Lipstick in Afghanistan
Publication date/ Length: 2010 / 282 pages
First line: “Do you hear it?” The voice was almost a whisper.
Synopsis (from the jacket cover): Gripped by haunting magazine images of starving refugees, Elsa has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a teenager. Of leaving her humble working-class Boston neighborhood to help people whose lives are far more difficult than her own. No one in her family has every escapted poverty, but Elsa has a secret weapon: a tube of lipstick she found in her older sister’s bureau…
Review: I’m so excited to share this novel! I was contacted by AuthorsOntheWeb.com about reading and reviewing this novel, and I must admit when I accepted I thought it was a memoir. I’m not sure where this impression originated, but I was nearly finished when I saw this quote on the front cover “A remarkable novel about an American nurse’s life-changing journey into war.” However, the author, Roberta Gately, had actually spent six months in Afghanistan as a nurse and turned these experiences into a page-turning, heart-wrenching, but ultimately inspiring novel that was a pleasure to read.
Gately structures her novel with parallel narratives that join in the friendship of the American nurse and Afghanistan woman at the mid-point in the story. Each woman is strong, courageous, and extremely likeable. While their separate narratives are fascinating, their relationship is especially satisfying and emphasizes how similar we are even when from extremely disperate cultures.
Gately also emphasizes how the Taliban has been a scourge to Afghanistan as well as the U.S. Novels like this are crucial so that other parts of the world do not erroneously equate the Taliban with Afghanistan-at-large. However, beyond the political ramifications inherent in any narrative set in the Middle East, Gately has created a compelling, character-driven novel that not only embraces universal motifs of friendship, love, and courage, but is hard to put down, as well!
I whole-heartedly recommend this novel and look forward to passing it along to an interested reader! Simply drop me a comment…
Looks like a really interesting book – would love to read it! Thanks for recommending it!
My book club has been reading nothing but women authors and really have been enjoying memoirs and memoir-esque books. This would be a great next book for us! I would love the chance to win it!
I love books that allow me to explore another culture. This one sounds fascinating.
This looks to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I would SO love the chance to win this. I’m on the hunt for a great book. This looks like it’s the one. Thanks!!
I’m intrigued by the tube of lipstick. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing with us.
I love books that tell a good story but along the way I also learn things. Please consider me for this book. Thanks for your review…sounds interesting.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book. I’d love to read it! Thank you!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I have read alot of reviews about this book and I would find it an interesting read.
Anything to further my knowledge in that part of the world is a welcome read!
I can’t wait to win this(hint hint)!
Sounds great! Would love to read this one.
I would love the opportunity to read this one.
this sounds like a really interesting book, I am trying to read more literature taking place in other countries and this would be a great addition. definitely enter me
strandedhero at gmail dot com
Ooh….this one sounds really good. Thanks for the post of the book. And for the entry for a chance to win it.
Holiday Blessings,
Sandy
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
We have read books about Afghanistan, but from a native voice. I think it would be fascinating to read about the country from an American perspective.
Sounds like a winner–strong and courageous women in a place that’s not always filled with much hope. Thank you for your poignant review. Please consider me as your next reader!
I think my bookclub would be intriqued by this book. We just finished Poisonwood Bible and The Glass Castle. So this is right up our alley.
Eileen
This book looks terrific! I’d love to read it. Thanks for the review.
This sounds like an excellent read and one that is very vital. Thank you for the chance at winning it as well as for the review.
This sounds very good, and something badly needed to give a more rounded look at Afghanistan and its people. I look forward to reading it.
I would very much enjoy this book. I read mostly books about women main characters, and especially enjoy reading those with international settings. This one will be a good one to review on my blog.
Thanks for the giveaway, sounds like a great book!
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me in this giveaway.
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds great! Please include me.