Let Her Fly: A Father’s Journey and the Fight for Equality

by Ziauddin Yousafzai, Louise Carpenter (Contributor), Malala Yousafzai (Foreword)

Guardian pick as one of the biggest and most interesting books of the year

The story of the father who inspired the phenomenon

For over twenty years, Ziauddin Yousafzai has been fighting for equality – first for Malala, his daughter – and then for all girls throughout the world living in patriarchal societies. Taught as a young boy in Pakistan to believe that he was inherently better than his sisters, Ziauddin rebelled against inequality at a young age. And when he had a daughter himself he vowed that Malala would have an education, something usually only given to boys, and he founded a school that Malala could attend.

Then in 2012, Malala was shot for standing up to the Taliban by continuing to go to her father's school, and Ziauddin almost lost the very person for whom his fight for equality began.

Let Her Fly is Ziauddin’s journey from a stammering boy growing up in a tiny village high in the mountains of Pakistan, through to being an activist for equality and the father of the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and now one of the most influential and inspiring young women on the planet.

Told through intimate portraits of each of Ziauddin’s closest relationships – as a son to a traditional father; as a father to Malala and her brothers, educated and growing up in the West; as a husband to a wife finally learning to read and write; as a brother to five sisters still living in the patriarchy – Let Her Fly looks at what it means to love, to have courage and fight for what is inherently right. Personal in its detail and universal in its themes, this is a landmark book from the man behind the phenomenon, and shows why we must all keep fighting for the rights of girls and women around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Feminism, Biography Memoir, Pakistan, Family

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2018

About the author

Ziauddin Yousafzai is a Pakistani diplomat, educator, educational activist, and human rights campaigner. Best known as the father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, he is the co-founder and serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Malala Fun. He also serves are the United Nations Special Advisor on Global Education and as the educational attaché to the Pakistani Consulate in Birmingham, UK.

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the real-life story of Ziauddin Yousafsai.

He is the father of Malala Yousafzai, who is the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize for peace. We can see how much he loved his daughter and emphasized educating female children in this book.


My favorite three lines from this book.

"When I say "I did not clip her wings" in relation to Malala, what I mean is that when she was small, I broke the scissors used by society to clip girl's wings."

"We were so thankful to God that Malala had survived. Pekai would say, "We are here, we are alive, we are together."

"I began to see that he was flawed. We are all flawed, but it is a powerful moment when you realize that about your parents. Still, I loved him no less for it. I know I have flaws, and my children are free to realize this and make their own corrections."

This will be a good choice if you love to read inspiring books which give a lot of importance to family values and relations.

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[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye across a crowded library. What must it have been like to experience the phenomenon that is Malala Yousafzai and what were the earliest manifestations of her exceptionality?

Ziauddin Yousafzai was unusual himself. He and his brothers all had severe stammers growing up, but not his sisters. Of course the boys bore the brunt of family expectations. He took on a challenge to become an outstanding public speaker, delivering a speech his father helped him to craft. When he won first place in the competition, he continued his effort to overcome his speech impediment through public speaking.

Ziauddin was a feminist before the word was popular in Pakistan and when he married and moved with his wife, Toor Pekai, to Swat, his wife took advantage of his encouragement to embrace small freedoms during their life there. Their first daughter would be a much more enthusiastic reformer, willing to cover her head but not her face. Malala often sat with her father’s friends and answered questions of opinion he would put to her. She became a skilled public speaker through his influence, and she won many public speaking awards on her favorite topic: the rights and education of girls.

Malala was exceptionally bright and curious from an early age and attracted the attention of visitors to the Yousafzai household. She also broke down the resistance to change by her conservative grandfather. She attended a school run by her father and excelled, far more than her brothers who were ordinary in schoolwork. The Yousafzai school encourage all local girls to attend, and had a large number.

The campaign in which Yousafzai and his daughter Malala engaged to save girls education had been going against the Taliban’s edicts for about five years when the attack on her occurred. She was fifteen.

There is detail about Malala being flown by helicopter from one hospital to another, to gradually larger ones with more surgical expertise, until she finally is set down in Birmingham, England, where they take off any blood pressuring her brain, happily discovering there was no impingement on her cognitive function. She began a long series of reconstructive surgeries to lessen the impact of the nerve damage to her face.

