Product Description

Kabul Beauty School is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women, all of whom have stories to tell, who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom. Arriving in Afghanistan in 2002 with nothing more than a beauty degree and a desire to help, Deborah Rodriguez set out on a course of action that would change her life and those of many Afghan women. The once proud tradition of beauty schools had been all but destroyed and with it Afghani womens ability to support themselves. As one of the founders of the Kabul Beauty School she set about training women and helping them rebuild their lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72201 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

People - 4 star critics choice
'Rodriguez has written a very gutsy, real-life adventure story for
women... On hearing so many heart-rending stories from local women
decimated by Taliban rule, she opened up a beauty school to give purpose
and money-earning capacity back to then. Her trials and tribulations in
setting up the school and entering an arranged Afghan marriage not only
make fascinating reading but reveal a side to Afghanistan that few
foreigners have experienced or understood. Her courage in tackling gigantic
cultural barriers is also remarkable.'

Review
'A remarkable story' (The Sunday Times )

'A quirky and supremely uplifting read' (Glamour )

'Terrifically readable, and rich in personal stories.' (Kirkus Reviews )

'A terrific opening chapter—colorful, suspenseful, funny—ushers readers into the curious closed world of Afghan women....This witty and insightful (if light) memoir will be perfect for women’s reading groups and daytime talk shows.' (Publishers' Weekly starred review )

'Rodriguez has written a very gutsy, real-life adventure story for women... Her courage in tackling gigantic cultural barriers is also remarkable.' (Publishing News )

'This lively memoir is full of darkly funny moments...and the humor leavens the horror stories about life in this war-torn land. A dishy but substantial read.' (People )

A fascinating account of the friendships she has made and her love affair with the country, its culture and its people a thought-provoking read of one woman determined to make a difference.

Publishers' Weekly, starred review
'colorful, suspenseful, funny'

Customer Reviews

Very disappointing
Great subject - I read a lot of books on the Middle East/Asia/India but after reading the Kiterunner I found the prose very weak. I didn't feel myself getting absorbed in the same way as I did when I read the Kiterunner or Purple Hibiscus - which were so well written. I think some of the American terms spoilt it and it didn't have the depth that I like in a book.

Excellent read!!
I thought that this was an excellent book. I really couldnt put this down. I highly recommend it.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Deborah Rodriguez is a beautician from Michigan who went over to Afghanistan after September 11th to help in any way she could. She quickly fell in love with the country and wanted to reestablish the Afghan beauticians who went out of existence when the Taliban took over. Along with help from others, she opened a beauty school where she trained Afghan women to become beauticians who could then open up their own beauty salons.

This amazing true story is heartwarming yet incredibly sad at the same time. The reader learns the personal and tragic story of the many Afghan women that Rodriguez befriends. We learn of their arranged marriages to men twice their age, abusive husbands who will divorce them if the women can't bear a son, and monetary struggles and desperate attempts to find that money. It is also wonderful to read about these same women becoming independent and happy due to their education from the beauty school and their friendship with Ms. Rodriguez.

This book is truly inspiring and educational. The reader learns about many customs and misconceptions about Afghanistan and its people through the real life experiences of Rodriguez. Her desire to help the kind Afghan people can inspire anyone to do the same.

KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL is sure to please all readers who are open to learning about a foreign people, their customs, and an American woman who felt the need to dedicate her life to those less fortunate.

Reviewed by: Steph