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shruti_207's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, War, Sexual content, and Rape
random19379's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Violence, War, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Medical content, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit and Abortion
aliwhaley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
More harrowing still is that, this was written in 2007, and the author obviously didn’t know that American troops would pull out of Afghanistan in 2021. That made the ending harder to swallow.
The first 150 pages feel like a preamble until the women move in together, and then the plot starts. After that, the pace picks up and we have something to root for. I felt the first 100 pages dragged a bit.
It does a good job of conjuring a world and drawing you into it. I cared about the characters, I cared what happened, and the villain is believable and terrifying.
But, I give this book three stars because of the slow start and the violent middle. It’s worth having read to learn more about Afghanistan, but it is not an enjoyable experience.
I think my qualm with this book is that it’s important, but it’s not interesting. There’s just something missing.
Graphic: Excrement, Violence, War, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abortion and Body horror
Minor: Child death
lajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Abortion
shea485's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, War, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Infertility, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
keiwald's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, War, Body shaming, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Moderate: Abortion and Cursing
Very intense book about a lot of violence and war in Afghanistan. Can get detailed aboutkiwialexa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Violence, War, Death of parent, Murder, Misogyny, and Torture
bnorwood86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, War, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, Infertility, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abortion
audc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Of the top of my head:
So many emotions! I can’t believe Mariam’s character development!!! Following these TWO STRONG WOMEN from childhood!
It’s triggering, but it’s probably nothing close to the reality. This book needed to be written. The writing is just so flavorful and precise; I couldn’t stop underlining!!!
It drags at some points, but it’ everytime it’s so worth it!
I really appreciate that this book is not westernized and that throughout there’s that single thread of Afghanistan.
I appreciate that though the story is set during the larger picture of the Taliban and political insecurity, famine, social upheaval the book focuses on these women and the smallest details of their lives. Rippling effect that further encompasses the history at large. Making it a lot more impactful.
!!Very Triggering!!
At least a happy ending will continue to live in this book despite what actually happened.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Genocide, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Abortion, Classism, Confinement, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Antisemitism, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Torture, Death, Death of parent, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, War, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Vomit, and Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Vomit, Car accident, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Murder, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Ableism, Pedophilia, Abortion, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, Slavery, Torture, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
bkahmann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Abortion, Rape, Miscarriage, Suicide, Death of parent, Infertility, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Abandonment, Ableism, and Xenophobia
✨ emotional damage ✨