Living in England turned the family dynamic 180 degrees. Malala had been a strong presence and leader in the family. While she was incapacitated, her younger brothers took on critical roles interfacing with British culture. The parents admit they resisted the power inversion at first, feeling out of their element, but gradually they were grateful for the boys' facility in the new environment and relied on them. The family grew closer in crisis because everyone came to recognize and accept their strengths and weaknesses.

Malala’s recovery was undoubtedly due to support from her family, but also grew from her own inner strength. The damage inflicted on her gave her more opportunity to develop an extraordinary resilience, and the long recovery gave her the opportunity to concentrate on her studies.

Whenever anybody has asked me how Malala became who she is, I have often used the response "Ask me not what I did but what I did not do. I did not clip her wings."

The Yousafzai family members each have a quality of gratefulness that is so attractive, allowing each one to occasionally take a supporting role to another's exceptionalism. That less-lauded role is equally difficult to perform. The entire family deserves credit for surviving with such strength of character, but that specialness may stem from the leadership of Ziauddin Yousafzai, which is why this book is about him.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I do believe that social norms are like shackles that enslave us. We are content in that slavery, and then when we break the shackles, the first feeling of liberation might be shocking at first, but as we begin to feel the freedom we sense in our souls how rewarding it is."
- Ziauddin Yousafzai, from 'Let Her Fly'

I wanted to read this book for two reasons -- the first was that I have read Malala Yousafzai's book and was curious to learn more about her father. The second, which is I suppose almost an extension of the first, is; how does someone realise that the social norms that surround them may not be right or fair or just? What makes someone question this, and then reject it, making the bold choice to live in a new way?

After reading this, I think part of it is that some people are just able to see things in a different way, it's just a part of their being. Some people are perhaps born to bring about changes. But also, it is education. Education, in particular the ability to read and write, is a powerful thing, which is why it so often denied, and why it should never be denied to anyone.

Ziauddin Yousafzai's life is very interesting - he is a passionate educator and the work he was doing, prior to Malala being attacked, is fascinating to read about. I think we all like to imagine that in similar situations we too would stand up to the Taliban, stand up for what is right, but to actually be faced with that reality, to have threats on your life, and then on your daughters life, is an almost unfathomable idea, and frankly, I hope I continue to be lucky enough to live a life where I never have to find out whether I could rise above a threat like that.

I was particularly interested to read about Ziauddin's relationship with his wife, Toor Pekai, who I knew less about, and his sons, Khushal and Atal. I felt these relationships were conveyed honestly, with a great deal of love and respect.

I found this to be a valuable read and I am very glad I read it.

I'll end my review with a quote about his father, who slowly came around to Ziauddin's way of thinking (and living) which I like because it highlights how people can grow and evolve.

"My father saw me dreaming for my daughter, and he joined me in those dreams so that by the end of his life, my father and I dreamed our dreams together."

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read I Am Malala, one thing struck me. It's her father who made her the way she is! He's the pillar behind her fight for education. He's the one who believed in it first and gave her education even when it was announced that girl education was banned during those times. And I was more curious about him ever since!

"Malala was a girl born in a patriarchal society. I was more focused on Malala than I was on her brothers because they had been born into a society that favored them. From the time of Malala’s birth, I was fighting prejudice against her."

In this memoir, the author speaks out about the patriarchal society he grew up in, especially in his own family where gender discrimination prevailed and he was given privileges, better opportunities, education and treatment. He also gives detailed accounts of baseless beliefs and rituals he had to follow because of his parents.

"As I became the father of sons as well as a daughter, I defined my family as one that believed first and foremost in equality. We did not write on the walls of our house, 'All women and men are equal, all have freedom of speech,' but our lives together echoed those values."

People preach a lot, parents nag a lot. Everyone has lots to say about gender equality. But yes, try this:

"So I never told them that they were supposed to treat Malala equally. I just did it myself. I acted upon the things I believed in. It is such a good starting point."

(Regarding teaching his sons about gender equality)

Stuttering was a problem when he grew up. The shame he had to face was overcome by his efforts and belief in his self-confidence. His father did the right thing by never judging him based on this.

