Plot Summary
Parvana is a little girl, growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan shortly after the reversal of the Soviet Invasion. The Taliban has taken the city of Kabul, forcing the women out of their jobs and schools. Every day, Parvana accompanies her father to the market, where he sets up a booth and reads and writes letters and other documents for the mostly-illiterate population of Kabul.
Parvana's mother and sister have to stay inside their tiny apartment in a partially bombed-out building because it's illegal for a woman to be seen outside without a male escort. And, even with a male escort, they'd have to wear burqas.
When Parvana's father is arrested for no reason, Parvana cuts her hair and dresses like a boy so she can continue her father's business.
What I liked
A great story, and exceptionally well written. Just as I've come to expect from Deborah Ellis.
The characters are well drawn. The description of Kabul under the Taliban is very good.
The quality of this novel is awesome. It was pretty much like being right in Kabul and getting to know little Parvana and her family.
What I didn't Like
Almost nothing. The story-telling (to me) reads a little bit like a newspaper (lots of detail, not much feeling) but that suits the story, and the characters. It actually works pretty well.
Conclusion/Recommendation
As with every Deborah Ellis book I've read so far, I recommend this one to EVERYBODY. A solid 5/5 turbaned Talibs. (Thanks, Joey!)
Parvana is a little girl, growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan shortly after the reversal of the Soviet Invasion. The Taliban has taken the city of Kabul, forcing the women out of their jobs and schools. Every day, Parvana accompanies her father to the market, where he sets up a booth and reads and writes letters and other documents for the mostly-illiterate population of Kabul.
Parvana's mother and sister have to stay inside their tiny apartment in a partially bombed-out building because it's illegal for a woman to be seen outside without a male escort. And, even with a male escort, they'd have to wear burqas.
When Parvana's father is arrested for no reason, Parvana cuts her hair and dresses like a boy so she can continue her father's business.
What I liked
A great story, and exceptionally well written. Just as I've come to expect from Deborah Ellis.
The characters are well drawn. The description of Kabul under the Taliban is very good.
The quality of this novel is awesome. It was pretty much like being right in Kabul and getting to know little Parvana and her family.
What I didn't Like
Almost nothing. The story-telling (to me) reads a little bit like a newspaper (lots of detail, not much feeling) but that suits the story, and the characters. It actually works pretty well.
Conclusion/Recommendation
As with every Deborah Ellis book I've read so far, I recommend this one to EVERYBODY. A solid 5/5 turbaned Talibs. (Thanks, Joey!)
i love your review, and i love the new format. crisp and clear ... :)
ReplyDeleteyou're the best! xo
Amazing books! This got the best response from my reading club kids of any book we read. I brought them some naan to eat during class, which they were underwhelmed by but I thought was amazing.
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