Πίσω από την μπούρκα

by Batya Swift Yasgur, Αλέξης Εμμανουήλ (Translator)

Χωρίς πρόσωπο, πίσω από την μπούρκα, στο σκληρό κι απάνθρωπο καθεστώς των Ταλιμπάν, οι γυναίκες του Αφγανιστάν, για δεκαετίες, δεν είχαν ούτε φωνή. Επί είκοσι χρόνια, δύο γενιές Αφγανών γυναικών έζησαν σε συνθήκες στέρησης και καταπίεσης άγνωστες και αδιανόητες στο Δυτικό κόσμο.
Πίσω από την μπούρκα είναι η ιστορία δύο αδελφών που η δίψα τους για ελευθερία και ανεξαρτησία τις όπλισε με απίστευτο θάρρος και τους έδωσε τη δύναμη να αψηφήσουν το πολιτικό και θρησκευτικό καθεστώς της χώρας τους.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East, Memoir, Biography, Asia, Sociology, Religion

440 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good but difficult book to read. It flowed well and I was able to read it quickly in spurts. I want a follow up, frankly, to know how they are doing now.

[Mariarosaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho da poco terminato un libro purtroppo non edito in italiano: “Behind the Burqa. Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom”, scritto da Batya Yasgur.
È la storia vera di due sorelle afghane, Sulima e Hala, impegnate nella lotta per l’emancipazione delle donne in Afghanistan: la prima durante la Rivoluzione Islamica, la seconda durante il Regime Talebano. Entrambe cercheranno di fuggire da una condanna a morte chiedendo asilo politico (non esattamente in modo legale) agli Stati Uniti.

Le loro vicissitudini dolorosissime, raccontate all’autrice-giornalista che le ha intervistate, ci parlano di diritti calpestati in Asia, ma anche di integralismo religioso, violenza fisica e psicologica, abusi familiari, sradicamento in terra straniera, strisciante razzismo contro tutti gli immigrati medio-orientali in America all’indomani dell’attacco terroristico alle Torri Gemelle durante l’11 settembre.

È una di quelle narrazioni che fanno dissolvere nella totale insignificanza i nostri piccoli problemi quotidiani, se raffrontati agli ostacoli insormontabili e alle lotte per la sopravvivenza che vivono i rifugiati sulla loro pelle, che patiscono fame, miseria, viaggi estenuanti, umiliazioni e vessazioni.
Dopo aver letto un libro di questo genere, sembra quasi un miracolo sapere che noi donne occidentali viviamo in una democrazia al pari degli uomini (sebbene non sempre questa funzioni alla perfezione), che siamo libere di viaggiare, di vestirci senza nessun capo di abbigliamento che ci nasconda il volto o ci impedisca i movimenti. Siamo libere di istruirci, di formarci un’opinione politica o religiosa, di esprimerla liberamente. Libere di sposare chi vogliamo, di divorziare senza la paura di essere lapidate in mezzo ad una strada.

Non diamo mai per scontato queste cose.
“Behind the Burqa” è una testimonianza importantissima: leggetela.

[Andrea Nestor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I related to Sulima’s story, one of domestic violence that started in Afghanistan and traveled with her to Europe and then America. It Hala’s story was riveting, educational, and heart wrenching. I learned a lot about how we treat people seeking political asylum, as she walks the reader her whole experience, starting at JFK and ending in the detention center to which she was imprisoned. It was so eye-opening as to how the trauma she carried with her, exacted by the Taliban, was continued when she reached the United States and was treated like a criminal… this was especially egregious given we helped bring the Taliban into power by supporting the Muhijaddin we used to overthrow Russia’s rule in Afghanistan. The human rights atrocities happening today are a direct result of our meddling in the late 20th century. This book is a moving testament to the strength and undying love for family that is the hallmark of Afghanistan’s citizens.

[arzu🌷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allora questo libro l’avevo iniziato a leggere quando ancora ero una bambina di 12/13, ma mi ha completamente cambiato il modo in cui vedo il mondo. Essendo musulmana ma sopratutto turca, sapevo già un po’ la cultura dei paesi asiatici, il modo in cui gli uomini cambiano la religione a loro piacimento.
Mi ha veramente colpito dal profondo del cuore, due storie molto tristi, ma sopratutto affascinanti per la grande forza dimostrata dalle donne dell’afghanistan contro gli estremisti talebani.
Non sapendo i TW di questo libro, purtroppo l’ho letto sempre con il cuore in gola, ma ne è valsa la pena perché in fin dei conti credo di aver fatto un passo in avanti nel diventare matura. Solo dopo aver letto storie realmente accadute, capisci cosa si prova e vorresti fare di tutto per aiutare. Quindi prima informati dei TW e dopo leggi questo capolavoro.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book, if a little rough around the edges, about two sisters who were born and raised in Afghanistan. The first 60% of the book follows older sister "Sulima" who comes of age during the Islamic Revolution, and younger sister "Hala" who comes of age during the Taliban's rule. Both of them end up fleeing the country due to persecution. The book helps you see the beauty and warmth of the Afghan people alongside the cultural challenges, sexism, and control of some of the men in power in their society. If the writing and editing were a little bit more polished this is certainly a 5-star story.