"I did not want them to feel worthless, as I had been made to feel in my schooling, the poor boy with a stammer in a classroom of rich boys favored by the teachers for their birth."

And this is so relatable for most of us still:

"There is a message here though: the dreams of your parents can be a burden."

As I believe in too, the author focuses much on education specially girl child education in the book.

His guilt towards his sons when they felt somehow neglected.

"I feel that empowering girls must not come at the expense of disempowering boys. Enlightened, confident young boys, loved by their families, taught to value themselves and respect their sisters, their mothers, and their female classmates, grow up to be good men and help bring about change."

"We parents think we know best, that we can decide for the best, but we are not always right."

Yes, most parents lack this understanding I feel.
"I think when you laugh at yourself, you become more human and you tell your children that it is okay in life to have weak moments and to accept them as normal."

"I have asked him what he thinks a father should be, and he has told me, “A father should build his son’s character rather than build his son’s mind for him.”

(Talking to his elder son, Khushal)

And I cried while reading this part. It sounds so simple yet it feels like it's a brand new revelation that was hidden from all of us. This shouldn't be.

The book also addresses honor killings and misogyny.

I love how he talks about his wife, Toor Pekai. It's so liberating!

If we do not know what to think and how to celebrate the daughters in our lives, read this paragraph again and again. It made me so happy. It's just not for the fathers or the men. It's for everyone.

"When I saw her, I felt she was the baby I had been waiting for. It is fair to ask: why should I want to bring a girl into a world, into a patriarchal society, that was not set up to support her? But the answer is simple. When I thought about being a father to a daughter, I imagined my role as completely different from the fathers I had seen around me when I was a son with sisters, when I myself was a boy with no girls in my class. I knew what kind of father I was going to be if I was ever lucky enough to have a daughter. I was completely clear about it. I was going to be a father who believed in equality, and believed in a girl as she grows into a woman, and who raises her so that she believes in herself, so that in her life she can be free as a bird."

"Because if a parent does not give a child the space to think anything in life is possible, it is an uphill struggle for the child to believe in her own potential."

The book is quite short yet it's full of wisdom, fight and experience. I do feel this book is so underrated. This book is apt for everyone young and old.

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Her Fly: A Father’s Journey by Ziauddin Yousafzai is an inspirational story of a man from Pakistan. He also is the father of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai.

Growing up in a patriarchal society, Ziauddin had accepted the values of the culture. However, as a teen, he began to question everything he had taken for granted. Under the old patriarchal ideas, women were “protected” by society. That meant they had no freedoms, no education, and they would be slaves to the men in their family. However, Ziauddin had learned through his mother, his sisters, and other women that love and kindness are the important values of life. Ziauddin states in his book, “Love is respect. Love is equality. Love is justice.”

As an adult, Ziauddin became a teacher, and started a school. Believing the power of the women of Pakistan was undiscovered and underestimated, he became an advocate for women's education. He stood up to the Taliban for the dreams and rights of girls, even after the Taliban declared a ban on the education of girls. The Taliban eventually destroyed over 400 schools.

Ziauddin continued to campaign against the Taliban, and his daughter Malala joined him in voicing support for the education of women. In 2012, Malala was attacked and shot in the head by the Taliban. She has recovered and continues to be an advocate for women world wide.

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[Shereen Rafea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a compelling story , filled with little gems of wisdom from a man who truly broke free from the shackles of societal norms in Pakistan and is unapologetic in expressing how he went about it and the sacrifices it took. Who among us doesn’t know the name Malala these days? After reading her book , I was super intrigued by her father, a character she idolizes and a liberal Pashtun who decided to raise her differently than what was expected of him. Therefore as soon as I saw that he published his own story, I had to pick it up. It truly is a father’s memoir, which gives clips of his relationship with his parents, wife, sons and daughter and the beauty of it is that it is relatable to sons, daughters, mothers and fathers! That is a good accomplishment for a book.
Definitely a worthwhile read.

[Saipriya N · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on feminism so far. This book is written by the father of the youngest noble laureate, Malala Yousafzai. It's about the journey of a father, deals with patriarchy, Pakistan, women empowerment, education for girls, parenting, freedom.

