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A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story

Qais Akbar Omar

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Nov 16, 2022 Sunflower rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-books, non-fiction-read-2022

This is exactly what the title says: an afghan family story. And the last quote sums it up : " I have long carried this load of griefs in the cage of my heart. Now I have given them to you. I hope you are strong enough to hold them".
Yes, Qais, not only strong enough but in awe of what your family went through and survived.
Outside of Afghanistan (incidentally a country I have always wanted to visit, but wouldn't dare) we have heard about the invasions, the brutality, the counter-invasions, and t ...more

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Aug 29, 2014 Amy rated it it was amazing

This is a powerful book, a memoir of the author's childhood in war-ravaged Afghanistan. To call what Omar endures "hardships" would be a vast understatement, yet he recounts his story without self-pity, and looks to the future with hope. A magnificent book. ...more

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Jan 17, 2014 Wes F rated it really liked it

Loved this memoir which gives you incredible insights into what it was like living in Kabul during the horrible Mujahedin Civil War and then the Taliban. Some very, very tough scenes and memories. Shows you the amazing lengths that folks will persevere for their families/relatives, despite the cruelest and most horrible circumstances. Also shows how tenacious they can be to make something out of nothing and survive--with good humor.

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