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Аз съм Малала

Malala Yousafzai,

Малала Юсафзаи,

Надежда Розова (Translator)

4.12 · Rating details · 454,008 ratings · 21,606 reviews

Родена съм в страна, създадена в полунощ. А когато едва не умрях, тъкмо преваляше пладне.
Преди една година тръгнах от къщи за училище и повече не се върнах. Прониза ме талибански куршум. Била съм изведена в безсъзнание от Пакистан със самолет. Някои хора твърдят, че никога няма да се върна у дома, но аз вярвам с цялото си сърце, че това ще стане.
Сега се намирам в страна, к Родена съм в страна, създадена в полунощ. А когато едва не умрях, тъкмо преваляше пладне.
Преди една година тръгнах от къщи за училище и повече не се върнах. Прониза ме талибански куршум. Била съм изведена в безсъзнание от Пакистан със самолет. Някои хора твърдят, че никога няма да се върна у дома, но аз вярвам с цялото си сърце, че това ще стане.
Сега се намирам в страна, която е с пет часа по-назад от скъпата ми родина и от дома ми в долината Суат. Моята страна обаче е по-назад не с часове, а с векове.

Когато талибаните завземат долината Суат в Пакистан, едно момиче надига глас срещу затварянето на девическите училища. Малала отказва да мълчи въпреки смъртните заплахи срещу семейството й. Още на единайсет години тя започва да праща кореспонденции до Би Би Си, за да може светът да види това красиво, но опустошено място през очите на едно дете. Двамата с баща й подемат открита кампания за правото на момичетата да учат. През октомври 2012 г. талибаните поръчват убийството на петнайсетгодишната Малала, която е простреляна в главата в училищния автобус. Като по чудо тя оцелява и се превръща в символ на борбата за свободен достъп до образование. През 2013 г. Малала е номинирана за Нобеловата награда за мир и получава наградата „Сахаров“. Днес тя защитава още по-смело каузата си въпреки продължаващите заплахи. Гласът й се чува както по световните форуми и в студентските аудитории, така и в бежанските лагери, които посещава. ...more

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Paperback, 336 pages

Published 2014 by Обсидиан (first published November 1st 2012)

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Oct 09, 2013 Diane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: religion, daily-show, education, nonfiction, inspirational, women, pakistan

Reading this book reminded me of how much I take for granted every day: Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The freedom to go to the store without needing a male escort. And the ability to get an education, regardless of gender.

"I was a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children."

Malala, who is now 16, is an outspoken advocate for girls to have the same r Reading this book reminded me of how much I take for granted every day: Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The freedom to go to the store without needing a male escort. And the ability to get an education, regardless of gender.

"I was a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children."

Malala, who is now 16, is an outspoken advocate for girls to have the same right to go to school as boys. In her native Pakistan, she lost that ability when the Taliban took over: "I was 10 when the Taliban came to our valley ... It seemed to us that the Taliban arrived in the night just like vampires. They appeared in groups, armed with knives and Kalashnikovs ... They looked so dark and dirty and that my father's friend described them as 'people deprived of baths and barbers.'"

The Taliban started bombing schools and decreed that girls couldn't get an education. Malala's father was a school principal and encouraged her to speak out. She was only 15 at the time, but threats were made against her and her family. And in October 2012, when she was riding the school bus with her friends, a man with a gun climbed aboard the vehicle and shot Malala in the head.

Amazingly, Malala survived the bullet and was able to recover. She and her family currently live in England, but Malala writes about how much she misses her home country and wishes she could return to be with her friends. Her graciousness was such that she did not wish revenge on her attacker, and instead prays for peace.

"I thank Allah for the hardworking doctors, for my recovery and for sending us to this world where we may struggle for our survival. Some people choose good ways and some choose bad ways. One person's bullet hit me. It swelled my brain, stole my hearing and cut the nerve of my left face in the space of a second. And after that one second there were millions of people praying for my life and talented doctors who gave me my body back. I was a good girl. In my heart I had only the desire to help people."

Malala's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I admire her courage and her tenacity, and also hope that her country will one day find peace. "Why are we Muslims fighting with each other? ... We should focus on practical issues. We have so many people in our country who are illiterate, and many women have no education at all. We live in a place where schools are blown up. We have no reliable electricity supply. Not a single day passes without the killing of at least one Pakistani."

The book is lovingly written, and I also appreciated her stories about the history of Pakistan and her people, the Pashtuns. While reading the book I realized that I knew more about the history of other countries in the region, such as Afghanistan, Iran and India, than I did about Pakistan, and it was very informative. I would highly recommend the book to anyone interested in women's rights, current events, history or inspirational memoirs.

"Today we all know education is our basic right. Not just in the West; Islam too has given us this right. Islam says every girl and every boy should go to school. In the Quran it is written, God wants us to have knowledge. He wants us to know why the sky is blue and about oceans and stars ... The Taliban could take our pens and books, but they couldn't stop our minds from thinking."

