Christopher Aslan Alexander

In “A Carpet Ride to Khiva” (2010), by Christopher Alexander, the author went to Khiva on a six months NGO contract and stayed seven years, and only left because he was declared a persona-non-grata. Mr Alexander’s entertaining book tells of his efforts to establish a carpet weaving workplace with mostly local disadvantaged women, and some men, using traditional Khivan and Timuran designs and natural dyes. On the one hand the book deals with the troubles and challenges of setting up and subsequently running the workplace, spiced with lots of anecdotes about personnel issues in the widest sense of the word, about natural dye purchasing trips to Afghanistan, and about facing down the mayor of Khiva – his ultimate undoing, or so it looks -, on the other hand it is a powerful personal story of how Mr Alexander managed to establish himself in the Khivan community. Not easy for a vegetarian who doesn’t like vodka. A story written with a lot of humor, but also with empathy, and with a healthy dose of self-depreciation – only the self-pity that creeps in in the last few chapters, after his forced departure from Uzbekistan, could have been somewhat more compact. Nevertheless, Mr Alexander has written a beautiful book, worthy of reading even if you don’t plan to go to Khiva, or visit Uzbekistan. Highly recommended!… (altro)

Alexander writes with a clear, knowledgeable voice, effectively mixing history of the Silk Trade and commerce of the Silk Road with an autobiography of his 7 years in Khiva and Afganistan assisting locals in launching and running a silk and wool weaving operation employing those in need. Alexander includes a nice mix of reflection and opinion on Uzbekistan culture, including the many contradictions that exist side by side including that between religion, secularism and mysticism; corruption and giving; female domination by men and female domination by females; honor and open lying; modernity vs antiquity; and the strikingly different definition of moral behavior of men vs that of women. The author clearly embedded himself within the culture of Uzbekistan and lived as others in Khiva did, learning and practicing the language and customs (to a point, though seemingly not becoming chauvinistic, greedy, or obsessed with prostitutes as many of the Uzbekistan men were). His characterizations of other people appear to be without censorship, and therefore are more trustworthy. People in this novel are flawed in many ways, which makes for a much more interesting read. Parts of the book carry a good deal of tension as well, especially following the events of September 11, 2001. A very quick read that will immerse you in the strange and colorful world of Central Asia.… (altro)