LondaLocs

Fawzia Koofi started life unwanted and was left to die as an infant, but somehow her spirit was too strong and too stubborn to be snuffed out so soon. She would survive many more close calls as she grew up and became the woman she is today.

She tells the story of her life in Afghanistan during the late 70's until the present, and through her eyes, the reader is a witness to the atrocities of war and civil unrest. She is a member of a privledged well connected family, but even her famliy's status did not protect her from multiple heartaches.If one didn't already know how inhumane the Taliban was before reading this memoir, they definitely would by the end of the book.

I was struck by how much family meant to the Koofi klan. They take the bonds and responsiblities of family ties very seriously. Even extended family is respected and they try to do everything in their power to help one another even if they don't really 'know' each other well. I found that admirable. In the book, Fawzia started each chapter with a letter to her daugthers. Although some readers have not really appreciated the letters, I thought they were poignant and revealed a lot about Ms Koofi. It also highlighted the fact that as a female politician she is subject to death threats constantly, and wants to leave 'her written voice' for her daughters if they should ever be denied her actual one.

I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get a better look at the real Afghanistan and not just the one presented on television.
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I received this book a a goodreads giveaway. My review is unbiased.