An American Bride in Kabul

By: Phyllis Chesler PhD

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Few westerners will ever be able to understand Muslim or Afghan society unless they are part of a Muslim family. Twenty years old and in love, Phyllis Chesler, a Jewish-American girl from Brooklyn, embarked on an adventure that has lasted for more than a half-century.

In 1961, when she arrived in Kabul with her Afghan bridegroom, authorities took away her American passport. Chesler was now the property of her husband's family and had no rights of citizenship. Back in Afghanistan, her husband, a wealthy, westernized foreign college student with dreams of reforming his country, reverted to traditional and tribal customs. Chesler found herself unexpectedly trapped in a posh polygamous family, with no chance of escape. She fought against her seclusion and lack of freedom, her Afghan family's attempts to convert her from Judaism to Islam, and her husband's wish to permanently tie her to the country through childbirth.

Drawing upon her personal diaries, Chesler recounts her ordeal, the nature of gender apartheid - and her longing to explore this beautiful, ancient, and exotic country and culture. Chesler nearly died there, but she managed to get out, returned to her studies in America and became an author and an ardent activist for women's rights throughout the world.

©2013 Phyllis Chesler (P)2019 Tantor

Westerners will not believe

The book is heartfelt, sad, eye opening and unbelievable. The writer’s personal emotions and the subjective emotions of her American and Afganistan friends and family do not leave anything to be guessed. It may be revealed in different parts but come together as cohesive revelations of her experience as a bride in Kabul.

Very quickly you are not reading a book but watching a movie with vivid images. The day-to-day existence of an American bride amidst the Afghanistan household women, men and a husband that changed when they crossed the border. Depictions of a beautiful country, shops, bazaars, fabrics and scenery.

She dabbles in the Eastern politics from people in the know and conclusions of people that had emotional investment in Afghanistan, including herself.

You have to respect Phyllis’ research into history, previous books written in the same genre, social environment and culture. This brings muscle to the book of a culture that western society will not believe unless told by the one that encountered it first hand.

I read many books in this genre and this one dances with the best of them.

Interesting story, but not as the title suggests

Having read a lot of stories about the women of Iraq and Iran, this one was more about the author’s political agenda. The first half was more about her being “an American bride” but the second half was more about establishing her political viewpoint. Yes, it was very interesting… I’m just saying that the title is misleading.

An Exceptional Book

Although I have listened to many books on Audible, this is my first review. "An American Bride in Kabul" deserves accolades. I was looking for a book that addressed the issue of misogyny around the world, and Phyllis Chesler does a brilliant job of describing the situation of most women in the Middle East. She tells her very interesting personal story but also provides a rich history of the people, the customs, and the religion, all well-documented and never boring. I am looking forward to reading (listening to) her other books.

great first few chapters

the chapters about life in kabul was very interesting, I expected more details about life in kabul. post the first half it got a little more monotonous. overall a good read

Incredible Insight

This account of Afghan women’s lives is so incredibly insightful, and not only from the author’s perspective. She did her best to describe what life was/is like for all Afghan women, from the bottom to the top, which unfortunately, is much the same. It is a tragedy that in this day and age women still must live this way. It was amazing to read what the author went through, overcame, and also what she has accomplished in her lifetime. Much to my surprise, she actually has held a relationship with her Afghan husband even after her time with him in Afghanistan. I don’t want to say too much but this long lasting relationship has only aided her in her writing journey. Must read for anyone trying to educate themselves in Afghanistan’s history.

Great true story

it's explaining the story from different angles and views. if you are prejudice it might turn a light on. if you are not, then you will simply learn more.