Malala is a girl who needs no introduction. She has created quite a sensation when she has bagged Nobel Peace prize at the age of 17 in 2014. I wanted to read about education and understand its several dimensions. That is the reason I have picked up this book and I am not disappointed.
What is this book about?
It is biography of Malala, detailing her life till 2013. It describes events in Swat valley, which is considered as Switzerland of East. Situation in the region and their effects on Malala's life, along with other people in the region are described in the book.
We learn about political situation in Pakistan and role of various actors including Taliban, military and political parties in it. Social and cultural life of the region is also talked about though it not the main subject of the book. Various details of day to day life during the conflict is an interesting read, more so because they are not covered in media usually.
Postives:
Reading about Swat’s beauty, Pashtun culture was interesting.
We know about several great characters including Malala and her father Ziauddin who fought against violence, destruction and regressive policies defying not only non-state actors like Taliban but also of military establishment. Their courage even in the face of death is shocking. Reading about such people is definitely inspiring. Malala's father in particular is just mesmerizing. He reminded me of Atticus Finch from the novel "To Kill A Mocking Bird", because of his integrity and courage.
It is biography of Malala, detailing her life till 2013. It describes events in Swat valley, which is considered as Switzerland of East. Situation in the region and their effects on Malala's life, along with other people in the region are described in the book.
We learn about political situation in Pakistan and role of various actors including Taliban, military and political parties in it. Social and cultural life of the region is also talked about though it not the main subject of the book. Various details of day to day life during the conflict is an interesting read, more so because they are not covered in media usually.
Postives:
Reading about Swat’s beauty, Pashtun culture was interesting.
We know about several great characters including Malala and her father Ziauddin who fought against violence, destruction and regressive policies defying not only non-state actors like Taliban but also of military establishment. Their courage even in the face of death is shocking. Reading about such people is definitely inspiring. Malala's father in particular is just mesmerizing. He reminded me of Atticus Finch from the novel "To Kill A Mocking Bird", because of his integrity and courage.
Its a good source to know details of political history in Pakistan. Politics in Pakistan are messy and not easy to make sense except that military is all powerful. This book declutters it to an extent.
It details struggles of people who fought just for a chance to attend school. Ziauddin values education and considered it as necessary to come out of religious fundamentalism, and progress towards peace and prosperity. He puts in huge effort in making a school available to people of the region and also in campaigning for right of everyone to get education.
It details struggles of people who fought just for a chance to attend school. Ziauddin values education and considered it as necessary to come out of religious fundamentalism, and progress towards peace and prosperity. He puts in huge effort in making a school available to people of the region and also in campaigning for right of everyone to get education.
Though India is far from perfect in education, it is recognized as a constitutional right and there is large effort from government and civil society to give everyone access to quality education. Reading this will help us appreciate the fact that we live in a peaceful society where we don't have to campaign for our right to education or dropout from school due to security reasons.
Negatives:
Writing style of the book is not that great.
At times, it is heavy on political details.
As the book deals with conflict, many negative incidents are described in it. Description of some of them felt disproportionate to the gravity of them. As a result, it is confusing at some places.
Overall Comment:
It is rated as the second best war time biography after Anne Frank’s biography by some reviewers. I feel this has better details of history than Anne Frank’s though writing style is not equally great.
This is worthy read though it feels dragged at some places.
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