Books
by Asne Seierstad
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A Hundred and One Days - A Baghdad Journal |
This Norwegian journalist and author of The Bookseller of Kabul (bwl 32) entered Baghdad in January 2003 on a ten-day visa but stayed for over three months. Her journal written before, during and just after the war shows that fears of ethnic disintegration were apparent from day one - it also shows how little the allies did to turn the military overthrow of Iraq, which was a foregone conclusion, into a peaceful and effective transition towards a non-dictator government.
(Cecilia Hulse - bwl 33 February 2006) |
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The Bookseller of Kabul |
After the fall of the Taliban this Norwegian writer lived for three months with the extended family of an Afghan bookseller who, despite persecution, had prospered through his passion for books and Afghan culture. Her experience revealed shockingly how, despite "liberation", Muslim authoritarianism leads to the total subjugation of his dependents, above all the women, and the hopelessness of their situation. Fascinating from start to finish although her erstwhile host was outraged by the book.
(Jane Grey-Edwards - bwl 32 November 2005) |
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