The Keeper of Families
For more rights information Contact Us
More About This Title The Keeper of Families
English
"The Keeper of Families
Jean Heringman Willacy’s Afghan Diaries
In a story never-before-told, these diaries reveal the astonishing double life of American Jean Heringman Willacy, alternating -at retirement age- a quiet existence in sleepy southern England, with her other life in vibrant, volatile Afghanistan.
As Jean travels back and forth, initially exporting fashionable Afghan coats, one of her worlds is crumbling before her very eyes: Afghanistan is shaken by violent upheaval, a society forcibly changed, and a refugee crisis of global dimensions unleashed.
Shocked eyewitness to the brutal military coup that leads to the Soviet invasion -and fearing for the lives of her many friends- Jean is transformed from businesswoman to tireless advocate for Afghan refugees.
For the next twenty years, as together they strive to overcome the horrors of the Soviet-Afghan War and its aftermath, Jean proves to be a formidable foe, when fighting the tyranny of bureaucracy, and a staunch ally to all refugees whom she befriends -their ‘Keeper of Families.’
Now compiled and transcribed by her third daughter, Sue Heringman, Jean’s unusual Afghan legacy features:
A foreigner’s eye-witness account and photographs of the communist coup
Live tape recordings from the streets of Kabul
First-hand experience of living in a Soviet puppet state
Stories of sharing life in the refugee camps in Pakistan and the life of refugees in exile
Interviews with Afghan women and their different perspectives on Afghan life
Tales from the hinterlands of the karakul fur trade
An art project for Afghan refugee children and their wartime drawings
‘The Keeper of Families’ is a story that, tragically, remains all too relevant today, as Afghanistan still makes headlines and one refugee crisis follows another.
Reckless or courageous, can this one woman, on her own, make a difference?"
Jean Heringman Willacy’s Afghan Diaries
In a story never-before-told, these diaries reveal the astonishing double life of American Jean Heringman Willacy, alternating -at retirement age- a quiet existence in sleepy southern England, with her other life in vibrant, volatile Afghanistan.
As Jean travels back and forth, initially exporting fashionable Afghan coats, one of her worlds is crumbling before her very eyes: Afghanistan is shaken by violent upheaval, a society forcibly changed, and a refugee crisis of global dimensions unleashed.
Shocked eyewitness to the brutal military coup that leads to the Soviet invasion -and fearing for the lives of her many friends- Jean is transformed from businesswoman to tireless advocate for Afghan refugees.
For the next twenty years, as together they strive to overcome the horrors of the Soviet-Afghan War and its aftermath, Jean proves to be a formidable foe, when fighting the tyranny of bureaucracy, and a staunch ally to all refugees whom she befriends -their ‘Keeper of Families.’
Now compiled and transcribed by her third daughter, Sue Heringman, Jean’s unusual Afghan legacy features:
A foreigner’s eye-witness account and photographs of the communist coup
Live tape recordings from the streets of Kabul
First-hand experience of living in a Soviet puppet state
Stories of sharing life in the refugee camps in Pakistan and the life of refugees in exile
Interviews with Afghan women and their different perspectives on Afghan life
Tales from the hinterlands of the karakul fur trade
An art project for Afghan refugee children and their wartime drawings
‘The Keeper of Families’ is a story that, tragically, remains all too relevant today, as Afghanistan still makes headlines and one refugee crisis follows another.
Reckless or courageous, can this one woman, on her own, make a difference?"
English
PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed By: Susan Brown
Title: The Keeper of Families: Jean Heringman Willacy’s Afghan Diaries
Author: Sue Heringman
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 78-1-7283-8064-3
Pages: 372
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Those who give of themselves in service to people less fortunate leave a legacy of
friendship and goodwill to the individuals who have benefited from that type of heartwarming kindness. American Jean Heringman, the courageous woman of this memoir,
didn’t set out to create such a legacy, but through her advocacy for her adopted,
extended Afghan families, that is exactly what happened.
What begins as a business foray, buying and selling traditional handmade Afghan
clothing, brings Heringman to Afghanistan. As she travels the country, she comes to
love and cherish the friendships she makes. In the aftermath of a Soviet invasion, that
affection transforms her into a champion of the beleaguered and oppressed refugees
fleeing their homeland throughout the ensuing occupation. The accounts of
Heringman’s time in Afghanistan have been curated by her daughter from a collection of
diaries, live audio tapes, pictures and notes from interviews with men, women and
children both pre- and post-Soviet occupation. In her initial travel notes, there are
charming insights into the country’s colorful culture.
