Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad by Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad
Book Review: Read this book and think about it
Summary: 5 Stars
I might have seen Waris Dirie in many magazines over the years, advertising make-up or clothes, a stunning supermodel. Flicking through those pages, without a second thought, really shows how many times we can be fooled by appearances. There's a story beyond any of us and who would have thought that that lovely, proud African lady had such an incredible, painful one to recount.
This is a difficult book to read, not because of its prose, but for its contents, especially the ones related to the female genital circumcision. What Waris had to endure and her accomplishments in life later on, after her escape from native Somalia, are something quite amazing. She is currently an Ambassador for the UN, focusing on the fight against FGC in Africa and in the Western World.
This is a book that will often make you stare into space, trying to come to terms with the reality that Waris describes. It is not, however, written in hatred or spite. The love for her native country and for her family is there, so strong, despite everything. This book is an eye-opener and an educational one, as well as an autobiography.
Book Review: Extraordinary Story
Summary: 5 Stars
I found Desert Flower to be an extraordinary biography. Waris Dirie's life story, from her childhood as a desert nomad in Somalia to the start of her career as a supermodel in England, provides a great deal of cultural insight. Her strength of conviction, faith in a higher power, and courage in the face of great danger are truly inspiring. This is a very frankly written, often disturbing account meant to spread awareness of the dangerous but all-too-common cultural practice of female genital mutilation. Ms. Dirie brings to light her own personal tragic experience and its impact on her health and well-being. She has worked avidly with the United Nations towards the goal of bringing an end to this dangerous rite-of-passage through educational programs and legal avenues. Ms. Dirie courageously addresses an issue rarely heard of outside of the African continent, and in doing so brings help and hope to countless girls and women who are condemned to suffer lifelong infection and pain, if they do not die as a result of the procedure. This book also contains beautiful pictures of the author and her family. I admire Waris Dirie for her bravery, and I look forward to reading the sequels to this book. Book Review: Enlightening
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is enlightening in more than one way. The description of nomadic life from someone who had lived it is very moving. The details of female genital mutilation makes one's psyche hurt. The details of her life, how she was used and in my opinion abused by her own relatives in England is quite sad. Mostly, I was awed by the fact that she was illiterate for all of her youth, and described herself freely as still not able to read and write properly. I'm sure she's quite literate now, but it wouldn't matter. The story, written by someone else and co-authored by Waris Dirie, is wonderful.Book Review: Desert weed
Summary: 1 Stars
The premise is outstanding. In reality, this story was like flipping through a magazine on a bus while awaiting to get off at the next stop. "Not fleshed out" is how a literary agent would probably put it. Remarkable, but topical.Book Review: Interesting but muddled.
Summary: 3 Stars
This was assigned to me in a sociology of health class as a first-hand account of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Readers who delve into this book for this purpose should be advised that a relatively minimal portion of the story is actually devoted to that topic, and perhaps such researchers would be better served consulting more focused books on FGM. Although she does condemn FGM, this is much more a story of Dirie's escape from Somalia and her subsequent modeling career. Dirie's story is incredible; unfortunately, the writing style (ghost-written, I'm sure) is rather simplistic and often confusing. Details often seem muddled and the narrative is incredibly rambly -- as if the ghostwriter had merely sat down with Dirie, said "Tell me about your life," and then simply transcribed and published everything she said, without much editing, rearranging, or polishing. Which is a very honest way to do things, but doesn't make for a great read.