The Underground Girls of Kabul

In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan

By: Jenny Nordberg

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

An investigative journalist uncovers a hidden custom in Afghanistan that will transform your understanding of what it means to grow up as a girl.

In Afghanistan, a culture ruled almost entirely by men, the birth of a son is cause for celebration and the arrival of a daughter is often mourned as misfortune. A bacha posh (literally translated from Dari as dressed up like a boy) is a third kind of child - a girl temporarily raised as a boy and presented as such to the outside world. Jenny Nordberg, the reporter who broke the story of this phenomenon for the New York Times, constructs a powerful and moving account of those secretly living on the other side of a deeply segregated society where women have almost no rights and little freedom.

The Underground Girls of Kabul is anchored by vivid characters who bring this remarkable story to life: Azita, a female parliamentarian who sees no other choice but to turn her fourth daughter Mehran into a boy; Zahra, the tomboy teenager who struggles with puberty and refuses her parents’ attempts to turn her back into a girl; Shukria, now a married mother of three after living for 20 years as a man; and Nader, who prays with Shahed, the undercover female police officer, as they both remain in male disguise as adults.

At the heart of this emotional narrative is a new perspective on the extreme sacrifices of Afghan women and girls against the violent backdrop of America’s longest war. Divided into four parts, the book follows those born as the unwanted sex in Afghanistan, but who live as the socially favored gender through childhood and puberty, only to later be forced into marriage and childbirth. The Underground Girls of Kabul charts their dramatic life cycles, while examining our own history and the parallels to subversive actions of people who live under oppression everywhere.

©2014 Jenny Nordberg (P)2014 Random House

Critic reviews

"Five years of intensive reporting have yielded this gritty, poignant, and provocative collage of intimate portraits.… Nordberg conveys captivating nuance and complexity; just when you feel some kind of judgment or conclusive opinion is within reach, she deftly turns the tables, leaving us to reexamine our own prejudices and societal norms as we struggle with questions that are perhaps unanswerable." ( Elle)

"[A] searing exposé… Nordberg's subtle, sympathetic reportage makes this one of the most convincing portraits of Afghan culture in print." ( Publishers Weekly)

"A stunning book… Nordberg has done some staggering work in this unique, important, and compelling chronicle. Book clubs will be riveted, and will talk for hours." ( Booklist)

Glad I read/listened to this book

A great book - good narrator - easy to listen to- highly recommend for better insight into the complex role of women in afganistan

All women should read this book

The accounts of the Afghani girls and women are frightening, but intimately inspiring. As American or Western women we are so casual about our freedoms. Seeing the plight of these women makes our status something we should value and fight fiercely to protect!

Great journalist writing

Glad writers like this exist. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their mind

Important information for all

A lot of information about women's lives in Afghanistan. Important for westerners to know, especially as we venture into the cultures of nations whose history,values and mores we do not have any knowledge of.

Eye opening

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

This is a real wake up call. I would have NEVER even thought this was a real thing had i not heard about it on NPR. The book is a must read for anyone and everyone, male or female. Makes you think .

Informative

Women are still having to adapt just to survive. We will never give up. Ask yourself after reading this what would you do to survive?

Amazing book! The best read of the year!

If you could sum up The Underground Girls of Kabul in three words, what would they be?

Heartwrenching, eye-opening story!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I was spellbound with every word of this narration. To get into the underground world of Afghanistan girls/women as only a first-hand investigation can do is amazing. The author writes with compassion, respect, & deepfelt warmth for these women. It's a compelling story that puts you right there with the women, feeling their pain & angst, their overwhelming desperation for the freedom we take so for granted in the western world.

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

Azita was compelling, rising above the restrictions of her traditions & societal expectations. That she dared to aspire to more than just being an object of an oppressive society not only for herself but the sisterhood of women is incredulous. She risked soooo much in her vision of what could be if only....In spite of the obstacles, she persevered even without the support of the same women she strove to liberate is amazing. Her vision is inspiring for women everywhere & one can only hope that Afghanistan can one day come to the place where women can be whom they really are!

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The inner strength of conviction the girls/women of Kabul possess is an inspiration for women everywhere. Against all odds, they have defied the limitations to be able to live life on their own terms, & to dare to dream.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book & had a hard time putting it down. To imagine life as a girl/woman without regard to the birthright bestowed by our creator is mindboggling in the western world. My hat off to the women of Afghanistan. Thank you Jenny Nordberg for writing this book!

Everyone should read this book to understand the world and get perspectives straight.

I loved this book as I learned so much and realized that the women In Afghanistan are doing what they can to survive not just the women, the men too. I look at the world better after reading this book. It is not as easy to judge when you have knowledge. Thank you for this book Jenny. I am proud to be a Swede!

worth the read

Very well written and informative. Helps understand the culture of why the beliefs establish so much of what occurs and how hard it is to change this string held beliefs. It was interesting to learn that reputation is a more valuable currency than actual currency.

Amazing!

It is a great mix of documentary and first person story telling! What a great read!!!