As a person, we play many roles in our life, as a child, sibling, parent, lover/spouse, friend, aunt/uncle, teacher, student, etc and every relationship is pure in its own way. Many incidents gave me goosebumps and also made me cry. I liked the way how the author has divided the book into 4 parts according to the role he plays. 


1: As a SON: 
Patriarchy stills exist in many parts of the world. It's very deep-rooted. His dad has always given him enough freedom and would understand him more, compared to that of his sisters. However, he would always feel pressured because his dad wanted Zia to pursue the dream which was against the will of Zia.  
Ziauddin who grew up with his sisters, at a very young age he has realized how privileged he was and decided he would break the shackles of patriarchy. He observed
-women would always serve men and have accepted their life being violated in numerous ways by men. 
-Where a woman's name would not be taken even when they go to a doctor. A woman shouldn't look straight into a man's eyes apart from his husband. 
-And coming to girls seeking primary education was out of the imagination as the perception about the independent women was they would get shame instead of honor. Honor killings would happen. 
It takes so much courage for a person to think and go against these customs which were built by society for centuries. And, he crossed many boundaries for the sake of his beloved daughter, Malala.



2: As a FATHER of two sons
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. -Kahlil Gibran.

he understood that the only way to make his sons respect women is from the way he treats his wife and daughter. It has to first start from one's own place. He gave wings to fly high and treated all of them equally. What I really liked here was he also mentions what was wrong with him and learned from those mistakes.

3. as a HUSBAND and BEST FRIEND: 

He always treated his wife with immense respect and never opposed her for the freedom which she deserves. I have always seen Malala with her father but after reading this chapter I have understood that even Ziauddin wouldn't go so far if he didn't receive that support from his wife.



4: As a FATHER of a daughter: 
I have seen a video of Malala where she says she has come that far only because their parents never clip her wings and never snatched the freedom she deserves. Her achievement itself shows how much confidence she had in herself which all came from the encouragement given by her parents. The incident where Malala was shot and when she received the Nobel Peace Prize made me cry a lot.
After Talibanization also they never stopped their fight towards education for girls. Instead, she comes up stronger than before.

The most inspiring line from the whole book I found was when Malala says, "Don't remember me as a girl who was shot but remember me as a girl who fought"


If somebody wants to read a book on women's empowerment, I would highly suggest this book. 

[Thabiya (tabby) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so pure!

[Marie Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Malala for a while now (and having had the privilege hear her speak and meet her at an event a couple of years ago), I was really interested to see what her father had to say and what his story entailed. It was insightful and refreshing to view things from his perspective, not only in terms of Malala and her growing up, but also his background and his views and relationships, especially with his family. I loved learning about all the things that Ziauddin has achieved which are sometimes overlooked - he's a great role model for Malala to have grown up with and I wish him all the best!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.comOnce upon a time, you stumble upon a book and you instantly know you want to read it, even though it does not fit your usual genre. This was the case for me with Let Her Fly by Ziauddin Yousafzai. I have been following Malala's work since I read her book in 2014. I even wrote a Dutch article on her book last year. Well, on to her father's book now, which has been co-written by Louise Carpenter. I stepped out of my Young Adult (fantasy) and New Adult bubble to read this book and I am stepping even more out of my comfort zone by reviewing a non-fiction book.





Expectations
To be quite honest, my expectations for Let Her Fly were quite high and not without reason. I knew that this story would be interesting and important. Furthermore, I knew that everyone is able to learn from this wise man and his journey/story. I only wondered whether this book would surpass my usual three star rating for non-fiction. Spoiler: it did.

Story
Since Let Her Fly is non-fiction, there is not much to analyse about storyline, plot development, character development and world building. However, I can honestly say that this book was a fast-paced, well-written and interesting read. Thank goodness it was not dwelling and heavy, because that is exactly what usually keeps me far far away from reading non-fiction.

No, Let Her Fly is a book that will indirectly educate you about equality (between men and women, and about equal rights and treatment for women) and diversity, but in such a way that it doesn't sound like you are being educated. I hope that this makes any sense, but I assume you guys understand what I mean. Ziauddin Yousafzai - and therefore Louise Carpenter - has such an interesting way of telling his story. Before I knew it I was more than halfway through the book and really had to put it down because I really had to leave. I finished this book in two sittings, because it was too interesting and hard to put down. And what about the laughs in this story, are they present? Oh definitely. There were times that I nearly burst out laughing whilst reading. I will spoiler one paragraph for you: the Burito/Burita one. In fact, I'm chuckling again whilst writing this. I won't spoiler more for you guys, because I think it is save to say that you should read this book. Yes, this is a - very rare - five star non-fiction book.

