maclsj Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Title: The Kabul Beauty School Author: Deborah Rodriguez Synopsis: In 2002 Deborah Rodriguez joins a group of American aid workers to help in Afghanistan. When she arrives she wonder what she can actually do to help. She is a trained hairdresser, not a doctor, an electrician or a plumber. She begins to realise though that she has a role to play afterall. Not only are the westerners missing their visits to the hairdressers but also the ordinary Afghans on the street. Not only that but in a country where jobs for women are limited Debbie realises that a beauty school will enable the women of Afghanistan to earn money, and good money at that. Follow Debbie as she tries to integrate into Afghan life and listen to the stories of her students over the years she spends teaching at the Kabul Beauty school. Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I really couldn't put it down. I normally read historical crime fiction so this was very different for me. I've been trying to expand my reading and this has been a perfect book for that. It really tested what I thought about Afghanistan and tried to make me understand why it is the way it is. At the same time though it was never pained as a perfect place and thats where Rodriguez's skill lies. This is not a book that endlessly harps on about how wonderful Afghanistan is and how wonderful all the work they're doing is. She tells the story as it is, the trials, the tribulations and the funny moments. I didn't feel as if she was holding back or patronising me. I felt I was with her on her journey. One criticism I do have is that sometimes the action jumps from things going on in her life to another story about one of her students and the leap is not a smooth transition. Instead it jars slightly and you're very aware she's moved the action. Some of these rough edges could have been smoothed. On the whole though I found the subject matter fascinating, the writing style for the most part was easy to read and the characters had depth. The ending was not what I was expecting but I really hope in another 5 years Debbie will write a follow up book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Great review Sarah, another title for me to watch out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Thank you for that. Sounds like a worthwhile book, especially if it isn't preachy or patronising. I will bear it in mind for one of my exploratory reads. Good review! Pp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Great review Sarah, another title for me to watch out for. Ditto, will definately look out for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Another one for my wishlist - thanks Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I'm reading this at the moment and loving it. My only regret is that I don't have as much time to read as I'd like to because I honestly think this is one of those books I could read from cover to cover! I'd highly recommend it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiotrot Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Just ordered this book, I own a Beauty Salon so the name had instant appeal, cant wait for it to arrive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I just finished this book tonight (yes it did take me THAT long to read it ) OMG I LOVED IT! Agreed the ending wasn't quite what I thought it would be but I'd thoroughly recommend it and I too hope she does a follow up...already desperate to know how its gone since the book was finished last year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maclsj Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 I am so glad you loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiotrot Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Reading this at the moment - so far love it but will let you know when I am finished K xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiotrot Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I really enjoyed this book, it is a subject close to me as I own a salon so reading about the differences in culture and the difficulties in setting up a Beauty school were very interesting. The story is a bit jumpy at times and I felt the ending lacked the substance that the rest of the book had ~ I hope there is a follow up book so the story can be followed through. Recommended KxXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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