Gullali of Panjshir valley : a novel / Zia Rahman.

Abstract: Panjshir Valley, eleven thousand feet above sea level north of Kabul--Afghanistan, is heaven on Earth. Gullali, an educated young Afghan woman, was raised by her liberal-minded family to believe women deserve the same rights as men, a belief that is vehemently condemned by Talibanised Afghanistan. With romance in her life, Gullali's life is perfect until Afghanistan is invaded by the Soviet army on December 24, 1979, and her life changes overnight. After ten years of occupation, the Soviets leave in defeat. Though a triumph, the tribes fight among themselves over women and pretty boys. Power turns to greed, and order in Afghanistan fades. Amid the turmoil, the Taliban gain control over the country, and women are the first casualty in the name of Islam. Rumors of a more tolerant Pakistan beckon Gullali and her husband, but tragedy strikes, and Gullali comes to realize the Taliban is just as prevalent in Pakistan. Captive, she suffers both physically and mentally from gender bias and religious hypocrisy. Fueled by the abuse, Gullali is determined to fight for women's rights, education, and freedom from male abuse in the name of Muslim culture and religion. Using her story, she tries to create awareness among the women of Pakistan, but faces death threats from the clerics. She fights back. What follows is a roller coaster ride of fights for women's liberation and adventure, with passionate romance in between.

English