Dutch readers: I honestly have no clue whether this book will be translated, but this book is not too dificult to read in English.



Did you plan to buy/read Let Her Fly beforehand or are you planning to do so after reading this review?This review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf

[Val Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read Malala’s book yet, partly as I think I might find it too upsetting despite knowing what a remarkable young lady she is. So I came to read her father's book with a little trepidation in case that was also going to be upsetting. But quite the opposite – he does not dwell on the dark side of life with the Taliban or the shooting and aftermath but on his life, his upbringing and his family.

Ziauddin Yousafza tells us about his background, his marriage and his children but mostly he tells of his moral principles and family values. His writing is very clear and readable. He is an educator who was running a school for many years before the family fled Pakistan in 2012 after Malala’s shooting. He constantly emphasises how important education is for all and his commitment to providing that is admirable. I would have loved to know more about what happened with his school after he left and how life in the school and that community is now in 2018.

Ziauddin is the perfect example of someone who does not preach or force opinions on others but simply lives his life in accordance with his values and beliefs. I love the stories in the book where members of his family are treating their womenfolk as inferior and expecting them to hide their faces and/or bodies but then some change their thinking after they see Ziauddin respect the women in his life without imposing restrictions on their clothing, education or lifestyle.

I hope to read more from Ziauddin and will also be reading Malala’s book soon. They are the most incredible family and I wish them all well as I am sure it cannot have been easy being Ziauddin’s wife or Malala’s two brothers who haven’t enjoyed the limelight and have had tougher lives in many ways than Malala and her father who are busy touring and speaking. One day maybe we will hear the voice of Malala’s mother in a book. She is obviously an incredible person too as she fought hard to have children educated at her husband’s school even when their parents could not afford the fees. I am sure there is much more she could tell us too.

Ziauddin is a very remarkable person and if it wasn’t for him on so many levels the world would not be benefiting from all the immense good that his daughter is doing to make it a better place in the face of extreme adversity.

Please do read this book and encourage your young people to do so. It is completely inspirational, even more so when you consider the culture they were living in where speaking out against those in power could have such terrible consequences.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kay Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me there are not the words to express the absolute brilliance of the book and this man.. Ziauddin, Malala''s father, explains how his beliefs and attitudes spur him to change the social norms of his country and his upbringing. He is an inspirational man who seeks see a world where women and men are treated as equals... Now this is usual in Western culture, but in Pakistan this goes against beliefs and traditions that have reigned for centuries. The most amazing part of Ziauddin''s story for me is that initially he does not pound the streels campaigning but, but looks to his own house, treats his wife with respect and equality, and bringing up his children eith these values, he also let's his visitors see this and the joy it brings him.. But more than that he starts a school giving girls an education, not just those that can pay but also those that can't. . I must also add his wife is totally inspirational too.
This book is beautifully written, it is warm, passionate, poetic and an absolute joy to read, akin to food for the soul.. I read this in 3 days, I recommend anyone read it... it is wonderful.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ziauddin Yousafzai is a proud father with a lot to be proud of – his daughter is the renowned activist and youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala. This memoir tells of a man brought up in a patriarchal society, where women’s role was to be subservient to men. Ziauddin talks of the awakening he experienced at a young age that made him realise that something was not right, that women should not be treated as lesser. He became a champion of women’s rights, not least those of his beloved wife and daughter, and of the importance of education for girls.
This is a heartfelt telling of his life’s story, with the many trials his family have faced – the attack on his daughter by the Taliban being the most heartrending. Ziauddin is passionate in his belief that anyone of us can change the world for the good and that even the smallest good deed is worth doing. This is an inspirational work and extremely moving. Ziauddin can teach us all a lot about love and equality.

[books.bintulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2023: Let Her Fly: A Father's Journey

I haven't read I Am Malala. But I can foresee myself wanting to know more about her parents. Hence, this book.