Update October 2014:
I was thrilled to hear that Malala had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work. I have recommended this book to numerous people in the past year, and am still amazed by her courage. Three cheers for Malala!
...more

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Nov 01, 2013 Tanya Tyson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Just to be clear, the rating is for the book not the person Malala herself. I read this quickly whilst on holidays and was keen to find out more about her story after seeing a short tv piece just before leaving home. I think her story is amazing and her courage remarkable, her plight and vision inspiring but the book itself I found to be an odd mix of political and historical fact and personal reflections that didn't quite gel for me. Still a worthy read and I really appreciated the insight into ...more

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Nov 20, 2018 Miranda Reads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.

Criticism be damned, I loved this book.

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl, was just fifteen years old when the Taliban decided she needed to be taken out.

That she was too dangerous to be alive.

That she was radical, sacrilegious and so much more.

And what did she do? What was the heinous, terrible actions that necessitated her being shot?

Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which

...more

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Dec 06, 2013 Summer rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, war

I really wanted to love this book. I don't think anyone can deny the difficulties this girl has faced or the impact she has had on the world. However, the book reads like an odd jumble of Pakistani history, politics, and personal experience that never quite comes together into a cohesive narrative. The first few chapters are very inconsistent and meander all over the place with no clear destination; it sounds more like a collection of memories or family stories interspersed with factual informat ...more

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Oct 13, 2013 Natasha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, very-good, goodreads-malaysia-2013-rc

Being a fellow Muslim, I was indeed intrigued and awed by the courage of this young girl who is brave enough to speak up about what is wrong with her country and strive for education to be available for all.

Coming from a country where education is a main priority and females overpopulated the men in schools, colleges and universities, I was indeed aghast to discovered that in certain parts of the world, women are being treated as second class citizens. It brought a tear to my eyes, how Malala an ...more

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Apr 25, 2018 Matthew rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, non-fiction, 2018, biography

These days it seems like our world is a giant game of telephone. Any news story or online gossip you hear is hard to believe because it has been skewed so much since it left the source. It is refreshing and enlightening to hear a story straight from the source - especially on the topic of life in the Middle East which is always quickly demonized in America. By experiencing Malala's story, it gives a true face to the people of Pakistan who are mostly wanting peace and prosperity, not oppression a ...more

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Feb 14, 2016 Cecily rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: biog-and-autobiog, god-religion-faith, indian-pakistani-heritage

In June 2020, Malala graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in PPE (Politics, Philosophy, Economics). The Oxford course has a remarkable number of famous politicians and public figures among its alumni, listed HERE. When the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic subsides, may the world be her oyster.

Image: Malala celebrating graduating, with her family (Source.)

Review from 2016

This is a powerful story about a child, but with topical, global relevance.

The media is full of alarming report ...more

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Nov 12, 2013 Limau Nipis rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 2013-reads, nook-simple-touch, wasting-my-time

I could not be bothered with negative comments. So, get on with your life. Just ignore the review if you think I write negatively.

I don't want to raise some sentiments here, so if your comments got deleted, like I wrote earlier, get on with your life.

Edited to include what I have wrote earlier in my comments on 4 December '13:

I do feel that this autobiography should have waited for a few years for Malala to have a much more distinctive voice.

Unfortunately, this was muted by the co author.

2.5 sta ...more

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Sep 14, 2014 Ali Khan rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Being resident of the area, Valley of Swat, where she lived (basically she is from the adjoining District Shangla whence her father came to Swat and established private school), I find the authenticity of the most of events described and actions claimed hard to believe (as do almost all the residents).
First there is the question of Local Talibans forcing girls from going to schools. That is not true. I was, as everyone else, a regular listener of the Taliban's daily half an hour or so long FM ra Being resident of the area, Valley of Swat, where she lived (basically she is from the adjoining District Shangla whence her father came to Swat and established private school), I find the authenticity of the most of events described and actions claimed hard to believe (as do almost all the residents).
First there is the question of Local Talibans forcing girls from going to schools. That is not true. I was, as everyone else, a regular listener of the Taliban's daily half an hour or so long FM radio broadcast and they only verbally 'forced' girls to wear proper veils when going to school, which was hardly an enforcement as the local culture is already extremely conscious of the 'veil' (Mala herself wears a scarf). However, to my knowledge they 'encouraged' girls to leave 'western' schools but they 'claimed' that after installing an Islamic government here in the area, they would set up proper 'exemplary' girls schools. In fact, in the local tribal society it is unthinkable to 'force' a woman or girl from doing or not doing something as it is tantamount to man-handling them, which is, frankly speaking, a sure way to get killed or beaten not only by relatives (distant or near) of the woman/girl but anyone who is nearby. Anyone here can testify to fact that on various occasions many 'individual' talibans were mercilessly beaten up by locals when they spoke to shopping women reproachfully. Additionally, the Talibans were locals (later they were joined by savages from central Asian region and Afghanistan but they kept to themselves) and they never held absolute power here.. As opposed to the official stance, the people of Swat never left their homes when Talibans were in control, as a matter of fact, they were 'forced' to leave when army started the operation by the army.

Secondly, Talibans were never in control of the city where Malala resided for so long as to impose their alleged rule. They entered the city in early May ( I was there buying DVDs with friends) by then the impending military operation had already caused educational institutions to close indefinitely. A week or ten days after the 'invasion' of the city (they, despite the hype, actually numbered not more than two or two and a half dozen who 'occupied' few private buildings and hotels) army entered the city. In any case, people started to leave the city after Taliban 'invasion' for fear of artillery and aerial bombardment by the army. Therefore, it highly unlikely that there were any female students still going to schools. This 'timing' problems also exist in her 'diary', dated January & February, which records the 'incidents' on her way to school. Valley Swat is officially a 'Winter Zone' and all educational institutions are closed for winter vacation on the 25th of December to 1st of March.

Thirdly, no one is aware of anyone raising their voice for the general cause of girls education at any point during the uprising in any way or on any forum (since there was nothing as such called for). However, I personally am aware of two occasions where a relative(s), affiliated with the Talibans, tried to stop daughters or sisters of close relatives from going to school and were physically forced to abstain from any such acts in the future.

I personally do not wish to malign anyone's reputation, especially not that of the adorable yet unfortunate Malala whose courage and personality I admire. However, as the history is been written, I would disapprove of any one who may, innocently, inadvertently or deliberately, represent truth in a distorted form. We were unfortunate enough to have had Talibans forced upon us, let us not be burdened with half-truths and tarnished representation.
I am not alone in these perception, everyone share them here. That was the reason that the students of prime Girls College in the city here refused their college to be named after Mala.. In fact, the allegedly' repressed young girls vociferously protested out the college any such decision that forced the army and official authorities to relent.

I am led to understand that there is a 'Malala Fund' with millions of dollars with the aim to spread girls education in my area.. May I respectfully ask when would a dollar from that money be spent here for the cause? ...more

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Aug 21, 2019 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 21th-century, non-fiction, memoir, biography, literature, pakistan

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban is an autobiographical book by Malala Yousafzai, co-written with Christina Lamb.

The book details the early life of Yousafzai, her father's ownership of schools and activism, the rise and fall of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan in Swat Valley and the assassination attempt made against Yousafzai, when I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban is an autobiographical book by Malala Yousafzai, co-written with Christina Lamb.

The book details the early life of Yousafzai, her father's ownership of schools and activism, the rise and fall of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan in Swat Valley and the assassination attempt made against Yousafzai, when she was aged 15, following her activism for female education.

It has received a positive critical reception and won awards, though it has been banned in many schools in Pakistan.

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و دوم ماه آگوست سال 2015میلادی

عنوان: من ملاله هستم؛ نویسنده: کریستینا لمب، ملاله یوسفزای؛ مترجم: هانیه چوپانی؛ تهران، کوله پشتی، 1393؛ در 344ص؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان پاکستانی - سده 21م

دختر نوجوان «ملاله یوسف‌زی»، «پاکستانی» در سال 2012میلادی، هنگامیکه از مدرسه به خانه باز می‌گشت، هدف گلوله ی تروریستها یا همان جنگجویان «طالبان» قرار گرفت؛ علت این ترور نافرجام، مخالفت‌های «ملاله» با احکام «طالبان پاکستان» درباره زنان، و دختران عنوان شده بود؛ با زخمی شدن «ملاله»، توجه افکار عمومی جهان به «ملاله»، خانواده‌ اش، و وضعیت زنان، در کشور «پاکستان» جلب شد؛ از آنجا که «طالبان» تهدید کرده بودند، که به محض بدست آوردن فرصت، دوباره به «ملاله» یورش خواهند برد، «ملاله» و خانواده‌ اش، برای درمان به «انگلستان» رفتند، و «ملاله» در آنجا بود، که دوباره سلامت خود را بازیافت؛

کتاب، شرح زندگی این دختر نوجوان «پاکستانی» است، که به قلم خود ایشان، و با یاری نویسنده ی روزنامه «ساندی تایمز»، نگاشته شده است؛ «ملاله»، پس از بهبودی، کوشش خود را، به عنوان فعال حقوق بشر، ادامه داده، و با حضور در مجامع گوناگون جهان، تلاش کرده، تا توجه جهان را به مشکلات زنان، و دختران، در «پاکستان» جلب نماید

نقل از متن: (من در سپیده‌ دم، در حالیکه آخرین ستاره چشمک می‌زد، متولد شدم؛ ما «پشتون‌»ها این نشانه را، بسیار خوش‌یمن می‌دانیم؛ پدرم برای مخارج بیمارستان، یا مامای خانگی، پول نداشت، بنابراین یکی از همسایه‌ ها، به ما کمک کرد؛ نخستین فرزند پدر و مادرم، مرده به دنیا آمده بود، اما من در حالی‌که فریاد می‌کشیدم، و لگد می‌زدم، بیرون آمدم؛ من دختر سرزمینی هستم، که تفنگ‌ها را، برای جشن تولد یک پسر، آتش می‌کنند، در حالی‌که دختران، پشت پرده‌ ای پنهان می‌شوند، و تنها نقش آنان، تهیه‌ ی غذا، و مراقبت از فرزندان است؛ برای اغلب «پشتون‌»ها، روز تولد یک دختر، بسیار غم‌ انگیز است؛ پسرعموی پدرم، «جهان شیرخان یوسفزی»، یکی از کسانی بود، که تولد مرا تبریک گفت، و حتی مبلغ قابل‌ توجهی، به پدر هدیه داد؛ او شجره‌ نامه‌ ی بزرگ خاندان ما را، به همراه خود آورده بود؛ «دلوخیل یوسفزی»، جد پدری من، تنها شاخه‌ ی مردان خاندان را، نشان می‌داد؛ «ضیاءالدین» پدرم، شبیه به هیچ‌ یک از مردان «پشتون» نیست؛ او شجره‌ نامه را گرفته، و یک خط، مانند آب نبات چوبی، از کنار نام خود ترسیم کرد، و در انتهای آن نوشت: «ملاله»؛ پسرعموی او، در حالی‌که شگفت‌ زده شده بود، خندید؛ اما پدر، به او توجهی نکرد؛ پدر می‌گوید، هنگامی که پس از تولدم، در چشمانم نگاه می‌کرده، شیفته‌ ی من شده بود؛ آن‌گاه به مردم می‌گفت: من می‌دانم این دختر، با بچه‌ های دیگر، فرق دارد؛ او حتی از دوستان و آشنایان خواست، که میوه‌ های خشک، شیرینی، و سکه در گهواره‌ ی من، بیاندازند، کاری که ما، تنها برای فرزندان پسر انجام می‌دهیم؛ نام من از «ملالی میوند»، شیرزن «افغانستان»، گرفته شد؛ «پشتون‌»ها قبایلی هستند، که میان «پاکستان» و «افغانستان»، تقسیم شده‌ اند؛ ما قرن‌هاست با قانونی به نام «پشتونوالی» زندگی می‌کنیم، که ما را وادار می‌کند، با همه ی مهمانان، خوش‌رفتاری کنیم، و مهم‌ترین ارزش در این قانون، ناموس است)»؛ پایان نقل

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 28/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی ...more

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Nov 07, 2013 L.J. Smith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

I absolutely loved this book. I have been following this story ever since Malala Yousafzai was shot and articles about her began to appear on CNN.com. I was always captivated by the way Malala spoke in interviews before she was attacked: I simply loved the sound of her voice and the sight of her face, which seemed to shine with her spirit. She might not think she is beautiful, but to me she is stunning. I adore the bright colors she wears and the liquid wonder of her eyes.

It was difficult to rea I absolutely loved this book. I have been following this story ever since Malala Yousafzai was shot and articles about her began to appear on CNN.com. I was always captivated by the way Malala spoke in interviews before she was attacked: I simply loved the sound of her voice and the sight of her face, which seemed to shine with her spirit. She might not think she is beautiful, but to me she is stunning. I adore the bright colors she wears and the liquid wonder of her eyes.

It was difficult to read about the shameful, cowardly attack on her, from her own POV. I empathized so much that it was painful to hear the details--some of which she could only describe as being what was told to her about the shooting.

On the other hand, I will always remember one statement she made. "A Talib fires three shots at point-blank range at three girls in a van and doesn’t kill any of them . . . I know God stopped me from going to the grave. It feels like this life is a second life. People prayed to God to spare me, and I was spared for a reason— to use my life for helping people."

It will always give me chills to think that it is amazing indeed that a Talib gunman fired three bullets, intending to kill one young girl--and that, unbelievably, he failed. I find it very hard to argue with the idea that Malala was, in fact, spared for a reason.

The parts I enjoyed most about this autobiography were the beginning and end, where Malala speaks about her home, the Swat Valley, and everything that she loved and was proud about there: from her amazing father who, unlike most Pashtuns, celebrated when his wife gave birth to a daughter, to her best friend Moniba, with whom she giggled and played with, and who was also her rival for top of the class at at Kahshul School.

When Malala described an ordinary day in her old life, fighting with her younger brothers, listening to the village women who would gather at her mother's in the afternoon, I was absolutely charmed. It seemed that there was no ghostwriter and that I could hear Malala's voice speaking the words aloud as clearly as I had heard her speak on videos about her mission to help all girls, everywhere, get an education. I was fascinated to read that Malala was named after the brave Malalai of Maiwand, the greatest heroine of Afghanistan, and startled and concerned to read about the Pashtunwali code, by which all Pashtuns live, which deals with honor, but which demands revenge in kind for any attack or killing and can lead to never-ending blood-feuds easily.

