An inspiring life story of poetic power and beauty. In Afghanistan, having a daughter heralds disaster and darkness for the family, as girls are seen as a source of sorrow and worry. Mahbuba's father had seven daughters and welcomed each one joyfully. Thus, the fate of thousands of Afghan girls was spared for Mahbuba: her parents did not sell her, and she was able to choose her own husband – yet in traditional society, confident women are not well-received. When her sister is shot by an Islamist terrorist, everything is thrown into turmoil, and Mahbuba leaves her country. That her journey would take her first to Russia for several years and finally to Germany, where she is granted political asylum and finds a new home, was something she could never have dreamed of. An unusual memoir in literary style.