Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan [Paperback]

Melody Ermachild Chavis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312306903 | ISBN-13: 978-0312306908 | Publication Date: September 9, 2004 | Edition: First Edition

The unforgettable story of how one woman dared to start a revolution. Meena founded RAWA in 1977 as a twenty-year-old Kabul University student. She was assassinated in 1987 at age thirty but lives on in the hearts of all progressive Muslim women. Her voice, speaking for freedom, has never been silenced. The compelling story of Meena's struggle for democracy and women's rights in Afghanistan will inspire young women the world over.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Early on in her tribute to Meena, an Afghan woman who founded and led the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan before being assassinated in 1987 at age 30, Chavis tells the legend of another martyred Afghan, Malalai, who was supposedly shot while inspiring her compatriots to defeat the British in 1880. It is a glorified portrait, revealing little more than Malalai's nationalistic bravery. Unfortunately, Chavis' glowing, saccharine telling of Meena's life provides about the same level of insight, reducing this leading Afghan feminist to a storybook heroine. Chavis describes Meena as a selfless, tireless saint who, despite personal tragedy and physical illnesses, never complained and worked each day to help others until she passed out from exhaustion -a clichéd rendering that, while perhaps true, makes for a one-dimensional biography. Just as Chavis' characterizations lack the quirks and complexities needed to bring people to life, her inadequate historical and political background, peppered with such phrases as "flickering flame of freedom," wants for sophistication and nuance. According to the author's note, she spent months in Afghanistan, interviewing Meena's friends and acquaintances. Instead of drawing on the voices of her subjects, however, Chavis largely reconstructs the story from Meena's imagined point of view, a strategy that leads to simplistic, emotive writing. The level of analysis and prose style of this biography will disappoint most adult readers, but may be more appropriate reading for young adults. 10 halftones throughout.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Meena: a life, a country, Afghanistan, a woman's life, women's lives, bravery, and determination to educate girls and young in the face of the cruelest oppression. After Meena's murder, the women inspired by her, despite great danger, continue the work. An important book."
—Grace Paley

"Melody Ermachild Chavis has written a deceptively simple, clear, and absolutely stunning portrait of a selfless revolutionary and of the organization of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, which she founded. Meena, inspires, humbles, and haunts us. Ultimately, Meena compels us to act—for peace and justice, for democracy, and, above all, for the liberation of women. Please read this book. It is a gift from the women of Afghanistan to the women of the world."
—Bettina Aptheker, professor and chair of the women's studies department at the University of California, Santa Cruz

"This is an interesting and useful account of the struggle waged by a young Afghan woman against religious fundamentalism in Afghanistan. The United States government encouraged and supported the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden in the struggle to 'contain' Soviet expansion for a number of years. Meena was a victim of religious fundamentalism, but also of big power interests."
—Nawal El Saadawi, author of A Daughter of Isis and Walking Through Fire

"Timely biography conscientiously detailing the brief but courageous life of the young woman who founded the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). . . A vivid celebration of a contemporary heroine."
—Kirkus Reviews

"A vivid celebration of a contemporary heroine." —Kirkus Reviews

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312306903
• ISBN-13: 978-0312306908
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Heroine, unforgettable.., September 17, 2005

By 

Sarah Luciani (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (Hardcover)

I don't think I have ever read a book as moving as the story of Meena and her life and formation of the feminist group RAWA, (Revolutionary Association for the women of Afghanistan.

This very young woman did so much, risking her life daily to change the face of war torn Afghanistan. Even after her young unexpected death, her mission of hope for a better future in Afghanistan lives on today. Her dream was that one day her beloved country would be in peace and that men and women could live equally. To this day, even after the destruction of the Taliban, Afghanistan and it's people suffer. When you read this book you will be amazed at how much this young woman accomplished in her life. It is unbelievable.

Many of us think of Afghanistan and muslims and we see the face of the enemy, Osama Bin Laden and the horrible Fundementalists that tore up their country. I think it should be required reading in the American schools and when we think of Afghanistan we should see the beautiful face of Meena, who believes in freedom, democracy and that everyone should be given a chance. I will never forget being touched by the life of Meena.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Story of courage and determination, December 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (Hardcover)

This book will open the eyes of any American to the suffering and poverty that women of Afghanistan have gone through for decades. It is the story of not one, but many courageous women and men and their ongoing effort to turn their country into a democracy.

This book is warm and enduring. It is eye-opening. It is a true human interest story. This is what reporters should be reporting on. Not Michael Jackson, or Martha Stewart or anything else.

I would read this book again and again and again if I had the time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the strength of women, March 10, 2005

By 

Joanne Denison "joanne denison" (chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (Hardcover)

An incredible story about an incredible woman who has led many woman since in a quest for equality, justice and human rights in a country that has been war torn for 30+ years. Please read this book and follow the story of a true angel. One that worked to promote justice, fairness and liberty for her people in Afghanistan. The book is excellent, a quick and easy read. Feminists will not be disappointed. Every woman (and her daughter) should read this to be inspiried that the world belongs to them and they should not be dismayed by the circumstances they see and experience around them.