When it came to the terrifying attack and all that happened in its aftermath, I was glued to the book, reading page after page with breath-snatching speed. There was so much that I had never even imagined: the suffering of her parents after the shooting, the story of how they worried about ever seeing their daughter again once Malala was airlifted to England. I think that any reader from ten years on up could read and be just as captivated as I was. Although many parts of this story brought tears to my eyes I couldn't stop reading, and although I knew that Malala would make it I was white-knuckled while I learned about the details of her medical treatment.

The only part that seemed to bog down was the middle of the book, where Malala describes many political events in her homeland. In these it seemed that Malala’s voice was obscured and I rather quickly got lost in the details of which leader promised what and how this or that man became corrupt and never came through on their promises.

Even if you just skim through this part, the book is most definitely worth reading. I came to love Malala even more dearly than I could have imagined, and to admire and even envy the bond she had with her father, the man who was determined to open a school in which girls could be educated. I couldn't help but feel great affection for all Malala's family, her people, and everything in the beautiful valley she misses as she lives in exile.

I was hoping that Malala would win the Nobel Peace prize this year, not out of pity for someone who was a survivor of a hideous attack, but simply because I believe she has had an amazing effect on the world. She has brought together people from all over the globe in a way that I believe will have profound implications for the key to a better life for women in countries where it is currently against the law for girls to have a true education. I also thought that it would be stunning if the Nobel committee acknowledged that a teenager—a teenage girl—could have had so great a role in making people of different cultures understand each other.

But Malala has plenty of time, and I have no doubt that she will distinguish herself again and again with her moving speeches, her gentle, stubborn nature, and her unique view of life in years to come. I hope that there will be more books by Malala in the future about why education is so important for girls around the world.
Finally, I would like to say “Wah wah” to Malala about the entire autobiography. She says that this is what one says when a particular line or stanza of a poem pleases you, and is a bit like “Bravo.” Wah wah and Bravissima to Malala.
...more

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Oct 31, 2013 Aasem Bakhshi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, subcontinent, english-literature, owned

I would ask all those Pakistanis who are making the book controversial through over-sensationalized and misplaced critiques:

1. Please remove the lenses of bigotry and prejudice and read the book in a casual way. Its not a great book so comparisons with Anne Frank's diary are perhaps out of proportion. However, I would hate to speculate that it might be considered a great classic if Pakistan continues on its usual disastrous course and experience a people's tragedy comparable to holocaust. This I would ask all those Pakistanis who are making the book controversial through over-sensationalized and misplaced critiques:

1. Please remove the lenses of bigotry and prejudice and read the book in a casual way. Its not a great book so comparisons with Anne Frank's diary are perhaps out of proportion. However, I would hate to speculate that it might be considered a great classic if Pakistan continues on its usual disastrous course and experience a people's tragedy comparable to holocaust. This in my humble yet optimistic view is impossible, God willing.

2. It is not even a well-written work either; understandably so, since its from a young girl. Its just an ad lib commentary by a 16 year old girl which is most probably composed by Christina Lamb in readable English. Our so-called second grade media intellectuals who have issues with Lamb's reputation, well Yousufzai is not synonymous with Lamb. At least try to add a minimum possible of degree of objectivity in your criticism.

3. When you quote, please do so with the purpose of discussion and critique rather than ridicule. Please learn to read and understand the texts. They are meaningless and misleading without a context. Those who are calling it interpretation of her father's ideas, well what if I may ask is wrong with that? All 16-year olds think their fathers are cool. We, as fathers and mothers, have right to impart our version of goodness into our children. We may disagree with each others' views but disagreeing with other's interpretation of history, politics and social issues doesn't make one anti-Islam or anti-Pakistan.

4. It might be a very interesting work for western audience, specially when Lamb ostensibly lets Yousafzai speak (in my view Lamb has added historical and political bits to it where necessary for coherence of discourse), but have very little for Pakistani reader in terms of engagement with the text. However, what you must understand is that you are reading a very brave girl who can stand eye-to-eye with adversity and horrors in conditions where most of us would end up compromising with our liberty or would simply run away. She is a brave girl, mentored and taught life by an audacious father. We must be proud of her and listen her carefully since we have a young hero towards whom we can point our children to look-up to.

Lastly, lets try to read the same book the author has intended to write; please don't end up reading the book which you intend to criticize, apriori ...more

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Jan 27, 2014 Bionic Jean rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Bionic Jean by: Tracey

Shelves: auto-and-biography, non-fiction, religion-and-beliefs

A few days prior to her 18th birthday, Malala Yousafzai has returned to Oslo, to attend the Oslo Education Summit, insisting that all children worldwide have a right to education. Her defiant slogan claims, "Books not Bullets!"

Malala claims, "I measure the world in hope, not doubt" and "Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism". Last year in Oslo, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with another child rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi. They were honoured "for their str ...more

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Jan 07, 2016 Supratim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, favorites

I was caught in a dilemma as to what rating should I give this book. I vacillated between 4 and 5 but the message contained in the book made me give it a 5 star rating.

