The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is one of those books that changes your life. As a Westerner, you have fixed ideas; as a woman, you have emotions - this book challenges both of these. I struggle to understand why women and men behave as they do in this culture and whilst reading this book in no way makes me condone it, I do feel a small amount of understanding on arriving at the far side of it. I oppose the oppression of women; I abhor how men feel it is ok to treat women as second class citizens in the twenty first century; I cannot comprehend how killing a woman for having a child or for looking at a man or for being a widow is acceptable, but I can understand the concept of shame. Why shame leads to these consequences I am not sure.For me, the most memorable character was Ahmet. His struggles between his beliefs and his heart touched me deeply; his anger and his love were palpable and it is possible to believe that in Ahmet there lies a hope for other young men in Afghanistan, to follow their hearts and still follow their God.Whether this ever means there is hope for these poor women, I am not sure. How I wish words were as powerful as weapons, for then we could ensure peace and equality in all parts of the world.I thank Deborah for writing this book and giving me insight into a truly complex and incomprehensible culture and system of beliefs and I pray that eventually peace will prevail. Although the book was strewn with interesting characters and plots somehow the threads were not connected in any way. What was perhaps much more frustrating was that the author could not wait to end the story and the last few section felt rushed and moved quickly as though the main character herself could not wait to leave the place. With a thorough research and much more blooming characters under the multi-thread plot lines, it could have been better and create a much better resonance to the life and people of Afghan.
What do You think about A Cup Of Friendship (2011)?
Quite enjoyed this story of 5 very differnet women against the backdrop of a wartorn Afganistan.
—toto
Enjoyed this book. Found myself submerged in Kabul and the daily lives of the women there.
—cindytrinh
