Shabanu: Daughter Of The Wind (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
In the book Shabanu, by Suzanne Fisher Staples, Shabanu, the younger of two, lives with her father, mother, sister, grandfather, and cousins in a small town in Pakistan. In this small town, Shabanu and her family heard cattle. In this story, Shabanu addresses her relationship with her sister, Phulan. She is very jealous of her sister, because she is very beautiful, and she is to be married to a handsome, man, Hamir in the summer. Unlike her sister, Shabanu is too young to be married, but has been promised that when the time comes, she will marry Hamir’s younger brother. Even though it’s hard to be Phulan’s sister at times, Shabanu has a great life. She loves living in the desert, and most of all, she loves their camels. "Phulan looks regal with the red chadr over her shiny black hair. She looks like a flower blooming in the desert sunset, the wind whipping her clothes around her in sheets of color" (Staples 92).This quote further reveals the tension between Shabanu and Phulan early in the book. But as the story progresses, they become closer and more protective of each other. For example, later on in the book when Phulan is being harassed by a greedy guy named Nazir Mohammad, Shabanu saves her by pouring water on Nazir. From this point on, their relationship is really strong, and Shabanu learns to better accept her flaws. I liked hearing everything from Shabanu’s perspective. Even though her character is very young, she is very insightful. For an eleven year old, she is very caring and independent. She cares a lot about other people, and her camel, Guluband. Her parents make her take on all of the herding responsibilities, because they have no son, and someone has to do it. Other people would be very mad about that, but Shabanu doesn’t mind. She is happiest when she is with her camels. Overall I really liked this book and thought it very strong characters that developed other the course of the book.
I will admit that I had a really hard time getting into it. The pace was extremely slow until about page 150, when the action started. I also wonder if American teenagers would really be able to relate in any way to this book. Though some might be able to make the connection of Shabanu's desire for freedom to their own lives, so many of the details seemed a little difficult to relate to. After all, we're talking about a culture where girls get married as soon as they get their first period and are expected to bear children as teenagers. It's a culture where fathers beat their daughters and it's considered normal, and children have no say in their own lives. It certainly is eye-opening to read about this sort of culture. I'm just not sure if teenagers would really appreciate it. As far as whether it is authentic or realistic - I personally don't know this culture very well, so that's a very hard thing for me to judge.I suppose the thing that bothers me a little is that I’m not sure how we are supposed to interpret the culture based on this book. Are we supposed to like and appreciate it? Or are we supposed to dislike the culture because of how it robs Shabanu of her freedom and most of her happiness? There were certain, maybe I'd say stereotypes, that were unsettling to read. Many people do have the idea that Muslims are very strict, the women are obedient, and the men cruel. While we saw some great men in this story, I'm not so sure about some of the other implications for other characters. Phulan is portrayed as a girl that is stupid and empty headed, but she is also the obedient one that does what her culture wants of her. Auntie is portrayed as a mean character, and she is also the one who is described as fat - and people are cruel to her because of it. I worry that this book almost puts this culture in a bad light. I'm not sure. I just know that it really had me thinking about this way of life.
What do You think about Shabanu: Daughter Of The Wind (2003)?
This book is telling a girl's life named Shabanu, the place is Pakistan, they are a typical Pakistan family and their traditions are different than us. In their cultur some families live by taking care of animals such as camels and Shabanu's families is one of them. In their tradition women are marrying in an early age and the book is starting with Shabanu's sister, Phulan's, weeding preparations. I took this book from library, I had lots of hope because I am usually trusting the books who has won awards because those kind of awards giving fairly. I have read Counting the Stars by Lois Lowry and it was a awarded book, and I have liked it so much. In this book the plot is happening so slow. At the beginning I thought stoping to read the book. Then somehow the book attracted me. Author's language made me read the book but I don't advise this book if you don't like the books that moving so slow. I am giviing this book 6.5 point out of 10.
—Burçe Ataman
I liked the book as it was not just of a girl struggling but of her ambitions and dreams. Each person in their life has a dream woven in front of them and sometimes they have to choose between whether they want to save their family's honor or listen to their own heart. By reading this book, I hope no one stereotypes Pakistani girls to being this way. It does not happen in all places of Pakistan, only in village/desert regions. In fact, with the generations growing and more people getting educated, they have realized that it is not okay to do such things and that they should listen to their daughters. So yeah, this is just one story of a girl in such situations.
—Ju-Ju Bear
This is a very good YA book and a fascinating look at nomadic life in India. Shabanu is a pre teen. She prefers to take care of her family's camel herd rather than sit around, cover herself, and talk about weddings like her older and very much engaged sister. Most of the novel is about her sister's upcoming wedding and the gathering of a dowry. Things go terribly awry and the ending is a major change of plans. Also, some great stuff about camels. I had no clue they had huge tongues that enlarged to impress females or that the males fought to the death sometimes, or that they could dance. Truly interesting stuff.However, I HATED the ending. I get that it is appropriate for Indian culture and custom, but I was expecting more fight from Shabanu. Instead, she goes along with her parent's wishes (which I felt were just awful!!!). I was expecting more spit and vinegar from what I thought was a smart girl.
—Tara Chevrestt