Needless to say this book chronicles the dreams, hardships and dangers faced by Malala - but it is much more than that - it also chronicles the hardships and dangers faced by the people of Swat and the people of entire Pakistan as well as.

The book begins about the day when the Talibans shot Malala and then goes on a flashback. We ...more

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May 12, 2015 Whitney Atkinson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, read-in-2015, made-me-cry, feminism, audiobook

3.5 stars

Malala is one of my idols and i've had my eye on this book for a very long time. I listened to this on audio, and the prologue of this is read by Malala herself. I cried three times just in that first half hour listening to her talk about her story.
For the first third of this book, I was convinced that I would be giving it five stars. I love what Malala stands for and I think we got such a vibrant description of her life and I loved that we got to know sort of "a day in the life of Mal ...more

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Sep 21, 2019 Reading_ Tam_ Ishly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is the story of Malala, the brave girl who defied fear and baseless traditions just to get educated. *Highlights:
🔸The place where she grew up in Pakistan: Swat has been described in detail
🔸Real pictures: lots of them; even the photos taken on the way after she was shot; during her treatment & after she got discharged from the hospital has been well documented
🔸Her father. I read the whole book in awe just beacuse of her father. The way he celebrated when she was born when everyone around was ...more

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Jan 02, 2014 Carmen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone

Shelves: traditionally-published, she-says, published2012, pakistani-author, non-fiction

This book was better than I thought it would be. To be honest, teenagers aren't usually good writers. I read Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board and wasn't very impressed, even though I think what happened to Bethany Hamilton was interesting.

Same thing here. Was this just going to be a case of "important/interesting subject matter, crappy writing?" I didn't know. I went into this rather hesitantly, with low expectations.

However, I was pleasantly sur This book was better than I thought it would be. To be honest, teenagers aren't usually good writers. I read Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board and wasn't very impressed, even though I think what happened to Bethany Hamilton was interesting.

Same thing here. Was this just going to be a case of "important/interesting subject matter, crappy writing?" I didn't know. I went into this rather hesitantly, with low expectations.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a supporting author on this, one Christina Lamb - who is one of Britain's leading foreign correspondents. Who knows how much of this book is Lamb and how much of it is Yousafzai, but who cares? I found it very informative, educational, and interesting.

It's not very emotional or rant-y or sappy - and that is going to upset some people. A friend of mine IRL who just finished this said it was 'boring.' He wanted more feelings and emotions from Yousafzai. I, however, was very pleased. I learned a lot about Pakistan, what it is like living under Taliban rule, and what life is like in the Middle East in general.

DO read this book if you are looking for an educational, easy-to-read, straight-talking look at life in the Middle East during turbulent times.

DO NOT read this book if you want weeping, sobbing, gnashing of teeth, or other emotional outbursts on the part of Yousafzai. Her ambition is to be a politician - and it shows. This is very much a politician's book. Even-keeled and conscious of saying the right thing and presenting the right face. I didn't mind this, but I could see how it would bother some people.

One plus is that the book has photos - I always enjoy non-fiction books more if they include photographs of the people involved. You can see many pictures of Yousafzai growing up, all her family members, the bus she was shot in, her in the hospital, etc. etc. I thought this added a lot to the book.

Yousafzai is very Muslim and is a very religious person - but she is also a great advocate for girls and women's education. It's important nowadays to separate the ideas of "Muslim" and "psychotic terrorist/religious extremist" in our minds, especially in the U.S. of A. and other countries in which it seems a strong anti-Muslim sentiment is growing. Reading this book will put a human face on Islam even if it does nothing else for you.

Tl;dr - I really enjoyed this - if only because I felt like I learned a lot from it. Yousafzai paints a vivid picture of what living in the Middle East in the 2000s is really like. Of course, I already knew what had happened to her and how her story would end... everyone knows her story. So there were no surprises for me here. This has been on my reading list for a long time and I'm glad to have finally read it. ...more

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Oct 12, 2013 Muhammad Syed rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Can not say

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Honestly this proved yet another attempt by this girl to cash in on fame and £££. All the time she kept on praising her dad, disparaged and belittled her country of orgin which I have serious doubts after reading this literature.

If she was so annoyed with Swat being a part of Pakistan why does not she openly say that I am not a daughter of Pakistan rather daughter of swat. She has further cemented the mistake West has made over the years. You see each area in Pakistan has its regional customs in ...more

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Jan 19, 2017 Riley added it · review of another edition

Malala is such an inspiration to me. Going into this book I already knew quite a bit about her but I loved hearing her first hand experiences. I also enjoyed learning more about this history and politics in Pakistan. I can see how this part might be boring to people, but being the history buff that I am I loved it.

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Nov 09, 2014 Elyse Walters rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Unless you've been living in a cave the past couple of years-- the name Malala Yousafzsi -- rings a bell with you.... The young heroine who first survived under chilling conditions - taken over by Taliban extremists... and how her entire family stayed afloat.

Malala is a stand for education. A stand for women and especially female children getting an education. Sincerely passionate about educational injustice --- taking a shot in the head for it----she became the youngest person ever to be nomin ...more

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Feb 10, 2019 Michael rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

Affecting but disjointed, I Am Malala recounts the extraordinary life of the internationally renowned Pakistani activist. Partially written by a ghostwriter, the memoir scans Malala’s childhood and adolescence as well as the recent history of Pakistan, but it addresses neither subject comprehensively. An excessive amount of information about Pakistani society is presented piecemeal, leaving much unclear; these passages overwhelm Malala’s own story, without ever giving a clear sense of the countr ...more

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May 20, 2018 Ginger rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, book-club

I'm not sure how to do a review for this book, but here goes!
The context and information was more in depth then I was expecting and I loved I Am Malala.

While reading this, I realized that being an American woman is such a privilege.
I've never had to struggle and survive for education, not having the right to vote or even walk alone into a store to shop. I've always had freedom, free speech and democracy for the things that I take for granted.

After reading this book, I've realized getting first ...more

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Jan 06, 2016 Ayesha rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: bilkul-bakwas-thi, 2016, non-fiction

EDIT: 6/9/2016
---The people who are bashing me, Kindly take a look at the quotes or in the comment section. After some of the gif-y juvenile opinions, the discussion is rather educating.

Dearest Malaala,

---Why did you write an emotionally manipulative story specifically directed at international readers and compelling them to feel sorry about a nation using the lethal weapon of exaggeration and one sided execution of truth.I always thought why Malaala and not someone else as everything about you ...more

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Nov 11, 2013 Vikas Lather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Malala is the symbol of enlightenment in modern age. It is very strange to have an inspiration younger than I'm :)
I feel extreme shame for fanatic regimes for banning this book. It is very sad that homicidal and illiterate people continue to dictate what adult minds should write,read and speak ...more

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Aug 22, 2019 W added it · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

"I was born in a country that was created after midnight,I was shot just after midday". So begins the introduction to the Malala Yousufzai/Christina Lamb bestseller,which sold millions and millions of copies around the world. And I,as a Pakistani wasn't too thrilled to read this line.

At first I didn't even want to read it,but curiosity got the better of me,when I found it online. I'll say this,it was interesting enough,for me to keep reading till the end. But whether I liked it,is another matte "I was born in a country that was created after midnight,I was shot just after midday". So begins the introduction to the Malala Yousufzai/Christina Lamb bestseller,which sold millions and millions of copies around the world. And I,as a Pakistani wasn't too thrilled to read this line.

At first I didn't even want to read it,but curiosity got the better of me,when I found it online. I'll say this,it was interesting enough,for me to keep reading till the end. But whether I liked it,is another matter altogether.

The constant media spotlight accompanying this girl made me sick and tired of her. First,it was Pakistan's sensation hungry news media,which couldn't stop talking about her,and later her story was picked up by western media,to give her the kind of fame she couldn't
have dreamt about,in her wildest dreams.

Her father,deserves some awards of his own for helping make her so famous. But at the same time,he pushed her into harm's way,willingly. The situation at the time in Swat Valley,was pretty desperate.Yet,she was made highly visible to the Taliban,through her appearances on Pakistani news channels,which thrive on sensationalism.

As for the book,it isn't really her voice.Much of the book is not even her story. It is the cynical voice of veteran journalist,Christina Lamb,and her commentary on Pakistan's recent history.Lamb's antipathy towards Pakistan is apparent in her earlier books as well. The description of the Taliban take over of Swat,and the atrocities committed by them,is worth reading however.
There are several off-putting statements,including one that Swat Valley,should not be part of Pakistan.

The book is very critical of Pakistan's military,even though they saved Malala's life,by giving her the best possible treatment in their hospitals,at the most critical time.
They also bailed her father out financially,but she is dismissive of that.The manner in which the donation was solicited,also shows how comfortable the father were daughter duo,were doing this,from the very start. This would,later become very big business for them.

Malala is full of her own praise as well,throughout the book,stating her ambition to become a politician. I couldn't believe it,when she was handed the Nobel Peace Prize. She met Barack Obama,while Pakistan's President at the time,Asif Zardari,was denied. There is clearly more to Malala's story,than meets the eye,or is given in the book.

She and her father, are self-serving,opportunistic figures,who have milked their story for all it's worth. Malala is also a deeply polarizing figure,she inspires fanatical devotion,as well as intense dislike. Their hunger for publicity knows no limits.That fame, however,can be a double edged sword.

The global celebrity,the Nobel Peace Prize and audiences with world leaders have created a larger than life persona,which she doesn't really deserve.
Whatever she has gone through,has to be kept in perspective,but has been blown out of all proportion.

