First published 2007
Ayaan Hirsi Ali grows up in a devout Muslim family in Somalia, obeying her father's strict rules. But as she comes of age, she glimpses a freer life beyond her cloistered world. Facing the threat of an arranged marriage, Ayaan flees to the Netherlands, where she navigates a new culture and language. Her struggle to reconcile her faith with her growing desire for independence forms the emotional core of this searing, unforgettable story.
Genres: autobiography, non-fiction, biography-memoir, middle-east, islam
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, personal-journey
Setting: Netherlands
384 pages · Paperback
Content warnings: abuse, sexism