Her perceptive writing is filled with lighthearted detail. As a tourist in Kabul she notes,
“There is a bicycle almost hidden from view because of the big load of green onions that
is strapped to the peddler’s back. And everywhere there are little carts piled high with
all different kinds of fruits. Seated on top of them are the vendors. They curl up into a
teeny, weeny space; their legs tucked underneath them, and perch like so many birds
hovering over their goods.”
The vibrant mélange of sights, sounds, aromas and infectious buoyancy of the locals
she meets is dramatically changed by a military coup that allows the Soviets into the
fabric of the country. In an instant, Heringman is thrust out of her role as friend and
confidante into one of spokeswoman, crusader and tireless fighter for displaced Afghan
refugees whose lives have been upended. She observes, “Exile has forced many
refugees to abandon their traditional tribal ways, and consequently they suffer a loss of
pride, identity, and self-respect.” Her mission to shine a light on this tragic situation
dominates the remaining years of her life. She states, “Their stories must be told to
show the world that it is not merely enough to have escaped tyranny and oppression.
Promises must be kept. Those who preach compassion must also show it in a practical
way. Political expediency must never be allowed to override moral obligations.”
Of course, this narrative of human displacement due to war is as relevant today as it
was at the time of Heringman’s involvement in Afghanistan. The current refugee crisis in
that country, as well as across South Asia and the Middle East is a well-documented
crisis. Books like this one help us see the cost paid by those who through no fault of
their own, have been forced to walk away from their native land and, in the process,
inspire us to help.
In Heringman’s own words, “Books are not written about people like us. But it doesn’t
matter, for we know in our very souls what good we have given to others.” I highly
recommend reading this memoir. I also look forward to reading more of Sue
Heringman’s writing. You will not be sorry you picked this book up and started this
journey with the author.
Reviewed By: Susan Brown
Title: The Keeper of Families: Jean Heringman Willacy’s Afghan Diaries
Author: Sue Heringman
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 78-1-7283-8064-3
Pages: 372
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Those who give of themselves in service to people less fortunate leave a legacy of
friendship and goodwill to the individuals who have benefited from that type of heartwarming kindness. American Jean Heringman, the courageous woman of this memoir,
didn’t set out to create such a legacy, but through her advocacy for her adopted,
extended Afghan families, that is exactly what happened.
What begins as a business foray, buying and selling traditional handmade Afghan
clothing, brings Heringman to Afghanistan. As she travels the country, she comes to
love and cherish the friendships she makes. In the aftermath of a Soviet invasion, that
affection transforms her into a champion of the beleaguered and oppressed refugees
fleeing their homeland throughout the ensuing occupation. The accounts of
Heringman’s time in Afghanistan have been curated by her daughter from a collection of
diaries, live audio tapes, pictures and notes from interviews with men, women and
children both pre- and post-Soviet occupation. In her initial travel notes, there are
charming insights into the country’s colorful culture.
Her perceptive writing is filled with lighthearted detail. As a tourist in Kabul she notes,
“There is a bicycle almost hidden from view because of the big load of green onions that
is strapped to the peddler’s back. And everywhere there are little carts piled high with
all different kinds of fruits. Seated on top of them are the vendors. They curl up into a
teeny, weeny space; their legs tucked underneath them, and perch like so many birds
hovering over their goods.”
The vibrant mélange of sights, sounds, aromas and infectious buoyancy of the locals
she meets is dramatically changed by a military coup that allows the Soviets into the
fabric of the country. In an instant, Heringman is thrust out of her role as friend and
confidante into one of spokeswoman, crusader and tireless fighter for displaced Afghan
refugees whose lives have been upended. She observes, “Exile has forced many
refugees to abandon their traditional tribal ways, and consequently they suffer a loss of
pride, identity, and self-respect.” Her mission to shine a light on this tragic situation
dominates the remaining years of her life. She states, “Their stories must be told to
show the world that it is not merely enough to have escaped tyranny and oppression.
Promises must be kept. Those who preach compassion must also show it in a practical
way. Political expediency must never be allowed to override moral obligations.”
Of course, this narrative of human displacement due to war is as relevant today as it
was at the time of Heringman’s involvement in Afghanistan. The current refugee crisis in
that country, as well as across South Asia and the Middle East is a well-documented
crisis. Books like this one help us see the cost paid by those who through no fault of
their own, have been forced to walk away from their native land and, in the process,
inspire us to help.
In Heringman’s own words, “Books are not written about people like us. But it doesn’t
matter, for we know in our very souls what good we have given to others.” I highly
recommend reading this memoir. I also look forward to reading more of Sue
Heringman’s writing. You will not be sorry you picked this book up and started this
journey with the author.
