By Michelle Hannink, Grand Rapids Public Library
Deborah Rodriguez is an author who hails from Holland, Mich. originally. Hers is a warm, amusing story of her life’s liberation and journey of self-discovery in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. This is also a memoir of discovery of the Afghan people and culture, the observation of the many daily hazards in the fallout of war and political upheaval.
I enjoyed her memoir of life events because although she recounts her early life in an abusive marriage and the demeaning, poor and sometimes violent lives of Afghan women, her telling is full of humor and unflinching honesty. The Afghans have a rich and fascinating culture and family tradition. It is interesting to learn such traditions as marriage arrangements and wedding planning. There are still very defined roles for each gender and the clash of modern influences, social change and tradition provide amusing stories to tell. Still, I found incredible and alarming the purposes of parents and potential grooms for the future lives of very young teen girls in marriage.
Ms. Rodriguez goes to Afghanistan to serve with a non-profit humanitarian group in disaster and medical relief. However, Miss Debbie as she came to be known, is not a medical professional but rather a hairdresser. As a hairdresser she has a natural gift for gab and befriending people of all kinds; she easily fits in with Afghans and Westerners alike. In no time at all she is overwhelmed with requests for hair care. Soon she discovers the local salons were shut down by the Taliban, or operating secretly under shortages and lack of cleanliness. Miss Debbie realizes the need for training and support of new hairdressers and salons in Kabul, and her future mission is set. She searches out financial and products support from international manufacturers and sponsors.
Throughout her struggles to start and run the new Kabul Beauty School, Miss Debbie determines to help bring empowerment, self-respect, and self-support to Afghan women, many whom she came to love as friends. You will find as I did the many individual stories — heartbreaking, incredible, or hilarious at times as you discover life behind the burqa veil in Kabul Beauty School.
