Book: I am Malala

Author: Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

Pages: 265

Price: Rs. 350

Publication: Orion Publishing Group

Genre: Autobiography

Plot: A teenage girl dwelling in Swat, Afghanistan. Goes to school, gossip with her friends sometimes fight too, dances on Bollywood tunes, she was happy and content with her family. But her life changed when Taliban took over Swat, and among the many rules imposed by Taliban, one of them was, ‘Girls should not go to school.’ But this girl was not ready to give up so easily. With the support of her father, she started writing blogs for BBC anonymously. When her identity was revealed she gave interviews showing her discontentment with Taliban’s rules. But this is not what changed her life totally. The girl being shot by Taliban on her way from school to home was what changed her life. Imagine a person who left her house hoping that she will return in the afternoon, but she never did. Her life altered drastically, she became a household name. Malala a girl who stood for education and was shot by Taliban.

My views: I was never a fan of Malala. In Fact, I think that there are many people out there who has done a lot more than Malala and they have not got any recognition. The youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner, she got the sudden recognition after she was shot. And I always thought that the reason behind her greatness is globalization but not her deeds. But I had this urge to know her more, to know how her life transformed after being shot. This inspired me to bought this book and read it.

Being said that after reading this book I suddenly didn’t become her fan. I still think that there are many unrecognized and unacclaimed personalities who have done a lot for education, for me she is still not a great personality. But there is one thing which changed. I totally condemned Malala before reading this book, but after reading it I realized that there is one thing which makes her different, different from all others. Malala is the girl who stood for her Education, but in her school, there were other girls too. So it was not just Malala who stood for her Education. In fact, it was easiest for her to take a stand for her education as her father was always in favor of educating children. So what made her different? I would say that she took small steps, she took the charge of her life in the place where humans have no right. Despite being warned again and again by Taliban she had the courage, courage of not covering her face when everyone did, the courage of speaking publically about her rights. It would have been easy to sit back and just go to school and take her classes in secret but she had a belief that not only her but other girls too have right of education. And this is what I liked about Malala. Small changes make a big difference and she started with a small change, starting with a change within herself.

Overall I think that book was fine to read. Not a great style of writing. For me, not even a great personality, but one can get inspiration from her life to take those minor steps towards a big change.

Recommendations: I read this book to know Malala’s life better. If you are interested in reading a Noble Peace Prize winner’s life then read this book.

Ratings: 3/5

Komal Bagri

A traveler and a bookworm at heart, Komal Bagri has explored many destinations across India. But that never seems to be enough and she’s always ready to hit the road again. Her obsession for travel is combined with a love for books. She is currently working as a Content Developer at an eminent press.