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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: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Violence, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Body horror, Abortion
Minor: Child death
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, Classism
Moderate: Abortion
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Rape, War
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Cursing, Abortion
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, War
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
It's about family, love, and loss and how the characters experienced one of the most traumatic things a child, a woman could ever go through. This was set in Afghanistan in where this was during a war that occurred in that country that changed the lives of so many people.
I couldn't imagine thinking about being a woman in that time and in that place going through so many hardships in life where they hardly even lived. They were disregarded and had to go abide by a lot of regulations and if those rules were broken, even if it was simply going outside then they would be punished, beaten, or terminated. So many cruelties that women had to suffer through at the hand of men.
The most inspiring thing that happened was how resilient Mariam and Laila were despite all the things that they had to went through. They had each other when no one could even save them where It was such comfort how they found solace in one another.
This was truly an amazing read and it has touched my heart and will forever be remembered.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War
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: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment