Customer Reviews

Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedom

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Words are not enough to portray the emotion packed into the telling of Zoya's Story. Brought up with parents who believed in education, democracy, human rights, feminism, and above all a mother deeply involved in "The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan", also known as RAWA, Zoya's story begins as a young child in the city of Kabul. We follow her earlier days through the Russian occupation, then the Mujahideen of the Northern Alliance, made up of warlords that raped and murdered their own people, and finally through the insanity of the Taliban, a perverse adherence to nothing that even slightly resembles the teachings of Mohammed and the pronouncements made in the Koran, where women became something to be hidden, not to laugh or voice a word.

Zoya was educated and cared for by RAWA and by the age of 16 became an active member in this organization that reaches out to thousands of Afghan women, supporting them financially, educationally, and psychologically. Though only 23 years of age at the telling of this story, Zoya has lived far more than a lifetime. Her patriotism runs so deep it will wrench your heart. She believes that the future of her beloved Afghanistan lies in the intellects and hearts of the children, at any cost they must be educated so they can meet the needs of a democratic society in the future. Small groups of children are hidden away in safe houses where they are educated, in a country where it is in threat of death for a woman to learn and the only lessons to be given are study of the Koran.

I was appalled by the atrocities, unspeakable tortures, and hatred put forth in the name of religion and suffered by the Afghan people under the reign of the fundamentalists. Yet I was strengthened by the knowledge that there are educated people working diligently to return this country to a well-deserved peace after years of unjustifiable war at the hands of those men in power. May Allah grant their prayers and smile down upon them.

This was truly one of the best books I ever read. Accurate, and filled with a candor that leaves you with a need to do something to make this world just a little bit better. Most of all it made me realize, I should be thankful every day of my life for the freedom I have as an American. Kelsana 6/10/02

As a high school history teacher, I am always looking for materials that will engage and is appropriate for a young adult audience. Zoya's Story does a masterful job of telling a remarkable story about an extraordinary young woman that will catch the attention of younger readers (which is a challenge with political and historical material). The vocabulary is understandable for younger readers but is not simplistic. The understated writing style is powerful and accessible for diverse readers. And although the examples of horrible cruelty and absurdity are many, the author doesn't dwell on them so the story doesn't seem tiresome or preachy.
Zoya's desire not to marry or give birth is in a certain sense unsettling as she seems in so many ways a caring and compassionate person. However, her commitment to her people and to RAWA apparently doesn't leave time for personal pleasures and serious heterosexual relationships.
I hope there is a sequel to Zoya's Story---it would be interesting in a few years to see where Zoya is, whether her spirit is unwavering and what she makes of the Northern Alliance, the United States, RAWA, etc.

Those that live through the destruction of their homeland will have their lives forever changed. The rest of us only have to glimpse into the window of a world in which we are only too grateful to be far removed from.

From her youngest days as a child, to a full fledged member of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), Zoya tells her story simply but it holds much impact. Her courage and determination are remarkable as she tells of a childhood occupied by the Russians, driven out by the Mujahideen, and overthrown by the Taliban. As every new oppressor, each more savage then the previous tore her country apart, she continued her work to reveal the truth to the world, to fight for a women's right to education, and to bring relief to refugees who have lost everything.

Her story and message is one of continued hope for her country that has been betrayed so many times, and she seems unshaken in her loyalty to her country and her mission. She continues her covert work to this day, and like her RAWA sisters, continues to keep her true identity hidden.

What can I say about this book. It made me cry, but it also gave me hope. I admire Zoya's courage and strength. It took me on a journey of Afghanistan and its people. I saw her grandmother praying on the pad, I was there when she almost fell down, because she couldn't see through the burqa. I can't tell you how much this book can change you as a person. You have to read it for yourself and experience the heart of a child and the courage of a woman. That is Zoya. I would like to know what she is doing now.

Zoya is a non-violent revolutionary. Zoya is strong and has a good heart. She is an excellent role model. She works endless hours selflessly. I feel that she is an incredible person, and that all people should read her story. It is easy to feel compassion towards her and her friends. She is an all around good person, and puts the needs of others before her own.
Zoya has helped so many, and done things I would not have the guts to do.

