Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
by Deborah Rodriguez
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez holds a well received rating of 3.63 out of 5, based on 17K reader ratings. First published in 2007. The book spans 288 pages.
About Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons. Thus an idea was born. With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.Yet within the small haven of the beauty school, the line between teacher and student quickly blurred as these vibrant women shared with Rodriguez their stories and their hearts: the newlywed who faked her virginity on her wedding night, the twelve-year-old bride sold into marriage to pay her family’s debts, the Taliban member’s wife who pursued her training despite her husband’s constant beatings. Through these and other stories, Rodriguez found the strength to leave her own unhealthy marriage and allow herself to love again, Afghan style.With warmth and humor, Rodriguez details the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the magnificence behind the burqa. Kabul Beauty School is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom.From the Hardcover edition.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Deborah Rodriguez |
| Published | 2007 |
| Pages | 288 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Travel |
| Average Rating | 3.63 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 17,002 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil?
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Travel. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil worth reading?
Based on 17K reader ratings, Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil has an average score of 3.63 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil?
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil has 288 pages.
Who wrote Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil?
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil was written by Deborah Rodriguez. It was first published in 2007.
What is the ISBN for Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil?
The ISBN-13 for Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil is 9781400065590.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
