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A review of My Forbidden Face: Growing up under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story

by Latifa

A harrowing, but very well-written and interesting account of life under the Taliban.

Reviewed by: Lisa-Anne Sanderson
About Lisa-Anne Sanderson

My Forbidden Face Extremely harrowing , but very interesting Latifa's story of life under the Taliban in Afghanistan is a book that everyone should read. This tale of almost unbelievable bravery under great extremes of cruelty and danger truly shows that 'the price of freedom is constant vigilance'.

Latifa was an ordinary sixteen year old girl, a practising Muslim who lived a life similar to any teenage girl anywhere in the world. She enjoyed reading, watching videos, chatting to her friends and music. An ambitious girl, she wanted to become a journalist and study for her entry exams. This was until theTabilan imposed their horrific regime on Afghanistan.

Although her family had suffered under previous wars in Afghanistan Latifa had the good fortune to come from a relatively wealthy background, somewhat sheltered from the worst effects of the fighting. Her father was a merchant and her mother a nurse who specialised in gynaecology. They both had a strong belief in women's education.

Latifa's account of life under the Taliban is often gruesome. No depravity or cruelty seemed to be beyond these evil people including rape and murder. They were especially cruel to women, however, making them wear burkhas covering their heads and the whole of their bodies and not allowing them to go to school.

Women could be beaten or raped indiscriminately if they even went out onto the streets. No music was allowed; no videos or television. Even the radio was stopped except for announcements of religious editcts. People could get into grave trouble for just having photographs. This was not the true Muslim faith, but a twisted version of it.

Latifa, too scared to venture out, and unable to continue her studies, suffers greatly and becomes very ill. Her mother also is quite ill for a long time. When Latifa does go out, she sees horrific sights that she will remember for the rest of her life. The country seems to be forgotten and nobody cares, although the destruction of world-famous Buddhas creates some fuss.

However, Latifa is given an opportunity to run a clandestine school for girls and jumps at the chance, showing great courage. Her mother also tries to help women who have suffered under the regime.

Gradually there is more and more news about the horrors of life under this monstrous regime. Nothing changes however until America suffers the horror of September 11 and declares war, a war which it, of course, wins.

This book was different from any other that I've read. Although very upsetting, I still enjoyed it because Latifa writes so clearly and interestingly about the history of Afghanistan and what she had to endure.

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: My Forbidden Face

Copyright © by Lisa-Anne Sanderson, 2002

Reviewed by Lisa-Anne Sanderson:
-- ePublishing for Dummies - by Victoria Rosenborg
-- My Forbidden Face - by Latifa









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