BOOKS FROM UZBEKISTANThe Dancer from Khiva : One Muslim Woman's Quest for Freedom
by Bibish
Description:
"Winner of the National Bestseller and Book of the Year prizes in Russia, The Dancer from Khiva, is the unflinchingly honest, deceptively plainspoken memoir of Bibish, a Central Asian woman who came of age in a rigidly Islamic village in Uzbekistan. In a narrative that flows like a late-night confession, Bibish recounts her story. Born into an impoverished family, she was named 'Hadjarbibi' in honor of her grandfather's pilgrimage to Mecca. The holy name, however, did not protect her from unspeakable abuse at the hands of the men in her village. She knew instinctively to keep her experience a secret rather than risk further punishment, but soon her love for Uzbeki dancing - prohibited by Islamic custom - caused her to be beaten by her brothers and ostracized from her community. Dreaming of freedom, Bibish fled. The Dancer from Khiva is a testament to her fierce will and courage: the searing, fast-paced tale of a woman who risked everything to follow her dreams, break her culture's silence, and tell her shocking story."--BOOK JACKET.
Reviews:
(3 months ago) |
28 Aug, 2024
Hadjarbibi, nicknamed, Bibish, is a Muslim woman from a remote village close to Khiva in Uzbekistan. Horrifically abused in her childhood and under the complete control of the male members of her family, she flees to Russia but returns to her village and is subsequently married. After the breakdown of the former USSR, she and her husband move to Moscow, hoping for a better future for their two sons.
The writing in this memoir is simple and childlike in places, and I sped through it. I thought that both the title and the blurb of this book were misleading because very little dancing takes place, and Bibish's accounts of her harrowing experiences are somewhat superficial. While it cannot be denied that this woman suffered greatly from poverty, hunger, abuse and ignorance in a male-dominated society where women are merely chattel, I thought the narrative lacked soul. It failed to move or inspire me in any way, and, in my opinion, a more experienced writer would probably have captured the nuances of her history better. Ultimately, I am glad that Bibish got to share her experiences which, while not taking the route I expected, shed light on the difficulties faced by anyone seeking a better future in a foreign country.
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