The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

This true story introduces listeners to an aspect of Afghan society rarely heard about--the region's entrepreneurial women. The life of Kamila Sidiqi is a model of ingenuity, creativity, courage, and adaptability amid the harshest surroundings and brutal circumstances. Sidiqi taps her five sisters' sewing talents to create a thriving dressmaking business to support her entire family. Sarah Zimmerman's feminine clarity contrasts sharply with the grim war-torn realities, and she also captures the coarse tones of the brutal Taliban. Her voice softens as she compassionately recounts the stories of the brave sisterhood, focusing on the resilience of the women. Their triumphs may shift listeners' viewpoints on the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. A.W. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine