Synopses & Reviews
Escaping the Twilight is the coming-of-age story of Amina, a Sudanese girl who undergoes female circumcision at the age of nine. Intensifying her struggle for identity in the silent world of women, she cannot erase the pain and humiliation of that experience. With steely determination, she vows to do whatever is necessary to prevent her daughter from suffering the same demoralizing fate--even if it means going against the wishes of her husband and the rules of her family. The detailed descriptions of customs and lifestyle give a deep, fascinating insight into the Sudanese culture, as well as entry into the cloaked world of Muslim women.
About the Author
Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenweber remembers the closing days of World War II. She grew up under communism in East Germany and fled East Berlin with the help of a French passport shortly after the Wall was erected. Sigrid has a degree in medical technology from Wuerzburg as well as a degree in psychology from Portland State University. During her time at PSU, she fell in love with anthropology, a subject she still pursues with course work and on her own time as well. As co-founder of American Aid for Afghans, Sigrid traveled and lived with Afghan and Pakistani Muslims and learned about the culture and religion of different tribal groups.