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Kabul Beauty School tells the story of Deborah Rodriguez, an American woman who decides to fly out to Afghanistan to aid relief workers after the ousting of the Taliban regime. In the midst of professional aid workers, doctors, and nurses, she finds herself very out of place- until that is, her contempories discover her talent- hairdressing. It is from here the Rodriguez decides to use her talent to help the people of Afghanistan in her own unique way. Since the fall of the Taliban, beauticians have had to either shut down, or work clandestinely, the shops traditionally having been viewed as brothel fronts. Rodriguez attaempts to introduce new life into the world of beauticians, and embarks on a campaign to not only reinvigorate the industry, but help train new workers, to bring new revenue into the country and help rebuild Afghanistan. Kabul Beauty School tells the story of her struggle, with threats on all sides, sometimes from the native government, the ever present insurgents, the new culture, and even her own people. This book is a very interesting perspective on a country many people know little about, originally including the author, and the depiction of her strength and ambition she uses to help the war torn state makes for a great read. I very much enjoyed Kabul Beauty School, sometimes it is difficult and painful to read the stories of the many lives of the women Rodriguez meets, but similarily to "The Kite Runner", the details only help to enhance an amazing perspective on a country deep with history and culture. Highly Recommended!Read full review
I bought this book thinking a book study group was going to read it and I wanted to join in. Found out I got the wrong book but decided to read it anyway. So glad I did! This book gives you a glimpse of challenges yet beauty of the Afghan women. Rodriguez comes to Afghanistan to teach the art of beauty but learns that true beauty comes from finding hope and courage in the midst of life's most challenging cicumstances. I was also inspired by the fearlessness and freedom of Rodriguez. She may not always be culturally sensitive but she is real and doesn't try to hide her flaws. As one who has also lived overseas, I can appreciate her foibles of cross-cultural learning.
I read a review in People Magazine about this book and was immediately attracted to it mainly because I am really trying to understand the culture in that part of the world and how it differs from ours and why there is so much resentment against our Western ways. Debbie does an extraordinary job at describing the predicament of women in Afganistan in the context of her personal experiences and complete immersion into the Afgan society (including an arranged marriage to an Afganee). She is able to connect with these women through the international language of beauty and the desire to improve oneself both on a personal level and offer the opportunity to earn an income and thus offer some autonomy and sense of self to women who are relegated to traditional Afgan customs which are very limiting (and very surprising to us women in the West). Each personal story left me in a state of "Oh my this is unbelievable"...that women are treated this way. God Bless Debbie for her tenacity and her humanity to dedicate her life to making other lives better. An incredibly courageous tale - both about her and her Beauty School Students.Read full review
Several pages were torn and taped.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I enjoyed reading this book, not only for a better insight of what it is like living in Afghanistan, but the colorful way an American hairdresser adjusts to living there. A recommended read.
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