Escape from Kabul :A true story of Escape and Survival | Book Review
Review of Escape from Kabul :A true story of Escape and Survival by Enakshi Sengupta
August 2021.
The fall of Kabul. Twenty years after they were defeated, the Taliban storms
Afghanistan's capital, claiming every piece of land they pass and plunging the
city into chaos.
For Anjali
and four other women, who were all from different parts of the world and worked
together at the Anglo-American University of Kabul, this moment marks the
beginning of a harrowing journey. Forced into hiding, hunted for their work at
the University, and unsure of whom to trust, knowing betrayal is just a whisper
away, they are bound by one urgent impetus: to get out alive.
What unfolds
is an inspiring story of resistance and survival, furtive phone calls, forged
documents and midnight dashes through enemy territory-and the relentless
courage of women who refuse to be silenced.
Searing and
utterly gripping, Escape from Kabul is at once an
extraordinary first-person account of sisterhood in crisis as well as a
meditation on the meaning of freedom, and what it takes to reclaim agency when
the world closes in.
Book #141 of 2025
Non-Fiction #71
This book
gripped me from the very first page. It begins in the turmoil of August 2021,
when Kabul fell overnight, and the world of the women at its centre was shattered
in an instant. The fear and urgency are palpable, and I kept reading because I
genuinely needed to know that these women would find a way to safety.
The story
follows five women connected to the Anglo-American University of Kabul, Anjali,
Nadia, Cathy, Zohra, and Fawzia, whose lives change instantly as the Taliban
take control of the city.
The book
stays very close to their daily reality, making impossible choices, trying to
gather documents, and taking terrifying risks to escape.
The author’s
academic background and her first-hand experience add authenticity to the
story. This makes the events feel even more believable. She presents details
carefully and avoids sensationalising the situation, allowing the women’s
experiences to speak for themselves.
What makes
the book powerful is that it isn’t told like a political commentary. Rather, it
is told through the small, personal moments that show their fear, courage, and
confusion as they try to survive. And, this makes it more relatable.
The bond
between the women was so moving. Their conversations, their moments of comfort,
and the way they carry each other through panic make the story feel honest. It made
me sense how much they relied on one another emotionally and practically, and
that connection becomes the heart of the book.
The writing
is simple and direct, but it captures the tension in every scene. Everything
changes in a jiffy, and even a ride that seems safe could turn dangerous within
minutes!
The author
shows how fragile life becomes when a country collapses, and how ordinary women
are suddenly forced to rethink every decision. The fear of being recognised,
the uncertainty of trusting someone, and the constant pressure of finding a way
out are described without exaggeration.
Throughout
the book, courage, fear, solidarity, and a deep yearning for freedom weave
through every chapter. Though they come from different countries and
backgrounds, and each has a unique backstory, the fall of Kabul puts them in
the same danger, and their willingness to trust one another, and at times even strangers,
highlights how survival often rests on shared strength.
This book focuses
solely on the journey of these five women. It does not attempt to explain the
full political history of Afghanistan, and I found this refreshing.
If you are looking for real-life survival stories or want a close, personal account of what happened during those frightening days, this book is powerful and deeply moving. For anyone trying to understand what civilians went through during the Kabul evacuation, this book offers a clear and human perspective.
It reminds us how suddenly life can change, how much courage ordinary people can show, and how fragile our sense of safety truly is.
Dr Enakshi
Sengupta is a prolific researcher and academician. She has twenty-five years'
experience working in both the corporate world and in academia. She has a PhD
from University of Nottingham and has completed her MBA with merit from the same
university. Shehas previously written The Silk Route Spy.
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