Jenny Nordberg

An award-winning foreign correspondent who contributed to a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times series reveals the secret Afghan custom of disguising girls as boys to improve their prospects, discussing its political and social significance as well as the experiences of its practitioners. 30,000 first printing.

In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan

The Underground Girls of Kabul

Emily McMeans

“We know what it’s like to be men, but they know nothing about us.”

Phenomenal look at the state of gender and women in Afghanistan. Thought provoking insights into state building. I wonder what the author would say today, ten years later, without expanded vocabulary for and understanding of gender, as well as with the resurgence of Taliban rule.

Kathy Jedrzejczyk

I thought this was an extremely well written book. I had little knowledge of the politics of Afghanistan and now I feel like actually have some idea of what is going on there. This book reveals some incredibly tragic situations that many women are in. However, it also gave me a sense of awe and respect for so many of these women who are standing up for themselves and the rights of other women despite the danger they are putting themselves into. It made me re-evaluate my own role in my society and made me think about our social constructs and how they have defined me. It made me so thankful for all the rights that I have, but also to think about how far we still have to go to have full equal rights in America and all other countries.

Todd Luallen

It's a tragedy that women are treated so poorly in Afghanistan, and listening to their sad tales was heart breaking. As a father of one amazing daughter, it was troublesome to read that many families in Afghanistan consider daughters to be a burden, while sons are a blessing. I've heard plenty of stories about the treatment of women in Muslim countries, but this was the first time I read specific accounts. The book does a good job of showcasing the problems, but I didn't hear of any solutions. I was left feeling as if the situation was hopeless. And I was also left feeling like financial aid was a complete waste. Very sad indeed. Lord, please watch over these precious little ones.

Jeni Enjaian

I wanted to much to love this book. Nordberg delves into a complex, nuanced subject that fascinates me as well. However, several times along the way, I wondered what sort of book I had stumbled into as the narrative took a turn related to the topic but a turn that I did not expect in this particular type of book. Additionally, at the end, Nordberg spends a significant amount of time telling the story of one of her main characters, Azita, and of the political turmoil in Afghanistan. This topic tangentially relates to the topic of the book but only tangentially. In the end, the wandering narrative kept me from rating this with four stars, not because I thought it was a bad book. I think everyone needs to learn more about this.

Gigi V

Jordan Peet

Kathy Rodger 

An award-winning foreign correspondent who contributed to a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times series reveals the secret Afghan custom of disguising girls as boys to improve their prospects, discussing its political and social significance as well as the experiences of its practitioners.

Allison Gordon

Christine Liu

Fredrika Lindh

An Afghan woman's life expectancy is just 44 years, and her life cycle often begins and ends in disappointment: being born a girl and finally, having a daughter of her own. For some, disguising themselves as boys is the only way to get ahead. Nordberg follows women such as Azita Rafaat, a parliamentarian who once lived as a Bacha Posh, the mother of seven-year-old Mehran, who she is raising as a Bacha Posh as well, but for different reasons than in the past. There's Zahra, a teenage student living as a boy who is about to display signs of womanhood as she enters puberty. And Skukria, a hospital nurse who remained in a bacha posh disguise until she was 20, and who now has three children of her own. Exploring the historical and religious roots of this tradition, The Underground Girls of Kabul is a fascinating and moving narrative that speaks to the roots of gender.

The Underground Girls of Kabul In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan

Reviews

Highlights