We begin with the childhood life of Yousef Ziauddin with his parents and siblings in Barkana. His father was very strict but always kind to him. He's the hope of the family, they wanted him to become a doctor. Born a stammer, he took it as a challenge and became a successful orator.

His patriarchal upbringing resulted in him championing girls' education. He witnessed how men are prioritized in the house. Girls are not described by their name, girls need to extremely guard their honour and many more. Ziauddin does not agree with all this.

We can tell that he is a peace-loving person. He loathes violence. He has his way of opposing, and righting wrongs without hatred. The way he tried to change his father to accept his new lifestyle is just beautiful.

How he describes his wife is also fascinating. Toor Pekai is the backbone of their girls' education campaign. Ziauddin also shares how he struggled with his boys, especially after the attack.

The most important message from this book:

"Ask me not what I did but what I did not do. I did not clip her wings."

Happy nurturing, praising and supporting your girls! Happy Father's Day!

[Amy Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

the beauty of coming home is being able to re-read old stories. i first read this book years ago pre goodreads but it continues to resonate with me and the story is so moving i started it around 8pm and finished just after midnight.

ziauddin yousafzai writes in a manner that is so engaging and emotionally touching that one feels almost every emotion he describes. books and experiences like this show so clearly the magnitude of responsibility that comes with parenthood, and why that is not something everyone should undertake. painful to confront how little fundamental misogynist attitudes have changed since yousafzai’s upbringing and the present day in south asia. 4 stars not 5 because it is quite short and i think just a little bit more length would have allowed for more development in certain areas.

[Tarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read, I am glad I picked it up. I've read Malala's autobiography, and how she bravely fought against all odds. Let Her Fly is also an autobiography from the father's POV. Some parts made me smile, some made me emotional. Overall it's quite a heart warming read and how the father supported his daughter.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I knew what kind of father I was going to be if I was ever lucky enough to have a daughter. I was completely clear about it. I was going to be a father who believed in equality, and believed in a girl as she grows into a woman, and who raises her so that she believes in herself, so that in her life she can be as free as a bird.”

Malala is a household name and someone we all know to be a brave, remarkable and inspirational young woman. Her father Ziauddin, whose story is told here, is also a remarkable person and sadly (because his views should be the norm, not the exception) an unusual one.

Ziauddin’s voice comes through strongly and we hear about his own formative experiences, his beliefs, his life in Pakistan and later, after the Taliban attack on Malala, in the UK. As he comments “for me as a middle aged man from a patriarchal society in Pakistan, it has been a journey”. While acknowledging his role in Malala’s life though he never remotely seeks to take credit for her achievements. The love and respect he has for his wife Toor Pekai and children (Malala and her two brothers) always shines through.

I loved the anecdote near the beginning - the Oxford college principal and the cup of tea - which Ziauddin describes as his proudest moment to date.

An important, insightful and always very readable book from a man described by his daughter in a foreword as “the personification of love, compassion and humility”.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I have read this book.
We are all so aware of Malala Yousafzai and the impact she has had on raising the profile of education for girls. Here we meet the man behind Malala: the father who supported her, inspired her through his own beliefs and activism.. We grow to understand that his rejection of the patriarchy prevalent in Pakistan during her lifetime gave a solid foundation for Malala to voice her opinion that girls should have equal access to opportunities.
From his early days as a stammerer seeking to find his voice and the respect of his father, through his determination to marry his wife and his parenting of Malala and her two brothers, we see this loving and determined man both in his native Pakistan and in Birmingham, England, where his family made their home after Malala was shot. I liked the man I met on these pages.
I cannot say that the writing is perfect - like many autobiographies by non-writers (albeit co-written) there are repetitions and the occasional clumsy phrase, but this is not enough to bring my rating down from 5 stars.
Many thanks to Ebury Penguin Random House for the advance e-copy for review.

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will warm your heart! Ziauddin Yousafzi is an amazing man with great morals, principles and determination. At a young age he is appalled in the gender inequality that he witnesses growing up in Pakistan and is determined that his wife and daughter will be treated equally. It takes a lot of courage and heart to break out of his conditioning, but he did encouraging Malala to be herself and to never hold her back in anyway.

