I loved this book, but I admit I did not stop often to think about my own reading practices and what I was bringing to the text. In part, I felt like I was simply trying to learn as much as I could about what life was like for people -- particularly the children of Afghanastan -- during the first part of this century. But in reality, I am sure my "Americanized (and fairly tacit)" conceptualization of the Middle East, its cultures, its people, its religions, and its geography did, in fact, influence what and how I read Parvana's Journey.
After having our discussion tonight and thinking more critically about the text, I realize that as much as I truly loved this book -- it is only because my own life experiences are so much more privileged and "Westernized" -- that I was able to read this book without sobbing. My lack of personal experience with such realities as bombs destroying your home, living for days without food or water, afraid that any stranger might kill me or rape me without a second's thought because I am female makes my response to the journey Parvana must undergo quite shallow.
There is a question on the handout Meghan gave us that says, "Do you ever wish you could be someone else or a different type of person? Explain." I would like to be able to say that I could be as brave as Parvana, or Asif, or even Leila but honestly I don't know.... I might be more like Parvana's mother and Leila's grandmother than I care to admit.
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