Postscript : The book does not make any mention of the financial bonanza enjoyed by Malala and her family. The Nobel Prize is worth 1.1 million dollars. Malala reportedly charges 1,52,000 dollars per appearance on the global speaker circuit.The Malala Fund reportedly receives 4 million dollars per year,in grants and donations.There have been innumerable other grants and awards. This clearly has become big business,rather than an altruistic campaign for girls' education,as portrayed by the world's media. ...more

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Nov 26, 2015 Joey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: autobiographies

“I don't want to be thought of as the "girl who was shot by the Taliban" but the "girl who fought for education." This is the cause to which I want to devote my life.”
― Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

The day Malala was in the news headlines catching the attention of the world , I remembered myself back on my younger years when I was still so idealistic, wanted to make a big difference by helping survive the dying Mother Earth and ed “I don't want to be thought of as the "girl who was shot by the Taliban" but the "girl who fought for education." This is the cause to which I want to devote my life.”
― Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

The day Malala was in the news headlines catching the attention of the world , I remembered myself back on my younger years when I was still so idealistic, wanted to make a big difference by helping survive the dying Mother Earth and educate the youth as well. Malala invigorated that desire. Then, I kept track of her personal life . I watched her on CBS news and even her speeches and TV guest appearances on Youtube. I will not forget her speech at the U.N where she expressed her desire to continue her fight for girls' right to education. In fact,her closing statement marked in my memory, “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” Her speech made me cry and clap many times as though I belonged to the audience in the chamber surrounding her in awe.Then in 2013, her autobiography was launched . However, I was so frustrated that I was not able to buy it yet because of its exorbitant price. After a few years, I’ve got my own copy and read it with gusto. In the end, I fathomed Malala more. I was moved to the bone and shattered at my reading chair.

I revere Malala not only because she was shot by Taliban for speaking up for the right of girls but also because she was very young , at the age of 16 , to get silenced. I may sound ignorant of the current and affairs around the world, but who can imagine that a young girl like her living in one of the tumultuous lands on earth was able to stand up to a group who could have almost killed her? I have known some admiring people who have been staunch for their causes, but so far Malala is one of the most incredible persons I have known in my generation.

Reading this book sounds like the author is an old adult who has grown up a lot , for she is too mature to speak of the miserable situations in the world. She is so smart that she understands her rights. However, you may realize that the author turns out to be as young as your niece or cousin - Malala is also an ordinary girl like the other girls playing outdoor games, fond of watching romantic movies and dramas, interested in reading books . Think of her as a young lady, but take her seriously. She really means business.

Aside from the fact that she has the courage of her own convictions, there are the other sides of Malala that made me grin from ear to ear. She likes studying a lot. She is always eager to learn the things she has not understood yet. That is why she is academically competitive but intellectually humble. In fact, she likes History and Physics. The cute thing is she is a big fan of Twilight and other books about vampires. Also, she likes journalistic writing and is a nature lover as well. But the most important thing I have learned from her is to stand up for your rights.

Before, I wanted to be an environmentalist. I wanted to help the famous Filipino environmentalist, Chin-Chin Gutierez, on her advocacy of surviving the Mother Earth. I started in little ways. However, I lost interest and courage to do so when everything in our society turns out to be so powerful that I could be run over. Nevertheless, when I read Malala's story, since then, I said I want to do it again. I hope I can do it again, for life on this earth is so infinitesimal.

“Life isn't just about taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide.”
― Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban ...more

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Aug 01, 2013 Sasha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday October 9, 2012, she almost paid the ultimate price. When she was shot in the head at point blank range while riding the bus home from school, few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in Northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New Yor ...more

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Jan 17, 2014 Thomas rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, biography-or-memoir

3.5 stars

Malala Yousafzai inspires me so much. Her human rights advocacy for education and for women has transformed into an international movement; her courage to keep fighting after getting shot exemplifies her heroism. Her voice has reached so many and has influenced history. She has impacted the world by speaking out, and she writes about her father's support as well, adding back story to her honest desire to make a difference in the realm of Pakistani politics and female education.

Saying al ...more

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Feb 16, 2021 Nicole rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, non-fiction, humanitarian, 2021, biography

Malala’s journey is admirable but there was a clearly another biased voice in this book. Not sure if I’m going to review this book especially since I don’t know enough about the Taliban in Pakistan and the political climate. Maybe when I read more about it. I also had no idea her father played such a huge part?? Maybe I was hoping for more initiative from her end. Still, I’m glad I read this book already -even if years late (also would’ve been better if Malala didn’t have a book written at such ...more

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Mar 09, 2014 Jamise rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kuyh-botm

I did not enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. I felt like I was in an agonizing history class that would never end. With over 50% dedicated to the history of Pakistan, government structure, and the Taliban, I was well irritated with not having more focus on Malala. I do understand that the background was needed, I just felt that could have been done in less time. I enjoyed the last 75 pages as more details were given on Malala's shooting, recovery and strength. I love her passion and courage ...more

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About Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai

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Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially education of women in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has since grown into an international movement.