Would I recommend Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedom? YES! This book was incredible. It gave me a total different view of Afghans, their lives, and their response to September 11th.

Zoya opens up you to her world and the world of others. I highly suggest you read this book. It was so interesting! You truly felt empathy for her. I would not suggest this book for people that have a hard time stomaching a few gory details, but this is what she sees daily. This is probably one of my favorite non-fiction books. It opened my eyes to something I had shown ignorance to before.

When I first started to read this book, I thought I had already read it because the beginning is very similar to My Forbidden Face. But then after a few more pages, it changes completely. This book is about a young woman named Zoya who becomes involved in a group called RAWA, which is a group that stands up for women's rights. She describes in detail the hardships that she must endure living in Kabul and Pakistan. If you are at all interested in women's rights, then this is a book for you. It's a quick read but I know you'll love it.

Zoya has an amazing story to tell. She was born and raised in Afghanistan and lost both parents to murder when she was very young. She moves to Pakistan with her adopted grandmother and completes her education at an all girl's school. Zoya joins a revolutionary group of women who aspire to change the way women are treated in muslim countries. Zoya takes many risks, suffers unimaginable losses and difficulties but always manages to remain gracious and strong. This book strongly impacted me and made me realize how good a life I have in the USA.

Can you imagine... living in a house with dried mud walls and being comfortable sharing your room with termites that you could hear munching hungrily? How about going to a public bath? Having only a lightbulb to keep yourself warm? Not going to school until age 14? Daily living with the danger of being whipped, raped, or killed? Witnessing a man's hands being cut off?

Zoya's story begins when Zoya is 4 years old, and the Russians are occupying her country. What Zoya experiences, the reader experiences - the time she meets a woman Russian soldier, how she reacts, and what her Grandmother tells her later about Russians ("not all Russians are bad"); the times she spends with her father's books and her father, going over the only homework she has - what he has given her; times spent flying a kite; times spent listening to her grandmother's wonderful stories of times past in other countries as well as her own; times spent asking her mother why she's never home with Zoya and as she grows older, Zoya's happiness at being included in her mother's work.

Zoya's story is laid out nicely; there are chapters that are separated by time frames (the first being the Russian occupation; the last being the attack on the U.S. and the events that followed). It's easy to understand, and interesting. I was fascinated by the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), what their goals were, the courageous women (and men) who risked their lives to help others, and how RAWA put money into educating girls like Zoya as well as women of all ages who were refugees who did not know how to read or write. RAWA also put money into hospitals.

Hearing about the loss and deep despair of the people of Afghanistan was gut-wrenching, but helped me to learn what life is like there and to be inspired by Zoya's willingness to help others.

Having grown up with the priviledges of living in the United States one can only imagine the devestation this amazing young woman has gone through in her short, inspiring life.

At the tender age of 7, this courageous girl already started her early beginnings helping her mother work for RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan). Living in a country that had been overtaken by the Russians in what they called "the puppet regime", one couldn't imagine that life could get worse in this destitute country, ravaged by war and poverty. "The bleeding wound" Gorbachav called it.

Zoya's graphic, heroic and saddening story told with such detail brings you to a life, I would say you "could just imagine", but I can't imagine that life. orphaned at a young age, under two controlling fundamentalist Moslem regimes, life in Afghanistan only seems to grow worse. Under the control of the Taliban, you will read of the most inhumane, torturous treatment. The taking of lives. I always knew how awful the Taliban was, but I never knew from an individual's personal experience what it was REALLY like to live there.

This incredible young woman has done so much for the woman and people of Afghanistan, helping refugees, teaching women to read and write in a country where 90% of the women are illiterate, spreading the words of freedom, where her life can be taken at any time. Zoya is a true hero and inspiration.

There is one line in the book that I will never forget, and I believe it is how Zoya truelly loves and feels for her country. It is a line from an old Afghan folklore "I am ready to die for my love, but I want my love to be ready to die for my country." This is the passion Zoya lives with on her crusade to make life better for people in Afghanistan.

This book opened my eyes. I had heard about all the restrictions on women in Afghanistan, but reading about them from Zoya's perspective brought them to life. I think all women should read this book. It shows us that people do not have to sit and take whatever the world offers them. One person can make a difference.