[Megan Horan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening account of the changes in Afganistan from the 50s to the late 90s. Published in 2002, much has changed. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of culture and struggles in the Middle East.

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great way to learn more about another culture, religion, and culture that I was somewhat unfamiliar with. I loved reading the stories of the two brave young women in this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t agree or appreciate the more political points, but am glad to hear and learn from the story.

[Rflutist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings after reading this book. It succeeds in bringing to light the problems associated with seeking asylum in the United States. I also think it was a strong representation and depiction of life in Afghanistan and the subsequent repression by Mujahideen and Taliban forces. However, those strengths were lost when the narrative devolved into the personal trevails of one of the women, who suffered through an abusive marriage. It was at those moments that the story shifted from Afghanistan into reading that was difficult to stomach. Because of the abusive nature of the marriage discussed, I would not recommend this book, which is unfortunate, as the author is a talented writer.

[Izunia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is impossible to rate someone's life story. Especially when it is full of pain and injustice, but also great bravery. The tree stars I gave this book do not mean anything. The book tells a story of two sisters who suffered enormously for their belief in (and fight for) women's rights in Afghanistan. Through their eyes we are told also about events that took place in Afghanistan since 1950s. The story is deeply moving. I could not hold my tears. It is almost unbelievable that women are treated like this also in "Western" countries in our time. The book made me think about what I can do to help women around the world.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. I came across this wonderful book on my search for a book to write an essay on for my women's studies class in high school. A few parts of the book were emotionally challenging, but never once did I experience the sensation of boredom. If you are an emotionally sensitive person, be warned. This is a serious can't-put-down-for-one-moment real life story about 2 women living in a culture that does not acknowledge or respect their existence. A real eye opener and incredibly rich experience of Afghanistan pre and post Taliban.

[Megan Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by two sisters born 16 years apart. As such, each sister's experience in Afghanistan is quite different from the others, each with unique hardships. In the "real-life hardship/horrible event" genre, this book is different in that it's more about an ongoing difficult life versus one horrific event. Well worth reading with no too many gory details for the reader who can't handle such things.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone. My, what some people have to go through in their lives.

This is so well written. Yet it is not trying to be anything expect for what it is, a story of 2 sisters, and their different lives. What amazing strong woman they are.

Happy to lend to my 'friends' if you want to have a read.

[Tommy Estlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an especially difficult book to read, and it rounds out my literary tour of Afghanistan. This is the true account of two sisters, separated by 16 years and countless cultural circumstances. They tell their stories of fear, intimidation, and oppression, as well as their journey's to America.

A definite must-read.

[Laney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is much more the author’s story than Sulima or Hala’s.

It’s like these women were interviewed by someone constantly saying “yeah yeah but get to the punchline”. It’s a shame because I would have loved to actually hear these two incredible womens’ stories from start to finish, untarnished and unedited.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got more of the personality of the author from the book's opener than I did of Sulima and Hala over the rest of the course of the book. It was an interesting window into Afganistan from the female perspective, but there was a lot lost between the story tellers and the story writer.

[Rohullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

all i can say about this book is that it is a well written and a good book.
like it enough that i recommend my friend to read it if they want to have some knowledge and idea about womans life in Afghanistan in the time of taliban rulers.

[Anke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great eyewitness report about life in Afghanistan before, during and after communism and the hardship and persecution of women under the Taliban. Great insight and a must read for everyone who is interested in different cultures.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent depiction of life under the Taliban and then the dreadful treatment of asylum seekers at the airport detention centres. I found the second part of the book more interesting than the first for its factual history of how the Taliban started..recommend

[Kasi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was dissappointed that this book did not offer more about women in Afghanistan. The first ladies story read like any other domestic violence victim in the U.S.

[Ann Piccirillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely haunting

[Lisa of Hopewell]

So far, EXCELLENT....didn't get to finish it this time around--I'll try it again another time.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty dull. It's not really about Afghanistan as much as domestic abuse. There are much better books about both Afghanistan and domestic violence.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, educational, eye-opening. Pick this book up if you want to learn more about Afghanistan and appreciate our freedoms in America.

[Rebecca Loiacono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this book. It is beautifully written and the sisters lives come to life. I remember scenes from this book as it was a movie.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important look into women's suffering under the Taliban and also the inner workings of our country's asylum process.

[Praveena Kolli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful story of two sisters from Afghanistan, their strength in facing heavy hurdles, their dreams, their courage is heart wrenching and inspiring.

[Karen May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

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