The autobiography of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a harsh evocative story which illustrates her life from her Somalian childhood, to restrictive youth in Mecca, Saudia Arabia, to Kenyan and then escape to Holland. Clearly describing her life of beatings, harsh mutilation, devout believer, escape from a forced marriage and asylum in the Netherlands, education and her political awakening and doubts and changes in her faith. As an insight into the restrictive life of one brought up within the constraints of Islam as practiced in parts of Africa and Arabia it was illuminative.
A fascinating book illustrating a woman's life and a window into the life of someone who had considered the faith of her birth as omnipotent and then through life and education changed her outlook and perception completely. For many of us it was not the harshness of her life which shocked us but the perceptions, ignorance and prejudices shown that we found most 'interesting/horrifying'. We were all glad that we had read it and the debate was extensive.
Words used to describe it: fascinating, enlightening, eye opening, informative
Marks out of 10: 8 across the board! That's a first.
Next book
Wonder by RJ Palaccio
Next Meeting
Change of date now Thursday 19th March
at 72 Kingwood Road
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