
Latifa was born into an educated middle-class Afghan family in Kabul in 1980. She dreamed of one day of becoming a journalist, she was interested in fashion, movies and friends. Her father was in the import/export business and her mother was a doctor.
Then in September 1996, Taliban soldiers seized power in Kabul. From that moment, Latifa, just 16 years old became a prisoner in her own home. Her school was closed. Her mother was banned from working. The simplest and most basic freedoms - walking down the street, looking out a window - were no longer hers. She was now forced to wear a chadri.
My Forbidden Face provides a poignant and highly personal account of life under the Taliban regime. With painful honesty and clarity Latifa describes the way she watched her world falling apart, in the name of a fanatical interpretation of a faith that she could not comprehend. Her voice captures a lost innocence, but also echoes her determination to live in freedom and hope.
Earlier this year, Latifa and her parents escaped Afghanistan with the help of a French-based Afghan resistance group.
Then in September 1996, Taliban soldiers seized power in Kabul. From that moment, Latifa, just 16 years old became a prisoner in her own home. Her school was closed. Her mother was banned from working. The simplest and most basic freedoms - walking down the street, looking out a window - were no longer hers. She was now forced to wear a chadri.
My Forbidden Face provides a poignant and highly personal account of life under the Taliban regime. With painful honesty and clarity Latifa describes the way she watched her world falling apart, in the name of a fanatical interpretation of a faith that she could not comprehend. Her voice captures a lost innocence, but also echoes her determination to live in freedom and hope.
Earlier this year, Latifa and her parents escaped Afghanistan with the help of a French-based Afghan resistance group.
Publisher:
New York : Talk Miramax/Hyperion, c2001.
ISBN:
9781860499616
1860499619
9781401359256
1401359256
9780786869015
0786869011
1860499619
9781401359256
1401359256
9780786869015
0786869011
Characteristics:
xi, 210 p. :,map ;,22 cm.
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Add a CommentThis is one of my favourite books I have ever read. The book gives a lot of insight into the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan and the restrictions placed on one and the impact this had on her and her family including her mother becoming severely depressed.
Engaging and surprisingly easy to read. I stayed up all night and devoured this in less than 24 hours. It is told from a somewhat childlike point of view, refreshing and truthful. Sometimes makes you feel like there are parts of the story missing. The story is her own. A good intro to a part of Afghan culture.
A chilling account of a loss of freedom under the Taliban. Interesting to hear the author still so passionate about wanting to eventually go back to Afghanistan to help with rebuilding of this war torn country.