Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali --- my 4/50

[vegablack62.livejournal.com]

Ayann Hirsi Ali's memoir Infidel is first off a very compelling and engaging read.  She writes well and knows how to tell her story.  What's more she has had a fascinating life.  I was expecially interested in her description of her childhood and family history in Somalia.  Her grandmother and her own mother were both strong dominating women who at times abused her, at other times pushed her into being strong herself, even as they enforced the restrictive rules of their religion and culture.  Her mother is a fascinating and tragic character.  She traveled to a city from the countryside as a young girl where she embreaced both education, and modernity and a fiercely conservative Islam. 

Ayann Ali herself embraced both at times the liberal carefuly considered Islam of her father, the conservative Islam of the Moslem Brotherhood, and finally the Atheism that she discovered in school in the Netherlands.  (Interesting I found her reactions to Holland and to Atheism very similar to her mother's to modern urban life and Wahabiism.)  I enjoyed reading this and for those who disagree with her I would say that this is her take on her own life and not anothers.

Comments

[vash137.livejournal.com]

Loved this book! Just recently read it myself, and you've saved me the trouble of writing a review :)