Customer Reviews

Aman: The Story of a Somali Girl

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A fascinating biography of a Somali woman. A must for anyone who is interested in women in Africa, for the story is not Aman's alone, but that of her grandmother, her mother, and her siblings.

I read this book because I am studying Psychology and it is the focus of a personality assessment piece I am to present. I found 'Aman' to be an easy read, but a pleasurable one. For those who choose to criticise her story, I would put to you that Aman did not presume to explain her story as that of EVERY Somali woman, but of her own life experience. Furthermore, I have been educated in the fact that not EVERY Somali woman is as dependent on her husband as I once presumed. I thank Aman for teaching ME a thing or two.

I began reading this book for a research project and became enraptured. It will transport you to the time and place Aman speaks of. Not only did i fall in love with her story and the charaters in the story, but two years later, many of the historical facts and truths of somalia have really stuck with me. Poignant and at times painful, this book is unforgatable and enlightening.

I have worked quite a bit with Somali refugees, and have established friendships with several individuals. I picked this book up in hopes of understanding more about the background of the older individuals I encounter (same "age" as Aman). The first third of the book I really enjoyed, and I think, learned much from. From that point onward, it seems to become less and less representative of "the general" experience or "a typical" experience. Though I cruised through the first part, by midpoint my interest was dropping off quickly, and I had to convince myself to finish it. If this is one of the better books to read about Somalia or Somalis, it is only because there are so few contenders.

I had to read this book for my cultural anthropology class, I loved it! What an adventure, you can't help but to feel for Aman. This book is very interesting, I love the style, it is her interview translated so the voice of the text is very honest and real. This book opens your eyes to and brings you into a different culture and different way of life. Definitely worth reading.

Very good book...made me want to learn more about the somali culture and people. Aman is a strong woman that had to go through alot at such a young age. Great book and it makes me better appreciate what I have!!

This book was written so well that you could almost taste and smell Amans surroundings.
Aman is an amazing peek into the lives of Somali women.

this book really gave me new insight and understanding into somalian culture. i really enjoyed the honest and unpretentious narrative style.

Not a good start for anyone working with Somali people as the book distorts the whole truth of how Somalis treat "their" women.This was a girl who at her young age, fell in love with an Italian boy and slept with many different men mostly Italian settlers while roaming around Mogadishu's red lights. The book does not give even a bird's eye view point of what life a Somali woman has in Somalia and the way she is treated in her community. Readers should consult with more other books or observe the Somali community in their country.

I love the book one of my favorites but it took quite a while to get there. Other than that, I am pleased.