A passionate musician growing up in the war-torn streets of Kabul takes her forbidden talents abroad in this triumphant memoir from debut author Zarifa Adiba.
In PLAYING FOR FREEDOM: The Journey of a Young Afghan Girl (Amazon Crossing; May 7, 2024), Zarifa Adiba, with co-author Anne Chaon, shares her harrowing upbringing in the war-torn streets of Kabul, finding salvation through music, and ultimately taking her forbidden talents abroad.
As an Afghan girl, Zarifa Adiba has big, unfathomable dreams. Her family is struggling, her country mired in conflict. Walking to school in Kabul, Zarifa has to navigate suicide bombers. But Zarifa perseveres, nurturing her passion for music despite its “sinful” nature under Taliban law. At sixteen she gains admission to the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, and at eighteen she becomes the lead violist, co-conductor, and spokesperson for Zohra, the first all-female orchestra in the Muslim world.
Despite Zarifa’s accomplishments―which include a stunning performance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland―her future in music demands a reckoning with her life back home. Some of her friends from Zohra are forced to marry, a few either disappear or are killed in bomb blasts, but Zarifa continues to study so she can live her dream and the dreams of her friends who are taken so soon. Her so-called “bad girl” identity puts her at odds with her culture and her family.
PLAYING FOR FREEDOM is the deeply compelling story of a young woman who dares to compose a masterpiece even with all odds stacked against her.
To celebrate the release of this harrowing memoir, we are hosting a virtual book tour with engaging book bloggers who will share reviews, Q&As, excerpts and giveaways. We hope you will follow along:
Tuesday, May 7 – We Love Big Books and We Cannot Lie
Wednesday, May 8 – Angela Reads Books
Thursday, May 9 – Kera’s Always Reading
Friday, May 10 – Meg’s Book Club
Saturday, May 11 – Books and Coffee MX
Sunday, May 12 – Purrfect pages
Monday, May 13 – Booking With Janelle
Tuesday, May 14 – Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Tuesday, May 14 – Armed with a Book
Wednesday, May 15 – Totahly Booked
Thursday, May 16 – Secret Reading Life
Friday, May 17 – Reading for the Seasons
Tuesday, May 21 – Jen’s Towering TBR
Wednesday, May 22 – Love My Books 2020
Thursday, May 23 – WBTB Book Reviews
Friday, May 24 – Sue the Bookie
Monday, May 27 – Nurse Bookie
Tuesday, May 28 – The Maddie Hatter
Wednesday, May 29 – Books n Bikram
Thursday, May 30 – Danish Mustard Reads
Friday, May 31 – Paperbacks n Frybread
