I found the author's first-hand account of what it was like for a fair skinned western woman to wear the veil and move amongst locals unobserved to be a fascinating story. I thought she showed empathy and compassion towards the people of Afghanistan so I don't understand the real bookseller's anger towards her (see http://www.kabulguide.net/kbl-bookseller.htm) - maybe the truth embarrassed him. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the book.

I had a hard time getting through this book. It is apalling that in the 21st century there are still culturs that can abuse and mistreat women and children and expect them to just take it.
It did make for a wonderful discussion, though