Infidel in Multiculturalism in YA,Fantasy, Sci FI,Paranormal and fun books ;p

Aug 16, 2015 Crystal added it

Shelves: nonfiction, biography, memoir, diversity-on-the-shelf-2015, religion, africa

This was certainly a new perspective for me. I have not heard about Islam from this viewpoint before. Once started, I had difficulty putting the book down. The development of her personal beliefs was interesting. I appreciated her need to ask questions and try to match what she was learning about Islam to what she saw in her daily life growing up.

I don't know if I share the same beliefs or agree with all of her political views, but there is no doubt that she is a brave person and admire her wil ...more

Like · see review

Feb 10, 2017 Abby Goldsmith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, cults-and-religion, african-or-black-experience, slavery, war, survival, memoir

This book grabbed a lot of attention worldwide, and I think it deserves even more attention than it got. If you love reading history or philosophy, Ayaan makes it inescapably relevant to the world we live in today. She does it in an autobiographical format, but I think that's necessary in order to show the contrast between Western civilization and the war-torn countries where she grew up. She seems like a time traveler, but since she shares so many painfully honest personal details, there is no This book grabbed a lot of attention worldwide, and I think it deserves even more attention than it got. If you love reading history or philosophy, Ayaan makes it inescapably relevant to the world we live in today. She does it in an autobiographical format, but I think that's necessary in order to show the contrast between Western civilization and the war-torn countries where she grew up. She seems like a time traveler, but since she shares so many painfully honest personal details, there is no escaping the truth. Her story is real, and she has given a voice to billions of girls and women who remain voiceless, as they continue to value constant submission.

I am blown away by this book and the woman who wrote it. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

If you're hesitant to read it because you'd rather not delve into graphic brutality and child abuse, rest assured that there is a lot more to this book. About 40% of the book (the last part) is about the evolution of her sense of self, and her awakening to philosophy, atheism, and politics. Although her childhood was undeniably horrible, she makes it clear that it was normalized in her part of the world, and there were many who had it worse. She also had advantages that many of her peers lacked: 1) Her family moved to many different nations, so she was exposed to diverse belief systems, which caused her to ask questions and nurtured her curiosity. 2) Without a close male guardian, she was able to put off marriage and therefore avoid being trapped by the obligations of a family. 3) She was literate as a child, unlike many of her classmates. And super smart, although she comes across as humble. Books from the Western world had a huge impact on her childhood imagination, and I loved reading about that.

I was touched by the wrap-up of this book. Ayaan mentions that while many fundamentalisms denounce her and want to murder her, she has also received secret letters of support from Muslim women who dare not openly agree with her views. She is doing a great deal to change the world.

She is a champion for values that too many people dismiss as unimportant: Basic human rights. Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness. If you believe that all human beings are entitled to these rights, no matter where they live, then you will love Ayaan Hirsi Ali's world-view. ...more

Like · see review