Whenever anybody asked me how Malala became who she is, I have often used the phrase, "Ask me not what I did but what I did not do. I did not clip her wings"

[Tracey Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Malala’s father. What an amazing person her father is. He was a feminist in Pakistan and just wanted his daughter to be happy.
This book was so compelling and moving. A fantastic read.

[Greg Nybo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books about how to be a good person in your interactions. I don't think that was the intent of it, but there are so many applicable lessons.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, inspiring story of Mallala Yousafzai told by her father who is a champion of women's rights in a society that gives them none. Both Mallala and her father were brave activists in Pakistan fighting for the right of girls to be educated, even in the face of threats and attacks by the Talaban. the audio book is narrated by Ziauddin Yousafzai and it took me a while to accustom myself to his voice and accent, but I very much enjoyed hearing him tell of this families struggles and challenges as they stood up for the rights of girls and women in Pakistan.

[Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written account of a remarkable girl and her family. Malala and her family have been through so many heart rendering circumstances, its good to know life is better for all concerned. What a courageous girl Malala has been and still is. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of Family.
Have recently finished reading the book “I Am Malala” which I highly recommend, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read about the man who instilled a love of learning, who inspired and supported his daughter, in a culture when women are second class citizens. In many ways he is even more inspirational than his daughter, he had to realise that there were inequalities in the society he lived in and to choose to change his views, whereas Malala was brought up by her parents to believe that education was her right. Malala’s book reflects her interest in politics but I found Ziauddin’s book to be an easier read, though inevitably there were overlaps in the story. The overriding impression left by this book is that of his love and pride in his wife and all three of his children.
This book is written in American English and my advanced copy did have editing issues which hopefully will be resolved prior to publication eg. sentences where all the words ran into each other and Malala’s foreword bounced constantly from past to present tense. Having said that, I still feel this was a 5* read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book “I Am Malala” a few years ago and really enjoying it I was really looking forward to reading this one when I saw it on NetGalley. I’m really glad that I requested it on NetGalley now, as I found it a very interesting and enjoyable read.

I managed to finish this book in one day. I thought it was an easy read in terms of the language used, I didn’t have to concentrate too hard on what was written.

I found the story that Malala’s father told so moving and interesting that I couldn’t put the book down.  I enjoyed reading about and learning about the struggles the Yousafzai family went through and learning about their journey from Pakistan to Birmingham as well as reading about the fight for equality by both father and daughter.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have already read “I Am Malala”. If you haven’t read the book then I personally don’t think it matters. But I would say read it as both books are interesting reads and thought provoking.

I would like to thank NetGally and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for my eARC in return for a honest and unbiased review.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book, giving insight into a lifestyle I had no idea about it. As a woman who is fortunate enough to only have to deal with first world problems the way of life in 20th century Pakistan was a shock to say the  least. Although never close to the top of my class I loved school and the idea that I would have been unable to attend until I wanted to leave would have been unimaginable.

Ziauddin Yousafzai is rightly proud of his family and it is apparent throughout that he would sacrifice anything for them and the way of life he believes is essential if they are to have successful futures. Where he and consequently his daughter, Malala, differ from the masses is that they were prepared to do something about it.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this novel thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review and recommend it not only as an insight into the story of Malala's life from a different perspective but also into life in a region where inequality is an acceptable way of life in the 20th century and how one man has fought for decades to change it.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Malala's dad.

[Mandymoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally inspired by Malala and her story when I read I am Malala, so I was utterly thrilled to see that another book had come out about her fathers fight for equality for his daughter, a proud father fighting for his daughter to have equal rights in a country where girls are denied simple things like a decent education, where girls & women are treated like second class citizens, Ziaduinn wants more for his daughter and other girls like his daughter.
A truly inspirational and beautifully written book. Malala may have dealt with great traumas in her life, but the love and support from her very determined family she will succeed.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weapons may bring immediate power, or immediate change, but it is not the long-lasting kind. The long-lasting change is what you stand for, believe in.

Ziauddin Yousafzai is a passionate, loving individual. This book tells his side of his famous daughter's story, which is incredibly moving, but it's more than that. This short book is packed with so much heart. Yousafzai's own growth from the beginning of his life is interesting for a few reasons. It shows, more or less, a typical rural Pakistani man's upbringing, but also where he diverges from that. He more or less accepts typical gender roles as a young boy, but starts noticing his female relatives being treated poorly. This sets him on a journey that starts with small acts of bravery (writing his daughter's name on the family tree) to the more monumental acts he's known for.

