Kabul Beauty School Audiobook By Deborah Rodriguez, Kristin Ohlson cover art

Kabul Beauty School

An American Woman Goes behind the Veil

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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. Biographies & Memoirs Gender Studies Women Beauty, Grooming & Style Inspiring Marriage Social Sciences Beauty School

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)
Compelling Stories • Cultural Insights • Strong Clear Voice • Inspiring Women • Eye-opening Content • Rich Voice Quality

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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%

I loved it!

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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.

Learning more about the women under cover

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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.

Cultural eye opener

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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.

Never lived up to the first chapter

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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.

Really enjoyed this and Cup of Friendship

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