The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe

By: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

The life Kamila Sidiqi had known changed overnight when the Taliban seized control of the city of Kabul. After receiving a teaching degree during the civil war - a rare achievement for any Afghan woman - Kamila was subsequently banned from school and confined to her home. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Kamila became the sole breadwinner for her five siblings. Armed only with grit and determination, she picked up a needle and thread and created a thriving business of her own.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana tells the incredible true story of this unlikely entrepreneur who mobilized her community under the Taliban. Former ABC Newsreporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon spent years on the ground reporting Kamila's story, and the result is an unusually intimate and unsanitized look at the daily lives of women in Afghanistan. These women are not victims; they are the glue that holds families together; they are the backbone and the heart of their nation.

Afghanistan's future remains uncertain as debates over withdrawal timelines dominate the news. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana moves beyond the headlines to transport you to an Afghanistan you have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi's journey will inspire you, but it will also change the way you think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.

©2011 Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved every minute of it!

Where does The Dressmaker of Khair Khana rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best audio books I've listened to. I couldn't wait to get back in the car!

Amazing look into a family of strong women

I so enjoyed hearing the details of the struggle of women in Afghanistan. I find we in America miss some of the details of the condition of our sisters around the world. Thank you Gayle for bringing the story to the world

Little bit of a letdown

Where does The Dressmaker of Khair Khana rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Mediocre

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Cultural aspects were interesting.

Any additional comments?

I thought it could have been written better. Seemed like a documentary.

Fantastic!

Fantastic story and performance - just like all of Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s books! Another highly recommended work!

Kamalah

I liked how it was written and narrated. Kamala inspires me! I loved the tenacity of the family.

Interesting & Enjoyable

This book gives great insight into how woman lived in Afghanistan during the Taliban years. They are loving, wonderful, & amazing. I think the reader did a great job and I enjoyed this book a lot.

Truly Enlightening!

I am very glad I listened to this true story. I learned quite a bit about the Afghan culture that I never really understood before. This is not a depressing story, however. It does not contain unbearable violence as other books with a similar subject have. It is uplifting, and a very rewarding listen.

The story is really quite heroic considering the limitations of citizens, especially women, under the Taliban rule. We can not really understand the enormity of everything Kamila accomplished because we cannot imagine living in such horrible times. She is clearly an amazing woman.

The book is well written, and the narrator is excellent. I highly recommend to anyone who is considering the purchase--

Really good, but I guess I was expecting ...

I guess I was expecting something on the order of "The Kite Runner." Didn't realize it was not a novel. Still, once I realized it was a true story it didn't quite come up to "Three Cups of Tea" in its ability to capture my attention. I enjoyed it, I was not bored, but somehow it was not powerful enough a narrative to push me over the "3 Star" mark

wonderful perseverance story

would appreciate hearing a 2021 update to how the families are adjusting once again to life under the Taliban

Much needed hope and energy for any woman

Sisterhood of faith, energy and education are priceless and build something that never ends when we help each other.