The Breadwinner Book Review: A Powerful Story of Courage and Survival

What is The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis about?

What would you do if your freedom was taken away overnight? In The Breadwinner, Deborah Ellis tells the inspiring story of a young girl, Parvana, living under Taliban.

Discover our Review and Summary of The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

When life becomes lined with war and terror, how far would you go to survive in a damaged country?

Shopping malls, cinemas, friends, haircuts; sweets, full bellies, and education are all stolen. What used to be taken so lightly is now something so precious…Freedom.

11-year-old Parvana lives with her mother, father, two sisters, and a baby brother. Parvana was born when the Taliban first took over, and Afghanistan was captured. Since then, she and her family have always had to keep moving houses, each time getting poorer, until eventually they are reduced to sharing one room between the five of them.

Parvana is grateful to have a family and parents who believe in girls’ education and equal rights. To earn money, Parvana and her father go out to sell belongings from their home and translate letters. Parvana loves doing this, as she finds it interesting to watch her father bargain and read to customers.

Though the risks of going out as a girl without any burqa (a long, loose garment that covers from head to toe) are terrifying, it is slightly safer with her father there to protect her. One day at dinner, members of the Taliban storm in and accuse Parvana’s father of studying in England. He is taken to prison, and the family is left hurt and speechless.

Without a male in the family, there is only one option for survival -Parvana must be disguised as a boy. During this time, she overcomes many challenges and meet many girls like her. But will she ever be able to find her father and a safe place?

Read the book to find out more!

My favourite character in this book is Maryam. Even though she isn’t a main character, I love her personality and sense of adventure. It’s uplifting to read about a character who stays true to herself, even in dark times.

My favourite part of this book was when Parvana cuts her hair to look like a boy, as it shows the bravery and courage it would take to go out into the market as a child and take on the responsibility of earning money for her family.

Is The Breadwinner Worth Reading?

Overall, this book is one of the best I have ever read, even though it is an easy and short read. The Breadwinner is one of my favourites because it highlights the hardships women and girls face under the Taliban. It tells the story from a child’s perspective, which makes it even more powerful. The book made me feel sadness, but at the same time, a sense of gratitude that I am very fortunate to live in a loving family and a safe country. This has motivated me to share these stories and helping spread awareness on this important issue.

I rate this book a 5/5 and recommend it to everyone. The Breadwinner is not a book to be missed.

Other books in the series includes The Breadwinner, Parvana’s Journey, Mud City, My Name is Parvana and One More Mountain.

If you liked The Breadwinner, try these other thought-provoking reads:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a story of a woman’s life in Afghanistan, filled with unimaginable abuse and hardship.

I Am Malala: An inspiring true story about education, cultural pressure, and the strength of a young girl standing up for what is right.

The Diary of a Young Girl -Anne Frank: A powerful childhood perspective showing emotional resilience, hardship, and historical reality.

Once Series by Morris Gleitzman: Once | Then | Now | After | Soon | Maybe | Always. Each book follows Felix at different stages of his life.

The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan, a powerful and emotional story set during the Partition of India.

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson, a powerful World War 2 historical fiction set during the London Blitz.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, an emotional story from a child’s perspective in a controlled/harsh society.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, which follows a young soldier reflecting on love, family & harsh realities of World War I.