Waris Dirie (the name means desert flower) lives a double life - by day she is a famous model and UN spokeswoman on women's rights in Africa, at night she dreams of her native Somalia. Waris, one of 12 children, was born into a traditional family of desert nomads in East Africa. She remembers her early childhood as carefree- racing camels and moving on with her family to the next grazing spot - until it came her turn to meet the old woman who administered the ancient custom imposed on most Somalian girls: circumcision. Waris suffered this torture when she was just five years old. Then, aged 12, when her father attempted to arrange a marriage with a 60 year old stranger in exchange for five camels - she took flight. After an extraordinary escape through the dangerous desert she made her way to London and worked as a maid for the Somalian ambassador until that family returned home. Penniless and speaking little English, she became a janitor in McDonalds where she was famously discovered by a fashion photographer. Her story is a truly inspirational and extraordinary self-portrait of a remarkable woman whose spirit is as breathtaking as her beauty.
Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad
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Amazon Review
Waris Dirie's story puts "rags to riches" to shame. The "Desert Flower" started life as one of 12 children of a Somali nomad family, a people with no written culture, where the basic unit of currency is the camel. Faced at 12 with the prospect of marriage to a 60-year-old man she didn't know, she broke all the rules and ran away, surviving a traumatic trek across the desert to end up in London, as a maid to the Somalian Ambassador. It was in McDonalds that her striking beauty was "discovered", leading to a career in modelling and another as an ardent campaigner against female genital mutilation (circumcision).
As a novel it would be unbelievable, as Waris survives circumcision, rape, arranged marriage, a lion attack--you name it, she's lived through it. But the book is remarkable less for its deliberately dramatic set pieces, and more for its haunting evocation of the little-told life of Somalian nomads, seen from a child's telling perspective, where life centres on the beloved camels, the horrors of womanhood are still an exciting mystery, and the nights are filled with the smell of frankincense. Desert Flower is a recollection of such gentle beauty that "rags to riches" seems hardly appropriate.--Alan Stewart --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Waris's story is one of remarkable courage. From the deserts of Somalia to the world of high fashion ... she emerges a real champion. She is the most beautiful inspiration to anyone (ELTON JOHN )
A story that traverses continents, spans worlds of human experience and human pain ... Waris Dirie was a victim once, but she never will be again (EXPRESS )
She was circumcised at five, fled an arranged marriage at 12, then became a Pirelli girl in her teens. Now, at twenty-eight, Waris Dirie is an ambassador for the UN. Her mission? To rid Africa of its most barbaric ritual (OBSERVER )
Dirie's story is an extraordinary one. (SUNDAY TIMES )
A story that traverses continents, spans worlds of human experience and human pain ... Waris Dirie was a victim once, but she never will be again (EXPRESS )
She was circumcised at five, fled an arranged marriage at 12, then became a Pirelli girl in her teens. Now, at twenty-eight, Waris Dirie is an ambassador for the UN. Her mission? To rid Africa of its most barbaric ritual (OBSERVER )
Dirie's story is an extraordinary one. (SUNDAY TIMES )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't think it matters that this book is not "world-class" literature.
Waris Dirie has a wonderful story, full of hardship, striving, and pain. But due to her continual striving, she has made a success of her life, in spite of the odds.
Her experiences meant something to me. One of the most vivid was the description of her circumcision in the bush.
This is an inspiring book, showing what can be accomplished with fortitude and a positive attitude.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By "sarahant"
Format:Paperback
This was an amazing story of courage in the face of adversity. Reading about the hardships Waris has been through had me in tears but she is an inspiration to all women.
Eveyone should read a book like this, it makes you realise how lucky you are and apreciate what you have got.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I think all women should read this book. Stop worrying about what make-up goes on your face day to day and do something positive by educating yourself on the plight of over 130 million women world-wide who are subjected to FGM.
The story in this book amazed me, upset me but mostly inspired me.
The story in this book amazed me, upset me but mostly inspired me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Desert flower review
A true and honest picture of a very different culture and a clash of east and well-written in simple terms. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs Jennifer L Hope
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Book had arrived very quickly. It is a story of Waris's life, if you like a bit of twist and unexpected surprises, you would like this book. Life is sometimes full of surprises.
Published 1 month ago by veverko
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone should read this
A very moving account of a child's life as a nomad in Somalia and the hardships endured, especially because she is a female.
Published 2 months ago by Jackyt
4.0 out of 5 stars
book review
Looks great and will enjoy reading it as i have lived in africa and have fond memories. Good condition of book.
Published 2 months ago by nadia mcgregor
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for every woman
I read both her books about 3 years ago so cannot remember which is which but certainly enjoyed them both. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs C. P.
5.0 out of 5 stars
absolutely moving and inspirational life story!!!
I absolutely loved that book! It is very hard try to remember it is not fiction but someone's life. You go through so many emotions reading it- fear, joy, disappointment, anger,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by ilona
4.0 out of 5 stars
desert flower paperback
Arrived in perfect order, a thoroughtly enjoyable read,about a delicate subject,based on truth.
Now looking forward to seeing the film.
Now looking forward to seeing the film.
Published 4 months ago by Marjorie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book
Love the book so moving and it just goes to show if you have the will power you can do anything. She had a bad start to life but she did not give up.
Published 7 months ago by Ms. Jeanette Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
best book iv ever read
i bought this book by recommendation and it did not disserpoint, probably the best book ive read in a long long time
Published 11 months ago by salford deena
3.0 out of 5 stars
A life hard done by
This is a remarkable and very unlikely story of a girl born into a nomadic family of camel herders in the Somali desert becoming a model famous in the western world. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Noel
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