Scan barcode
grantklinefelter's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story of an amazing family. I would love to meet Ziauddin and Malala to hear their stories from their own mouths.
Good as an audiobook!
Good as an audiobook!
ele_b's review against another edition
5.0
'In Pakistan I occasionally came across families who kept a bird in their courtyard. Somebody, no doubt a father or a brother, would have taken some scissors to its prrimary feathers and clipped them so short so that flight was no longer possible.
When I say "I did not clip her wings" in relation to Malala, what I mean is that when she was small, I broke the scissors used by society to clip girl's wings'
This is one of those books where on learns so much in such a brief amount of pages. It's an inspiring letter to raising girls to be free as well as teaching of how women's status differs in varying social classes. The writing is tearfully beautiful, and one learns a lot about Pakistani culture through it. Let Her Fly is one of the most beautiful and important books to exist, written by the father of Malala. A book everyone should read.
shreya_21094's review against another edition
5.0
In a word: outstanding. (Of course I cried in parts.)
cjbookjunkie's review against another edition
4.0
First, if you have not read I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, I highly recommend it. It is her own story of being shot in the face by the Taliban because she was and continues to be a spokeswoman for the education of women in Pakistan. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, has recently released Let Her Fly: A Father’s Journey. I found this book both heartbreaking and inspirational. Heartbreaking because of the complete lack of value that is placed on women in Pakistan and inspiring to read about the heart of this father not only for his own daughter, but for his wife and all women. Read it!
secrethistory's review against another edition
3.0
Weapons may bring immediate power, or immediate change, but it is not the long-lasting kind. The long-lasting change is what you stand for, believe in.
Ziauddin Yousafzai is a passionate, loving individual. This book tells his side of his famous daughter's story, which is incredibly moving, but it's more than that. This short book is packed with so much heart. Yousafzai's own growth from the beginning of his life is interesting for a few reasons. It shows, more or less, a typical rural Pakistani man's upbringing, but also where he diverges from that. He more or less accepts typical gender roles as a young boy, but starts noticing his female relatives being treated poorly. This sets him on a journey that starts with small acts of bravery (writing his daughter's name on the family tree) to the more monumental acts he's known for.
He ties in his loving but troubled relationship with his father to his relationship with his own sons. Seeing a parent admit that they made mistakes--the same mistakes his father made--and respond with an apology, with humility, was refreshing. This is a man who is proud of his sons, appreciates their quirks. And of course, his incredibly warm love for his daughter is powerful and sweet.
Yousafzai's wife, Toor Pekai, has her own story told here, and again we get a glimpse of the average woman's life. She was allowed to go to school, but quit because none of her friends were going, and no one ever made her go back. This kind of societal pressure is one often overlooked. Toor Pekai is continuing her education now, supported by her loving family. She is strong and independent and has a spark of her own that just needed some nurturing.
Yousafzai is idealistic, literary and a little dreamy by nature, but passionate and outspoken too. He writes poetry, a few of which are included (and are lovely). He was given so much more than the others in his family, and recognises and appreciates that, and seems to be motivated, at least in his youth, by his desire not to let it go to waste. He too faced some educational difficult getting passed up for wealthier boys, but rose above what was expected of him with a quality education.
My only problem with the book is it's a bit repetitive. All the stories are unique and interesting, but sometimes there's just some fatherly gushing about his children. The idealism sometimes seems too idealistic, but often this is cut by Malala's practicality. Ultimately the book is about the power of education, and he devotes some space to talk about each member of the family's schooling. This single-minded view eventually wears off onto the reader, until I was feeling as full of love and hope as Yousafzai. I'd recommend Let Her Fly to anyone interested in the Yousafzai family, global education, Pakistani culture, or anyone who just wants a nice memoir to read.
bookishjo's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful memoir written from a man who went against the social norms and took a stand. I appreciated how he showed the little decisions he made, led to bigger things. Beautiful story of a fathers love for his wife, daughter and sons. Loved it