Dancing in the Mosque
Books | Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
4.1
Homeira Qaderi
A People Book of the Week & a Kirkus Best Nonfiction of the YearAn exquisite and inspiring memoir about one mother’s unimaginable choice in the face of oppression and abuse in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.In the days before Homeira Qaderi gave birth to her son, Siawash, the road to the hospital in Kabul would often be barricaded because of the frequent suicide explosions. With the city and the military on edge, it was not uncommon for an armed soldier to point his gun at the pregnant woman’s bulging stomach, terrified that she was hiding a bomb. Frightened and in pain, she was once forced to make her way on foot. Propelled by the love she held for her soon-to-be-born child, Homeira walked through blood and wreckage to reach the hospital doors. But the joy of her beautiful son’s birth was soon overshadowed by other dangers that would threaten her life.No ordinary Afghan woman, Homeira refused to cower under the strictures of a misogynistic social order. Defying the law, she risked her freedom to teach children reading and writing and fought for women’s rights in her theocratic and patriarchal society.Devastating in its power, Dancing in the Mosque is a mother’s searing letter to a son she was forced to leave behind. In telling her story—and that of Afghan women—Homeira challenges you to reconsider the meaning of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival. Her story asks you to consider the lengths you would go to protect yourself, your family, and your dignity.
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More Details:
Author
Homeira Qaderi
Pages
217
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published Date
2020-12-01
ISBN
006297033X 9780062970336
Community ReviewsSee all
"Dancing in the Mosque" by Homaira Qaderi is a beautifully written memoir that captivates readers with its raw emotion and vivid storytelling. The book is incredibly well laid out, as the author seamlessly connects the stories of the past to those of the future.<br/><br/>One of the most notable aspects of this memoir is how Qaderi sews together the stories from her childhood to let her son know that she exists and to tell him about herself and her love for him. She offers an intimate glimpse into her life, sharing her experiences of growing up in war-torn Afghanistan and how it shaped her worldview.<br/><br/>It is heart-wrenching to read about Qaderi's love for Afghanistan, which is evident throughout the book, and yet her inability to remember a single moment when her country wasn't at war. The author's love for her country is palpable, and her descriptions of the beauty of Afghanistan and its people make the reader fall in love with the country as well.<br/><br/>What sets this memoir apart is the way Qaderi paints the canvas of her life. Her writing is so evocative and powerful that it brought me to tears multiple times. The author writes with such raw emotion that it is impossible not to be moved by her story.<br/><br/>I was thrilled to know about Qaderi's reunion with her son, which is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This memoir is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and love.<br/><br/>In conclusion, "Dancing in the Mosque" is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and what it means to love and be loved. This book is a beautiful tribute to Qaderi's life and her unwavering love for her country and her family."
Neg
"I found it painful but also beautiful and inspiring. It is a must read book."
F S
Frederika Schendel
