The book gives a perspective on the taliban ruled Afghanistan. Mainly a western woman’s perspective. The book is eye opening. After a while it is quite repetitive. 

i’ve recently been on an adventure with afghani media / media about afghanistan, and i believe this was a good addition to my roster—although it took me a minute to read.

i understand why the author never talked about how she interacted with the members of the family, though i wish she did. something like “i witnessed this all beneath my burka.” or “the visitors of sultan talked unawares a norwegian reporter—a woman at that—sat listening just one room over.” idk im not the author but as a reader i’m curious how she heard some conversations. i know she said about of it was told to her but she also mentioned being present for some. it would’ve appeased some of my curiosity 

i also liked how the author didn’t insert her own opinions either. there was one part i can’t quite remember off the top of my head where i felt a bit of the authors voice, but i feel like us as readers were all thinking the same thing anyway; “this is crazy.” by leaving out her voice, i was able to really put myself in the minds of these people and try to rationalize their pov. one of the things i like to do when reading books like this is really get in the mindset of the charas/people, assume they’re morally correct, and once the book is over digest their actions. it make it a lot easier when the author isn’t making their opinions known 

anyways, i highly recommend this book if, like me, you are on a hunt to read about more POVs and societies you hear almost nothing about

This book is very informative about how Afghan people live their lifes through the eyes of a ordinary family. The author showed that even after the Taliban left some things didn't change as much as one would thing - especially when it's about women and women rights. The author exposes how things were after the September 11, but she didn't go deep into that and rather focus on women issues using the women in Sultan's family to do so. The women has no choice but to marry to a men that their families choose for her - and I doesn't matter if they are as young as 16. When married, they have to take care of both the cause and the husband (and the children) - and sometimes the husband will marry again, which forces them to accept a (most of the times) undesired polygamy relationship. The problems are many and the author doesn't hold back on giving this women a voice. The books was good to learn but as wasn't something that I enjoyed very much, the character really didn't stuck with me with the exception of one of the women. I feel like this book is one that everyone should read to better understand the situation in Afghanistan (especially if you consider yourself a feminist), but do it with the consideration that we are seeing this through the lenses of a Norwegian journalist and, even though she writes what the family tells her, there is still the possibility that her writing can be biased.