Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a … a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons. Thus an idea was born.
With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.
Yet within the small haven of the beauty school, the line between teacher and student quickly blurred as these vibrant women shared with Rodriguez their stories and their hearts: the newlywed who faked her virginity on her wedding night, the twelve-year-old bride sold into marriage to pay her family’s debts, the Taliban member’s wife who pursued her training despite her husband’s constant beatings. Through these and other stories, Rodriguez found the strength to leave her own unhealthy marriage and allow herself to love again, Afghan style.
With warmth and humor, Rodriguez details the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the magnificence behind the burqa. Kabul Beauty School is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom.
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Set in Afghanistan it gives a realistic picture of the lives of women in this country. I highly recommend it.
The description of this memoir intrigued me and the story did not disappoint.
Such a strange chain of events that led the most unlikely person to become a post war relief aid.
Day after day she saw the devastation, and heard the personal stories from the women of Afghanistan. These heartbreaking stories set the course for a journey that was both …
In this memoir, the author relates her move to Afghanistan to open a beauty school soon after the defeat of the Taliban. This seemingly odd random decision stems from her relentless abiding love for the Afghan people and her realization that her vocation, hair and makeup, can offer women a leg up to economic wellbeing. While describing scenes or …
The author/writer of this biographical journied into Afghanistan after 9/11 with the tools and talent she had, plus a boatload of determination as her “mission” progressed. I have great respect and admiration for Debbie Rodriquez and her ability and willingness to see a most basic need for women under the Burqa, and forging ahead to bless and …
True story! Gave a good sense of Kabul and the lives of the women! Excellent
I really loved this book.
Loved this book!
I enjoyed learning more about Afghanistan, its customs and people.
This is a great book with interesting information about Islamic culture. Easy to read . Can’t wait to read another by her to see if it is as good and full of cultural significance.
Brave woman and a little nutty too.
I I noted this book. It was up predictable, entertaining with wonderful I site on all
The chaacters
These women’s life’s, good bad or indifferent were remarkable and courages
and most creative. What courage enthusiasm for doing what was necessary
To keep on. Keeping on. The characters where remarkable in hard circumstances
The …
From our laid back lifestyle in America, It’s difficult to imagine how other cultures are so backward and unjust but at the same time so normal and natural to them. I found it especially interesting that the author of this book made such an effort to help the women of Afghanistan, that she made such a difference in spite of the culture there.
Special thanks to those brave people who venture into the unknown, giving hope and a future to so many people, sharing the skills they possess that we take for granted here in the US. Well written, informative and insightful look into the lives of women living under Sharia law.
This is a wonderful accepting look into the lives of women in Afghanistan. The author provides a colorful and clear view of this amazing experience.
A very good read, heart warming story
The author takes you into the real-life, current world of repressed women and girls in Afghanistan as she strives to improve their lives and future. Her first-hand experiences of living, working and becoming close friends with them while creating a non-profit school to teach marketable beauty skills, becomes enormously personal.
She becomes …
The clash of cultures is funny and can be heart breaking. The author loves what she does for a living and is an inspired teacher. She like your best friend, you love her in spite of the crazy things she does for fun.
Absolutely fascinating!