{"title":"Sola Mahfouz","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the inspiring works of \u003cem\u003eSola Mahfouz\u003c\/em\u003e, a courageous voice in the realm of biography and memoir. Her writings offer readers an engaging glimpse into the transformative power of resilience and hope. In her notable book, \u003cstrong\u003eDefiant Dreams\u003c\/strong\u003e, Mahfouz chronicles her remarkable journey of enduring challenges and defying odds, delivering a narrative that resonates with readers seeking both inspiration and enlightenment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMahfouz's storytelling is marked by a profound honesty and emotional depth, allowing readers to connect with her personal experiences and broader themes of empowerment. Her work not only entertains but also educates, shedding light on the complexities of overcoming adversity. Delve into Sola Mahfouz's captivating collection and embark on a journey of discovery through narratives that celebrate the human spirit's unyielding strength.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"defiant-dreams-by-sola-mahfouz-9780857528810","title":"Defiant Dreams","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extraordinary memoir of a young woman from Afghanistan and her struggle to rise above the circumstances into which she was born. A memoir of education, oppression, misogyny, inequality, determination and incredible resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I began to grow up the day my mother warned me to stop laughing.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt age eleven, Sola Mahfouz was told she could no longer attend school. The Taliban threatened that any girl who dared to continue their education would have acid thrown in their face, be kidnapped, or worse. Confined to the walls of her home, Sola watched as the few freedoms of childhood were stripped away. She was forbidden to play, to sing, even to laugh. Her early teenage years were consumed by restrictions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRealising that she would have to either succumb to this life or find a way out, she decided on the latter. At age sixteen, without even a basic ability to add or subtract, she began secretly learning maths and English. By reading dictionaries and taking free online courses, she taught herself theoretical physics and philosophy, all from a home she could only leave five times a year. In the space of nine years, she achieved the level of education that a westerner might take 25 years to do and against all odds moved to America to study quantum computing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a radical act to tell the story of an Afghan woman. Too often, they are portrayed only as victims, their identities erased by thick veils and blanket reporting. \u003cem\u003eDefiant Dreams\u003c\/em\u003e will change the narrative. It's the story of an Afghan girl who dared to ask for more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46344089534700,"sku":"9780857528810","price":38.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8213633482493.jpg?v=1744012225"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/sola-mahfouz.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}