BKMT READING GUIDES

Insightful,
Brilliant,
Adventurous

1 review

Veiled Freedom

by Jeanette Windle

Published: 2009-05-06
Paperback : 432 pages

3 members reading this now
0 club reading this now
0 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members

No other editions available.

Jump to

Introduction

In VEILED FREEDOM, relief worker Amy Mallory arrives in Kabul ready to change the world. She soon discovers the challenges as a woman in Afghanistan. As new security chief to the Minister of the Interior, Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson is disillusioned to find the country he fought to set free fallen into old habits of greed and corruption. Afghani native Jamil returns to his homeland seeking a job, but a painful past continues to haunt him. All three search for truth and freedom. But what is the true source of freedom-and its cost?

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Prologue
Kabul
November 13, 2001
“Land of the free and the home of the brave.”
The radio's static-spattered fanfare filtered through the compound wall. Beyond its shattered gate, a trio of small boys kicked a bundle of knotted rags around the dirt courtyard. Had they any idea those foreign harmonies were paying homage to their country's latest invaders? ...

view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Were you surprised to discover that life in Afghanistan is still so difficult for women? Why do you think the freedoms that the Western coalition brought to this country in 2001 haven't lasted?
2. With the best of intentions, can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?
3. Relief worker Amy Mallory is dismayed to discover that Afghanistan's new democracy exists within the framework of Islamic sharia law. How does this distinction affect citizens' daily lives?
4. What is your personal definition of democracy? Simply holding elections? Or would you include basic rights like freedom of speech, worship, self-determination? Are such freedoms a cultural issue or a universal human birthright?
5. Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson asks himself: “What could motivate any person to enough passion they'd blow themselves up along with total strangers? More urgently, what could motivate such passion to change its mind?” By the end of Veiled Freedom, to what conclusion has Steve come?
6. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” These words of Isa Masih (Jesus Christ) grip Jamil's heart. How do they change the course of his life?
7. After the New Hope explosion, Amy feels she's wasting her time staying in Kabul, where she's restricted from making any real difference beyond showing her love to the Afghan women and children who are her charges. Then she asks herself: “Still, is love alone really such a small difference to make? How many people had not died today because of the difference love had made in one heart?” What does Amy mean by this?
8. Based on Veiled Freedom, what is the only true path to freedom for a nation-or an individual human heart?

Weblinks

»	Author's Website
»	Publisher's Book Info

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Despite the ugliness of war, I rejoiced in the post-9/11 overthrow of Afghanistan's Taliban, believing it presaged new hope for freedom and peace in that region. Neither freedom nor peace ever materialized. Instead today's headlines reflect the rising violence, corruption, lawlessness and despair. The signing of Afghanistan's new constitution, establishing an Islamic republic under sharia law--and paid for with U.S. dollars and the blood of American soldiers--tolled a death knell for any hope of real democracy. And yet the many players I've met in this drama have involved themselves for the most part with the best of intentions. The more I came to know the region and love its people, I was left asking, "Can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?"

That question birthed VEILED FREEDOM. A suicide bombing brings together a disillusioned Special Forces veteran, an idealistic relief worker, and an Afghan refugee on Kabul's dusty streets. The ensuing explosion will not only test the hypocrisy of Western leadership and Afghanistan's new democracy, but start all three on their own personal quest. What is the true source of freedom--and its cost?"

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

"Interesting!"by Martha A. (see profile) 04/08/11

This book really helped me to see a different side to life in Afghanistan. Ms. Windle helps you to feel for the women there, and what life would be like for them.

Rate this book

MEMBER LOGIN