Author talk - A Fort of Nine Towers: an Afghan Family Story

The Westborough Public Library is pleased to announce that
author Qais Akbar Omar will be presenting a program at the library on Monday,
November 18, at 7:00 pm.

Qais (rhymes with “rice”) Akbar Omar is the author of the
memoir A Fort of Nine Towers: an Afghan
Family Story; widely praised in media reviews worldwide, including The New York Times and The Boston Globe. 

In his book, Qais Akbar Omar recounts his childhood in the
1990s after the retreat of the Soviet army and during the subsequent civil war
and rule of the Taliban.   He describes
his family’s courageous efforts to flee the fighting in Afghanistan and the
terrifying encounters that they endure as they try to escape the violence.  Yet, despite the war, he also showcases
episodes of humor and the amazing kindness of the many people he and his family
meet during their ordeal.  

The Denver Post calls
A Fort of Nine Towers “a beautifully
written memoir about growing up in Afghanistan during the time of the civil
wars, and the Taliban – one of the few books written about Afghanistan by an
Afghan.”  Kirkus Review writes: “As
lyrical as it is haunting, this mesmerizing, not-to-be-missed debut memoir is
also a loving evocation of a misunderstood land and people.”

Qais Akbar Omar is currently managing his family’s carpet
business in Kabul (he is a carpet weaver, as well as an author) and is working
toward his MFA at Boston University.

Join us for this presentation, and learn about Afghanistan
and Qais Omar Akbar’s experience.  The program
is free and open to the public.  Copies
of the book will be available for purchase and for autographing.