Kabul Beauty School

An American Woman Goes behind the Veil

By: Deborah Rodriguez, Kristin Ohlson

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Most Westerners working in Afghanistan spend their time tucked inside a military compound or embassy. Not Deborah Rodriguez. Here, she tells the story of the beauty school she founded in the middle of Kabul and of the vibrant women who were her students.

When Rodriguez opened the Kabul Beauty School, she not only empowered her students with a new sense of autonomy but also made some of the closest friends of her life. Woven through the book are the stories of her students: the newlywed who must fake her virginity; the 12-year-old sold into marriage to pay her family's debts; and a woman who pursues her training despite her Taliban husband's constant beatings. They all bring their stories to the beauty school, where, along with Rodriguez herself, they learn the art of perms, friendship, and freedom.

©2007 Deborah Rodriguez-Turner (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"A terrific opening chapter - colorful, suspenseful, funny - ushers readers into the curious closed world of Afghan women." (Publishers Weekly)
"A lively narrative of the author's experiences reacquainting Afghan women with skills the mullahs had denied them....Terrifically readable, and rich in personal stories." (Kirkus Reviews)

I loved it!

I really loved this book and loved the way the person reading it sounded. She made it sound like she was in the room with me talking about what happened. I reccomend this one 100%

Learning more about the women under cover

I really enjoyed every bit of this story. It was great to learn more about the women who live, and learn to be stronger in such a conflicted country. The descriptive writing made me "see" these women and the environment they survive in. Also makes me want to find an organization the I can contribute to to help these women.

Cultural eye opener

This is a great story that will open the doors to the elusive lives of Afghan women, including their challenges and determination. Rodriquez left for Kabul from Michigan and didn’t have much to offer but her hairstyling skills. However, she soon realized teaching Afghan women her trade secrets will provide them income opportunity in a harsh war-torn country. Part inspirational, part cultural eye-opener, but either way it’s a Great Listen that will keep you engaged until the end wanting to know more about all the women.

Never lived up to the first chapter

I listened to this for a book club. I thought the overall concept of the story was very interesting, but the organization of the story is a bit of a mess. Mid chapter dash the author completely changes gears – I had to keep looking to see if I had pushed the story ahead 30 seconds or to the next chapter by accident. I was really drawn in to the first chapter (which takes place chronologically towards the end of the story.). The rest of the book never we have done up to the excitement or the intrigue of the first chapter – and the end of the book is a bit of a let down. I don’t know what I was expecting in terms of a wrap up, but I was disappointed.

Really enjoyed this and Cup of Friendship

If you’re independent with a sense of adventure, I think you’ll like this book. I was a little uncomfortable at first because, in some ways, this seems like a “white savior” book. But, when she describes how and why she felt such a strong connection with the women, I no longer felt that way.

Wrong title

A title usually reflects the main idea of a work - this ought to have been called "Debi's Adventures in Afghanistan" or "The Un-Quiet American." At least the author admits her lack of sensitivity to Afghan culture though most of her sojourn.

I would have liked to learn more about the NGO "Beauty Without Borders" and less of Debi's personal life, but it was her memoir so she gets to choose. As it is a memoir, we need to take her view of the action with a grain of salt, I think. I in no way want to excuse the brutality of the Afghan men she describes (and at least she shows us that American men can be brutes, too, and Christianity too can to be used to try to keep women in abusive situations) - but since she talks about the effects of post tramautic stress on the women, let's admit it affected the Afghan men too.

The reader won't learn much about authentic Islam and might come away with the impression that most Afghans appreciated getting what little remained of their infrastruture destroyed in retaliation for 9/11. IF Osama had been hiding in Afghanistan, I'm sure Debi would have had more success in tracking him down on her way to Kabul than did all those bombs. If this is to be your first read about Afghanistan, better download more than this memoir.

That said, this is an easy listen, and might appeal to some who don't like the darker novels or nonfiction on the subject. And good for Debi for doing more than I ever did to save the world!

Interesting subject matter.

I am interested in the culture of Afghanistan since we are at war in their country. This book provided a nice inside view of the people, particularly the women. I do recommend this book, however the author includes personal information about herself that I found uninteresting and boring. That was my reason for giving it 4* instead of 5. Another book on the same subject is The Bookseller of Kabul, which I liked more.

enjoyable

Easy to listen to and follow. Great insight into Kabul and life there, the needs of women and their strength.

An independent woman is a happy woman...Touched !.

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

Yes i would and i have ... I work for audible and i listen to many books monthly. I have recommended it to several customers who i think would be blessed by the message such as teachers and councellors who i feel can use it in their daily lives to inspire the lives of women they meet daily . Kabul beauty school gave an insight into a culture not known to many westerners . The ideals women in the west cultivate , encourage and live happily, seem to be unknown to that of the afghan women . I hope the stories of these brave and ground breaking women inspire women world wide ... To be taught something is to gain knowledge , to learn from experience gives confidence

What other book might you compare Kabul Beauty School to and why?

none that i have read but it was really good

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no i havent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it left me wanting more constantly

Any additional comments?

i hope the book touched others the way it touched me . Positivily...

Enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I liked the narrator and acutallyfelt like she was the author and was talking to me. I listen in the car and when I walk for excercise. I couldn't wait to get in the car or excercise so I could here more. I would love to know what happens next.