Kabul Beauty School

An American Woman Goes behind the Veil

By: Deborah Rodriguez, Kristin Ohlson

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Most Westerners working in Afghanistan spend their time tucked inside a military compound or embassy. Not Deborah Rodriguez. Here, she tells the story of the beauty school she founded in the middle of Kabul and of the vibrant women who were her students.

When Rodriguez opened the Kabul Beauty School, she not only empowered her students with a new sense of autonomy but also made some of the closest friends of her life. Woven through the book are the stories of her students: the newlywed who must fake her virginity; the 12-year-old sold into marriage to pay her family's debts; and a woman who pursues her training despite her Taliban husband's constant beatings. They all bring their stories to the beauty school, where, along with Rodriguez herself, they learn the art of perms, friendship, and freedom.

©2007 Deborah Rodriguez-Turner (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"A terrific opening chapter - colorful, suspenseful, funny - ushers readers into the curious closed world of Afghan women." (Publishers Weekly)
"A lively narrative of the author's experiences reacquainting Afghan women with skills the mullahs had denied them....Terrifically readable, and rich in personal stories." (Kirkus Reviews)

ok - but not great

I enjoyed many parts of this book, especially the insights into the Afghan culture. I didn't think the book was particularly well written though as segments seemed to be stuck in wherever more detail was needed. The flow was a little bumpy. All in all, the book made me extremely thankful I wasn't an Afghan woman. Our book club decided that there are better books that address the topic of Afghan women.

Brave Woman!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book was recommend to me by another Audible listener and I've continued the trend. What captured me was the woman's bravery in relocating to this country right after the 911 attacks on the US.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character was so colorful and made wrong decisions like the rest of us. She didn't always think through her future plans, but that was why it was fun to peek into her life. I wanted to see how she handled her new marriage and culture and all the women she helped develop into wage earners in a culture where women do not work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but who has that kind of time. Rather, I made a date with the story everyday, which made my dog happy, as I tended to walk longer.

Any additional comments?

This review was by John's wife.

"Ordinary" people with regular backgrounds can...

and do influence the lives of those around us. If you are not bringing medicine or food or military support, are you helping? Can you help? This book answers the questions with a quiet "Yes". The beauty is that everyone has something to offer, and the dignity of a haircut can not be dismissed. War, poverty, displacement, uncertainty are elements in the life of many people. Self care becomes hard when you don't even know if you are going to have food that evening. The motivation to have good hygiene, the chance to be with other women, to talk about hair and makeup styles, allows a woman who is "just a hairdresser in the USA" to contribute to the health and well being of other women in the world. Too many of us think that we don't have what others need, but how do you define giving back fun, dignity, the support of friends? The ability to support yourself or contribute to your family and encourage others is the theme of this book, and it is a good listen.

Very good book club book

This was very good and an interesting view of the society in Afganistan. The narration by the author is good. Debbie Rodriguez is surrounded by much controversy for what she there. So it is interesting to hear "her" side of the story.

exceptionally good read

I throughly enjoyed this book. I also saw how a certain group lives their lives very differently from mine. learned and e joyed

Kabul's Gossip Central

While I enjoyed listening to this book, I felt like I couldn't entirely trust the writer. I wasn't sure what her motives were for going to Kabul or for marrying an Afghani man (or for leaving half-grown children back in the states, for that matter).

The writer's self-centred approach got in the way of the characters because each character was seen through a naive American lens that limited and flattened the residents of Kabul to stereotypical roles of warlords or former mujahadeen, victims of the Taliban ot helpless pawns in familial manoevering. Each episode she describes casts herself as the central American rescuer - facing up to kidnapping nasty neighbours, winning over unresponsive in-laws, saving the honour of not-so-virginal brides.

Overall, it isn't a substantial book - rather like the light-hearted (or occasionally mean-spirited) gossip of beauty salons everywhere.

Enlightening

While disturbing on one level (the treatment of women in Kabul), this book, a true story, illustrates the power of one person's devotion to
an idea (start a beauty school) and the power that it's culmination has on the participants. Also, the reader is really excellent, just perfect for this kind of story. Usually I enjoy Robert B Parker, Vince Flynn and John Sandford for their heroes but it is refreshing to read about a real life female hero.

Kabul Beauty School

I had just finished "Infidel" and then listened to this book, both are a must-read if you are interested in why we are having such problems in the middle East. I have a better understanding on Muslin religion. It is shocking to read/hear about what is (mostly NOT) accepted when we have so much freedom as women. I wish every woman would give this book a listen, strong storyline with a message.

An intriguing view of a place in the news

I loved the descriptions of the Afghan women, their hardships and daily life. I also found the protagonist quite interesting, in a good-hearted but flaky way. She is obviously very kind and courageous, but she also seems to have poor planning skills, a reckless nature and little sense that her actions could put other women at risk, sometimes of death. There are many unanswered questions (why is Debbie so carefree about abandoning her sons for one) and except for friendships and language skills, Debbie doesn't seem to have learned much from her adventure. Still, the story moves quickly, some of the Afghan women are unforgettable, and it does seem that Debbie helped bring hope to a group of women who really needed it.

Fascinating

Fascinating book. Would recommend to any woman living in the US. Absolutely could not put it down. Read in three days.