Cover Image: A Woman Like Her

A Woman Like Her

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely lost interest in this book and the first 10% I read to make sure this is an informed decision made it very obvious that this is indeed not a book for me.

Was this review helpful?

I think that the students in our school library need to hear lots of diverse voices and read stories and lives of many different kinds of people and experiences. When I inherited the library it was an incredibly sanitised space with only 'school readers' and project books on 'the railways' etc. Buying in books that will appeal to the whole range of our readers with diverse voices, eclectic and fascinating subject matter, and topics that will intrigue and fascinate them was incredibly important to me.
This is a book that I think our senior readers will enjoy very much indeed - not just because it's well written with an arresting voice that will really keep them reading and about a fascinating topic - but it's also a book that doesn't feel worthy or improving, it doesn't scream 'school library and treats them like young reading adults who have the right to explore a range of modern diverse reads that will grip and intrigue them and ensure that reading isn't something that they are just forced to do for their English project - this was a solid ten out of ten for me and I'm hoping that our students are as gripped and caught up in it as I was. It was one that I stayed up far too late reading and one that I'll be recommending to the staff as well as our senior students - thank you so much for the chance to read and review; I really loved it and can't wait to discuss it with some of our seniors once they've read it too!

Was this review helpful?

With a tragic overtone, A Woman Like Her not only introduces you to Qandeel Baloch but explores wider cultural and social issues in Pakistan. It puts a spotlight on the toxic side of masculinity and acts is an educational text of what life and expectations in a different part of the world can be. As hard as this was to read at times, I definitely appreciate Maher for creating a thoughtful and engaging book.

Was this review helpful?

An insightful and devastating read; and clearly well-researched. Since reading it I have recommended it to several people.

Was this review helpful?

Very well written. So glad the author was respective of Qandeel through out the book. After knowing of her story I was really wanting to read the book. I’m glad o requested it. Very interesting, it forces you to question the culture I grew up in.

Was this review helpful?

Qandeel Baloch was a Pakistan lady who was on social media- and yet because of this she was sadly killed /murdered by her brother.
This story is such an emotional, heartbreaking, shocking tale of a young lady who was killed by the very people who should have protected her. Her very own family and for what? The fact that they felt that she put shame onto the family.
Although it is such a heartbreaking story I feel that it needs to be told . To make people aware that these horrid crimes are still going on today.
Thank you so much to both NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishers for my eARC of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

Was this review helpful?

A heartbreaking look at a woman who broke into the internet world became a cyber star bright vibrant who was horrifically killed by her own family old customs for having shamed her family.So well written so shocking and revealing. #netgalley #bloomsburyuk

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED this book. Right away from reading the blurb I just had to know more and I flew through this book. It was heartbreaking, raw, brutal and started numerous interesting discussions surrounding social media.
From the prologue we know exactly what has happened and the identity of the perpetrator - the victim's brother - and that was definitely the right way to start as with that knowledge I judged the rest of the book differently than I think I would have had I not known.
Each chapter followed someone different who was either connected to Qandeel, knew her, was in a similar situation that she had been or had been affected by social media in some way and I loved it. I really enjoyed that each chapter had a different focus but that it all came back to the same thing; ultimately a woman was murdered as a direct result of her social media presence, a presence that would not be of any significance in many other places in the world. Even after death Qandeel was still being exploited and yet so many are quick to place the blame on her.
This book also questioned whether the murder had been as straightforward as we think and though it didn't draw any definite conclusions I liked that it was left a little open-ended for the reader to decide what they believe.
I enjoyed this book and am so glad I read it. It shocked me several times and made me take a step back to consider how we all present ourselves to others on the internet. It was scary to think that something like social media, which is so prevalent especially at the moment, could be the death of a human being.
I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

In July 2016 Pakistan’s “first social media celebrity” – Qandeel Baloch - aged 26 was found dead. She, and her parents, had been drugged by her brother and then she had been killed. It was planned that Waseem, with family help, would take her body from her town house in Multan, to be disposed of in their village of Shah Sadar Din where the casual killing of dozens of women occurred annually. Her father however complained to the police and investigation – and international interest followed. This scrutiny – possibly more than the killing itself caused the communities to “close ranks”. Maher will go back to investigate – and write about – the killing a few years later. It will be hard to identify the truth in this evolving situation. But he will produce a series of vignettes that are directly related to the killing – and others that give an indirect but detailed background of the place and mores in which Qandeel lived and died.
It should be said that Qandeel (her “celebrity” name) was raised in a poor rural village one where extreme and long standing tribal customs are justified by political forms of Islamic interpretation. The community is deeply misogynistic with women held as valueless, but nevertheless regarded as holding a family’s and community’s honour through their behaviour. Underlying this is a deep hypocrisy where the realities of life are different to the stated values – public exposure of this is unacceptable and liable to lead to “honour killing”.
Qandeel was married young to a violent husband, until he threw her out. She wants her independence, but has the need to earn her living (and support her elderly parents). Work is public & in public places women are automatically targets for persistent sexual harassment and abuse. Nevertheless this exceptional woman will start to build a career for herself and an income for her family. She will move from village, to town, to city and international awareness. Her social media “face” – part truth, part lies and exaggeration, much sexualised – will allow her to move to more lucrative modelling and TV roles. But before that can happen her brothers will intervene to remove her.
With its focus on the casual and systemic misogyny and violence this will be a hard book for any sane woman to read. But it is so important that it is read and understood. This is a deeply barbaric culture in both the small and large points. Yes, Maher will show the changes in legislation to try and protect women from online abuse. He will show brave women who are trying to move forward to meet more common cultural norms of equality (perhaps) for women. But equally this book shows the length of the road to be travelled and the risks women face every day.
The format of the book can be hard to read as well, with a non linear narrative of Qandeel’s last days. But persevere. Exploring issues indirectly reflects the inability of Pakistanis to face their uncomfortable realities. The book shows the complexity of unravelling the abuses prevalent. And, yes if we accept that a murdered woman is truly not responsible for being killed – then who is? Who “outed” her, who is the murderer (or murderers) and who supported him, colluded with him and will ultimately let him avoid justice? Detailed chapters point the finger – and surprise, surprise (not!) we see that this is not just a Pakistani issue – we need to look to our own houses too.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting read, although not easy to keep up with, it’s a little thready and the formation needs some work.
It is a tragic story of a very promising young woman’s untimely and grossly unnecessary demise.
The empathetic writing is reflective of this and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, although I found it very sad.
A well researched and well written piece.

Was this review helpful?