I don’t know how I can do this book justice in a review. It’s one that if I’m ever asked “What’s it about?” I think the only accurate answer I could give is “Read the book.” But I’ll try my best.

This is a book that if you’re a woman or you’ve ever loved a woman, will make you cry. It tackles the issue of female genital mutilation, which is still practiced in many cultures of the world. It was at times a hard book to get through, but there was no way I could not finish this book. I cried numerous times, at first it was due to shock and heartbreak; later it was because of elation.
What I found most interesting about this book was the reaction I had to it. Part way through the book I realized that this cultural practice is done as a means of marking the beginning of womanhood and those girls are deemed as “perfect” once they go through this. Since it’s not part of my culture, I couldn’t help but think that I would feel like less of a woman had it been done to me.

Soraya is a powerful speaking and her story is amazing. She was a strong-willed, stubborn child who despite her struggles didn’t let anyone stop her. She dealt with this mutilation and it’s subsequent health problems, an arranged marriage and later bouts of severe depression and anxiety with an honest grace not unlike Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

What I found to be the most moving, was that despite her initial aversion and hesitation to seeking help, and how hard it was for her to break with her culture; she saw the only way to truly heal was to help other women. If that isn’t strength, I don’t know what is.

Read this book. And don’t forget the tissues.