He ties in his loving but troubled relationship with his father to his relationship with his own sons. Seeing a parent admit that they made mistakes--the same mistakes his father made--and respond with an apology, with humility, was refreshing. This is a man who is proud of his sons, appreciates their quirks. And of course, his incredibly warm love for his daughter is powerful and sweet.

Yousafzai's wife, Toor Pekai, has her own story told here, and again we get a glimpse of the average woman's life. She was allowed to go to school, but quit because none of her friends were going, and no one ever made her go back. This kind of societal pressure is one often overlooked. Toor Pekai is continuing her education now, supported by her loving family. She is strong and independent and has a spark of her own that just needed some nurturing.

Yousafzai is idealistic, literary and a little dreamy by nature, but passionate and outspoken too. He writes poetry, a few of which are included (and are lovely). He was given so much more than the others in his family, and recognises and appreciates that, and seems to be motivated, at least in his youth, by his desire not to let it go to waste. He too faced some educational difficult getting passed up for wealthier boys, but rose above what was expected of him with a quality education.

My only problem with the book is it's a bit repetitive. All the stories are unique and interesting, but sometimes there's just some fatherly gushing about his children. The idealism sometimes seems too idealistic, but often this is cut by Malala's practicality. Ultimately the book is about the power of education, and he devotes some space to talk about each member of the family's schooling. This single-minded view eventually wears off onto the reader, until I was feeling as full of love and hope as Yousafzai. I'd recommend Let Her Fly to anyone interested in the Yousafzai family, global education, Pakistani culture, or anyone who just wants a nice memoir to read.

[Sharulnizam Yusof · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.
Kita sudah mendengar cerita Malala yang mendunia. Mangsa rakus serangan Taliban di Pakistan. Tapi tak ramai yang tahu siapa yang menjadi pendorong penerima anugerah Nobel Keamanan ini, sehingga ditembak menghampiri kehilangan nyawa.

2.
Buku ini bercerita dari sudut pandang ayah Malala, Ziauddin. Seorang bapa dengan tiga anak (termasuk Malala) yang merangka perjalanan hidup gah di sebuah kampung bernama Mingora.

3.
Ziauddin berbeza, dan mahu keluar dari cengkaman dunia patriaki (mengutamakan lelaki). Ziaudin mahu pendidikan diberi kepada semua, tak mengira jantina. Ziauddin mahu anak perempuan diberi peluang sewajarnya, tidak hanya 'dibungkus' dan kemudian berkahwin pada usia remaja.

4.
Malala adalah bukti 'walk the talk' sang ayah. Keterbukaan Ziauddin berbanding masyarakat sekeliling menciptakan permata yang gemilang.

5.
Buku ini bercerita tentang suasana kehidupan Ziauddin yang terikat dengan adat budaya turun temurun, dan akhirnya ikatan merimaskan itu terurai dalam generasi keluarganya.

6.
Buku ini terbahagj kepada beberapa bab, dan setiap bab adalah kisah Ziauddin dengan ahli keluarganya sendiri. Dengan ibu bapa, adik-beradik, Toor Pekai sang isteri yang setia, anak-anak bujang mereka dan tentulah tentang Malala.

7.
Saya suka dengan pengamatan dan pengalaman Ziauddin mengurus fasa-fasa hubungan kekeluargaan sebelum dan selepas kejadian Malala ditembak. Bagaimana mereka sekeluarga menguruskan emosi, dan kembali ke landasan selepas tersasar seketika (hubungan dengan anak lelaki).

8.
Mengurus ego. Berfikiran waras. Ambil tindakan. Ini yang saya nampak dalam kisah hidup Ziauddin.

9.
Satu buku yang bagus, walaupun ada ketika terasa seperti sangat berulang-ulang dan sedikit melankoli. Namun tertutup dengan semangat untuk kembali bangkuit.

10.
Oh ya. Pakistan ni cantik. Dan ada babak-babak yang diceritakan Ziauddin, saya terbayangkan adegan dalam filem Hindustan dengan latar alam yang memegunkan mata. Heh!