The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

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

De: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Narrado por: Sarah Zimmerman

""We're far more accustomed to—and comfortable with—seeing women portrayed as victims of war who deserve our sympathy rather than as resilient survivors who demand our respect…""

Former ABC journalist Gayle Tzemach Lemmon tells the riveting true story of Kamila Sidiqi and other women of Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s fearful rise to power. In what Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, calls “one of the most inspiring books I have ever read,” Lemmon recounts with novelistic vividness the true story of a fearless young woman who not only reinvented herself as an entrepreneur to save her family but, in the face of ferocious opposition, brought hope to the lives of dozens of women in war-torn Kabul.

Excellent Listen

For someone whose knowledge of the Taliban in Afghanistan mostly came from the evening news and Newsweek, this is a personal account of extraordinary women quietly living within a system and taking care of themselves and their families through a collective effort and the determination of a strong and courageous woman. The story is not heavy with political or governmental details, rather it is from the perspective of a family and its neighbors looking after one another while living under Taliban rule. Zimmerman's reading was tempered and consistent; she let the story speak for itself.

Inspiring

I'm a big fan of entrepreneurship. Reading about the courage, drive & thoughtfulness of these sisters who start a dressmaking business while under Taliban rule was amazing. This is a remarkable family & I so enjoyed reading about how their lives transformed in so many ways.

I was hooked from the first 5mins

What made the experience of listening to The Dressmaker of Khair Khana the most enjoyable?

I enjoy hearing about the life these girls had to lead and how they found a way to live withing the endless rules that had been placed on them...it was good to hear triumph over the odds.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kamila, the way she approaches things and deals with what comes to her is wonderful.

What does Sarah Zimmerman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I find the readers voice entrancing and she keeps you focused on the story and you want to hear more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried through the book, the girls had their moments but the descriptions of what happed to some was heartbreaking for me and unlike who told the story I wasn't there so imagine how they felt.

Any additional comments?

It is well worth a listen I found the whole thing uplifting so now if I think I am having a tough time I just remember what they lived through and I can see I am not really doing it tough.

Everyone needs to read this

I had no idea of history of this country..i am amazed at the strength and faith of this family..i want to eat naa and chai tea and sew this them...true heroines..everyone who wants to own a business or teach needs to read this book.

The Women of Afghanistan are Amazing!

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

This was a wonderful real life tale. The women portrayed in this were amazing and the author and narrator keep you engaged through out. I felt the fear and the betrayal of a country turned against it's own citizens, but also an appreciation of why events unfolded the way they did. It helped me understand what it felt like to have the taliban take over your neighborhood and the women shut into their homes, only to find a way to keep themselves occupied as well as make a living in such an environment! This really is a must listen to for anyone interested in women in Afghanistan and their survival and strength. I was in awe.

What other book might you compare The Dressmaker of Khair Khana to and why?

The Kite Runner

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Taliban regime had just taken over and how it affected the women.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had many "drive way" moments where I couldn't get out of my car because I wanted to listen to the end of a chapter.

beautiful!

The story was easy to follow and could understand clearly. I was just doing this for summer reading but I really enjoyed the book.

Follow your passions

A powerful book written to show how resourceful women became during a war when the Taliban ruled Kabul and essentially imposed restrictions to survive. The author wrote the details of a young woman who had the courage to support her family as their income dwindled to below sustainable as men fled or fought, and women were house bound. I enjoyed the book, emotionally feeling inspired to not give up. We are blessed to live in a community with many resources and non profit organizations that support women and families.

A story for the world to read

This true story is one that applies to the world as we know it today and should be read by everyone.
We are all one and what apples to one part of the world applies to everywhere
We should realize that our world as we knew it is gone and should strive to apply what we have just learned by reading this story and work to make the world a better place to live together.

illuminating and readable too

with the present-day demonization of Muslims I think this is an excellent book for all to read. I have spent some time in the Middle East . returning home to the kinds of things that are going on in the United States against Muslim people has dismayed me. this book is about children who survived the occupation of Afghanistan by radical rabid Muslim men. had there been a journalist in the early days of Christianity writing about a family without mother or father surviving the Spanish Inquisition it could be no more contemporary.

Women will always find a way..........

If you could sum up The Dressmaker of Khair Khana in three words, what would they be?

courageous, bold and innovative

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana?

The part where they are on a bus without a male attendant. I was impressed with the way Camil talked her way out of her predicament.

What does Sarah Zimmerman bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

With this book and others, the narrator brings mood, emotion and brings the characters to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was impressed with the outcome - I fully expected something to go very wrong. I had a hard time trying to put myself in the situations the women were in. I was angry with the Taliban and hoped they would be taken over.