Dear Zari: the Secret Lives of Women Afghanistan in Bloomington, MN

"A powerful collection of testimonies that depict the struggles and hopes of Afghan women. An often emotional and at times painful read, this book is ultimately a poignant celebration of human resilience under unimaginable duress. " —KHALED HOSSEINI,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Kite Runner
"I am deeply touched by these stories...
Dear Zari
should be read by anyone who cares and wants to know about Asia and Asian women." —XINRAN
"All the stories in
illustrate the suffering caused by deeply ingrained Afghan traditions. But [the women's} bravery and resilience shines through and Kargar touchingly reveals how hearing others' life stories finally gave her the courage to share her own. " —
The Independent
Moving, enlightening, and heartbreaking,
gives voice to the secret lives of Afghan women. For the first time,
allows these women to tell their stories in their own words: from the child bride given as payment to end of a family feud, to a life spent in a dark, dusty room weaving carpets, from a young girl being brought up as a boy, to a woman living as a widow shunned by society.
Intimate, emotional, painful and uplifting, these stories uncover the suffering and strength of women in this deeply religious and intensely traditional society, and show how their courage is an inspiration to women everywhere.