Australian journalist Andrew Quilty describes Kabul in the last days of the American evacuation. Australian photojournalist Andrew Quilty has been based in Kabul, Afghanistan, since 2013. He has won many awards for journalism. As the title suggests, August in Kabul chronicles the panicked, chaotic last days of the American backed Afghan government, led by President Ashraf Ghani. Quilty concentrates on the stories of ex-government employees and regular Afghans hurriedly trying to figure out plans for survival. With the Taliban marching on Kabul, and much quicker than anyone predicted, many found themselves ill prepared. Even President Ghani had no real strategy, opting to flee the country at the very last minute. August in Kabul gives a nuanced, layered picture of Afghan society in extraordinary times. Within Kabul, the fear is palpable as people linked to the American backed government fear reprisals from the Taliban. Families move from house to house in an attempt to remain anonymous, ceasing to visit family and friends. Men slip out of their western clothes and military uniforms, hoping to remain unnoticed in the traditional perahan tunban. Government employees desperately scrabble for a place on an evacuation plane. The airport scenes are like something out of Heironymous Bosch – crushing crowds, unsanitary conditions, chronic dehydration and hunger. The situation for women is often dire, even in the supposed safety of the family. Quilty follows the story of one young woman, 19-year-old Nadia. She is feisty and has dreams of studying to advance herself. She'd like to one day own a business. But with the Taliban advancing, and her father and brothers fearful of reprisals against them, they try to marry Nadia off to a Talib. This after she has been repeatedly beaten and terrorised by her brothers. It's sad to write that Nadia actually feels some sympathy for her father and brothers, even after all they have done to her, knowing their predicament. A brutal portrait of Afghanistan just before the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. It is a humbling experience to read this first hand reporting. August in Kabul, by Andrew Quilty. Published by Melbourne University Publishing. $34.99 Release date 2nd August, 2022 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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