"Reading about this group of women, who refused to give in to an oppressive regime but worked with the constant fear of being discovered, one cannot help but be inspired."
―Jakarta Globe
Read the Fast Company review.
"This novel is unique in that it calls attention to the generally ignored heroic actions of women whose everyday lives are a fight for survival."
―Issaquah Press
"Kamila's story is a truly inspiring one and a testament to the ingenuity and resiliency of the human spirit."
―Burda Style
"A captivating war-time adventure story [and] a lesson in tenacity and courage."
―Acton Institute Power Blog
"A most remarkable tale. It is sure to give perspective on how close people can come to defeat and still pull themselves and everyone around them up to make their lives better."
―Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Lemmon's storytelling is her strength–the way the book is organized is captivating ... make no mistake that The Dressmaker of Khair Khana has solid journalistic chops and remains based in fact ... a feel-good, pleasurable read at the crossroads between journalism and novel."
―Muslimah Media Watch blog
"By sharing these women's courageously tenacious stories, Lemmon provides readers convincing proof to believe, as well."
―Book Dragon blog
"Revolutionary."
―Taunton Daily Gazette
"Definitely a must-read!"
―MSN.com
"Heart-wrenching [and] heartwarming."
―Washington Times
"Awe-inspiring . . . powerful and humbling."
―Parade magazine
"One of those books you pick up to read and never forget."
―Blogcritics.org
"Expect to see Dressmaker on beaches everywhere this summer. And on smart summer reading lists, right next to Three Cups of Tea. In a time when women's freedom is challenged and threatened--and not just in Kabul--Kamila's fist-pump of victory is as necessary as it is inspiring."
―HeadButler.com
"A riveting and important book."
―Fast Company
"Pure inspiration."
―LA Times
"[A] transporting, enlightening book . . . a fascinating window on Afghan life under the Taliban and a celebration of women the world over who support their loved ones with tenacity, inventiveness and sheer guts."
―People magazine, "People Pick" 4-star review
"A truly uplifting true story . . . a book to be shared across genders and generations."
―Huffington Post
"Inspiring."
―O magazine, Top Ten Books to Pick Up Now
"An engaging nonfiction look at the lives of women living under the Taliban. . . . Teens will be amazed by the courage and determination of Kamela Sediqi, the subject of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana. Lemmon does an outstanding job of conveying the powerful sisterhood of Sidiqi's team as well as the women's incredible passion for work in the midst of unspeakable brutality and danger. Understanding that Sidiqi has known nothing but war her entire life, this inspiring and powerful story of hope and resiliency will make a lasting impression on the reader."
―School Library Journal
"The glimpse into this hidden world of women under the Taliban is so valuable. . . . And it is because the story is so seldom told that The Dressmaker of Khair Khana verges on required reading. At the very least, it is an important reminder of the power of the public eye. Regardless of how heroic they are, women behind closed doors seldom appear in the news or recorded history. It can be easy to forget that they even exist."
―Christian Science Monitor
"The book is backed by a perfect blend of publishing elements—a remarkable Afghan heroine, a high-profile writer, bookseller support and a marketing campaign with a celebrity roster."
―USA Today
Read The Street's review.
Read the New York Post Required Reading review.
Read the Reading on a Rainy Day review.
Read the Curled Up review.
"[A] remarkable story of an ingenious young Afghan woman who, under the Taliban's rule, created jobs for 100 women."
―Vanity Fair
"An exciting, engrossing [story] that reads like a novel, complete with moments of tension and triumph, plus well-researched detail on daily life in Kabul under Taliban rule . . . It's a fascinating story that touches on family, gender, business, and politics and offers inspiration through the resourceful, determined woman at its heart."
—Publishers Weekly, Pick of the Week
"A true, inspiring story of courageous women and quiet heroism at work in Taliban-era Afghanistan."
—Christian Science Monitor
"An inspiring, uplifting story about one woman's extraordinary courage and ingenuity in the face of adversity."
—Booklist
"An inspiring story of courageous community building. ... The product of several years of in-depth interviewing ... [Lemmon] pays scrupulous attention to detail ... [and] convincingly evokes the atmosphere of Taliban-era Kabul."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Kamila Sidiqi's unforgettable story shows just how far we are willing to go for those we love, and proves once again the power of girls to remake our world. This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read."
—Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea
"The Dressmaker of Khair Khana gives voice to many of our world's unsung heroines. Against all odds, these young women created hope and community, and they never gave up. This book is guaranteed to move you—and to show you a side of Afghanistan few ever see."
—Angelina Jolie, UN goodwill ambassador
"Books on Afghanistan usually fall into one of two categories: policy oriented polemics, or simple tales about do-gooders. Rarely has an author been so successful in turning on-the-ground reportage into a dramatic and yet deeply informative story. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana reads like great fiction and yet it is all true; this book will grab you from the first sentence and take you on an amazing journey that crosses many borders: cultural, geographical, intellectual and, most importantly, emotional. It is a must read."
—Mohamed El-Erian, author of When Markets Collide
"Gayle Lemmon's riveting portrait of Kamila, told with grace, elegance and passion, captures the extraordinary tenacity and ingenuity of one woman who quietly triumphed under the Taliban for the sake of her family. A powerful read that serves as a reminder that Afghanistan can never thrive until it embraces the active involvement of women—with their resourcefulness, spirit and resilience—in its leadership and future."
—Tina Brown, editor in chief, the Daily Beast
Gayle Tzemach Lemmon is the deputy director of CFR's Women and Foreign Policy program. Prior to joining CFR, Lemmon covered public policy and emerging markets for the global investment firm PIMCO, after working for nearly a decade as a journalist with the ABC News Political Unit and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Gayle has reported on entrepreneurs in conflict and postconflict regions for the Financial Times, New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Daily Beast, and Christian Science Monitor, along with Ms. magazine, Bloomberg, Politico, and the Huffington Post. Lemmon earned a BA in journalism summa cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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