“The girl who stood up for education and was
shot by the Taliban” is not only the sub-title of Malala’s autobiographical
account but probably the sum total of what most people know about her. This book puts that right by providing not
only her own background but that of her young country and its brief troubled
history.
Though the book starts with a prologue
describing the dreadful shooting it quickly shifts into a conventional time
line as Malala describes her family and early memories in Swat, a princely
state that was absorbed into the newly formed Pakistan making up its northwest
frontier with Afghanistan. As well as
her daily life in her home, she describes the political context in a clear and
balanced manner (perhaps credit here to the co-writing support of foreign
correspondent Christina Lamb).
It is an eye-opening account of life under
threat from both the Taliban and the Pakistani military authorities who vie for
control of the valley. Civil government
is a fiction in these parts. Despite
that, her father’s passion for education defies the odds by founding,
developing and maintaining a school that, whatever the risks, allows girls to
attend and learn.
Malala is an ace student and a vocal advocate
for her and her gender’s right to education.
Her profile on the country rises, along with her father’s, and both know
the dangers that entails but refuse to kowtow.
Events take their course. The prologue has given away the strike, and
the book’s existence testifies to her recovery.
Not just recovery, but triumph; of which this remarkable book, written
by a sixteen year old (albeit with support), is part.
No comments:
Post a Comment