through family dynamics. It is clear that the author believes that women's second class status can be very difficult and frustrating, especially if they are innately smart and inquisitive. I learned something new about this part of the world. We sometimes forget that many people there just want to live their lives and not wage war against those who are different.
A very insightful and well written novel about life in a small, secluded mountain Village in Afghanistan. Sofi is the mother of five boys and lives in a small mountain village in southern Afghanistan. She has a special touch when it comes to farming and growing things, but her life choices are very limited because she is uneducated and a women. Sofi must always bend to the will of the men in her life and keep her thoughts and dreams to herself. To fit in to the community families keep their private lives as private as they can.
Sofi's life changes dramatically when her oldest son dies suspiciously one night. This death happens around the same time a group of American agricultural specialist and military personnel move in to the valley near the village and try to offer assistance and advice to enhanced crop choices and farming capability. No one is happy to welcome or work with the Americans, but the local bad guys and traffickers get angry at the village's small amount of hospitality.
Sofi eventually helps one of the female civilians during an attack, and the two women come to like and respect each other. The author does a lovely job of showing the Afghan village's way of life through the interactions of the women and through family dynamics. It is clear that the author believes that women's second class status can be very difficult and frustrating, especially if they are innately smart and inquisitive. I learned something new about this part of the world. We sometimes forget that many people there just want to live their lives and not wage war against those who are different.
March 20, 2022
Fear of Beauty is a story of two cultures meeting. One is a small tribal village in Helmand, Afghanistan; the other is a group of agricultural aid specialists under the protection of the US Army. These are two very different perspectives but the one thing they have in common is infighting. A wheat specialist wants more forceful encouragement of adaptation from his side while a Taliban operative is pushing an unwilling village towards a more militant stance.
I did have lots of questions about the plot. Sofi, one of the main protagonists, is a village woman whose eldest son has just died in suspicious circumstances. Can she really learn to read in two weeks in between her responsibilities? (She is a wife and mother to four other sons.) And in what language is she learning? Mita, the aid worker who is teaching her, speaks poor Dari and Sofi has no English. Also, why was Mita so willing to believe Sofi’s stories and stay hidden when she knew people were searching for her? That alone didn’t make sense.
I read Fear of Beauty in the hopes of learning something about a way of life vastly different from mine but, because of my plot queries, I am left wondering just how accurate the other details are.
I did have lots of questions about the plot. Sofi, one of the main protagonists, is a village woman whose eldest son has just died in suspicious circumstances. Can she really learn to read in two weeks in between her responsibilities? (She is a wife and mother to four other sons.) And in what language is she learning? Mita, the aid worker who is teaching her, speaks poor Dari and Sofi has no English. Also, why was Mita so willing to believe Sofi’s stories and stay hidden when she knew people were searching for her? That alone didn’t make sense.
I read Fear of Beauty in the hopes of learning something about a way of life vastly different from mine but, because of my plot queries, I am left wondering just how accurate the other details are.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews