What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Apricots Bloom
Inspired by her own experiences in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule, Gina Wilkinson’s evocative, suspenseful debut is told through the eyes of three very different women confronting the limits of friendship and forgiveness, and the strength of a mother’s love.
At night, in Huda’s fragrant garden, a breeze sweeps in from the desert encircling Baghdad, rustling the leaves of her apricot trees and carrying warning of visitors at her gate. Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the mukhabarat—the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenaged son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.
Huda’s former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family’s wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women’s lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.
At night, in Huda’s fragrant garden, a breeze sweeps in from the desert encircling Baghdad, rustling the leaves of her apricot trees and carrying warning of visitors at her gate. Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the mukhabarat—the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenaged son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.
Huda’s former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family’s wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women’s lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
1980 people are currently reading
38550 people want to read
About the author
Gina Wilkinson
3 books460 followersI'm a former foreign correspondent, radio journalist, and documentary maker for the BBC, NPR, the ABC, and other well-known public broadcasters, who decided to trade my flak jacket and reporter's notebook for an author's pen (or keyboard!).
I've been a nomad from the age of six-months, when my parents packed me and our Siamese cat into an old Renault and set off for a remote gold-mining town in Australia's Nullarbor desert. As an adult, I spent three decades living and working in some of the world's most intriguing, and dangerous, places. From Baghdad, to Bangkok, to New York. From Brazil to Canada to Sri Lanka. Recently I returned to Australia, to the wonderful city of Melbourne. When I'm not writing novels, I work in international development helping to promote efforts to end poverty across the globe, I have two high-energy sons and one hairless cat called Obiwan.
I've been a nomad from the age of six-months, when my parents packed me and our Siamese cat into an old Renault and set off for a remote gold-mining town in Australia's Nullarbor desert. As an adult, I spent three decades living and working in some of the world's most intriguing, and dangerous, places. From Baghdad, to Bangkok, to New York. From Brazil to Canada to Sri Lanka. Recently I returned to Australia, to the wonderful city of Melbourne. When I'm not writing novels, I work in international development helping to promote efforts to end poverty across the globe, I have two high-energy sons and one hairless cat called Obiwan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,598 reviews
February 17, 2021
I don’t read many books that are described as suspenseful, but I was taken by the description of this story. It was indeed full of suspense, but I’m glad I took the chance . During the Sadam Hussein regime in Iraq in the early 2000’s three women cross paths. Ally Wilson, wife of an Australian diplomat is searching for information about the mother she knew only until she was five years old. Her mother had spent time as a young nurse in Iraq. Huda and Rania are best friends and sign a sister pact with their blood as teenagers. When we meet them 24 years later they are estranged. We don’t know what happened in between and why they are no longer friends because all three of these women have secrets which are slowly revealed.
The story becomes harrowing as all of them face the scrutiny of the Iraqi intelligence as Ally fights for her safety and Huda and Rania fight for their children’s lives and their beliefs . I liked these three independent women as they connect through their secrets and face the danger together. Gina Wilkinson tell us in her note that the characters are fictional, but says it was “inspired by my real-life experiences living in Iraq under the Saddam Hussein regime and later during the Iraq War.” While I certainly remember this time frame and the news surrounding it, Wilkinson has brought to life the time and place and made it all so real. It’s a story of friendship, trust and the determination of three women trying to survive.
I received a copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Corp. through Edelweiss.
The story becomes harrowing as all of them face the scrutiny of the Iraqi intelligence as Ally fights for her safety and Huda and Rania fight for their children’s lives and their beliefs . I liked these three independent women as they connect through their secrets and face the danger together. Gina Wilkinson tell us in her note that the characters are fictional, but says it was “inspired by my real-life experiences living in Iraq under the Saddam Hussein regime and later during the Iraq War.” While I certainly remember this time frame and the news surrounding it, Wilkinson has brought to life the time and place and made it all so real. It’s a story of friendship, trust and the determination of three women trying to survive.
I received a copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Corp. through Edelweiss.
June 10, 2021
The title sounds hopeful even beautiful. The reality, however, is disturbing, unnerving.
3 women whose paths intersect in Iran. 2 Iraqi women, Rania & Huda- once best friends but now estranged; and Ally, an Australian diplomat’s wife who brings the 2 together unknowingly.
Everyone needs to watch what they say and where and who they say it to. The tyrannical Sadam regime has eyes everywhere and trusts no one. Especially foreigners.
But it’s this foreigner who unites them to save their children who are at risk of having their futures destroyed.
Lies, truths, betrayals and forgiveness are themes threaded throughout this tense read.
I’m always intrigued, fascinated and frightened of some of these middle eastern countries. The way women are oppressed and marginalized. Iraq Is now a theocracy. Doesn’t tolerate freedom of expression. Human rights often violated. Considered more of a dictatorship. Women are often at the mercy of men.
Who wouldn’t want to escape to another country where basic respect and laws protect human rights? Where equality and opportunities can change the paths one may never otherwise get to choose.
4⭐️
3 women whose paths intersect in Iran. 2 Iraqi women, Rania & Huda- once best friends but now estranged; and Ally, an Australian diplomat’s wife who brings the 2 together unknowingly.
Everyone needs to watch what they say and where and who they say it to. The tyrannical Sadam regime has eyes everywhere and trusts no one. Especially foreigners.
But it’s this foreigner who unites them to save their children who are at risk of having their futures destroyed.
Lies, truths, betrayals and forgiveness are themes threaded throughout this tense read.
I’m always intrigued, fascinated and frightened of some of these middle eastern countries. The way women are oppressed and marginalized. Iraq Is now a theocracy. Doesn’t tolerate freedom of expression. Human rights often violated. Considered more of a dictatorship. Women are often at the mercy of men.
Who wouldn’t want to escape to another country where basic respect and laws protect human rights? Where equality and opportunities can change the paths one may never otherwise get to choose.
4⭐️
August 27, 2021
I won a paperback copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, so if you take anything from this review let it be that miracles do happen!
When the Apricots Bloom is primarily set just after the turn of the century in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s rule. It follows three women - two Iraqis and one Australian - as their lives intertwine through friendship and betrayal. The blurb describes it as a “suspenseful debut novel,” but…
I just couldn’t get into it. The story takes so long to get going that at a certain point I couldn’t rally enough to care about the outcome. It’s one of those situations where after turning the last page I went back and read the synopsis and thought, “I want to read that book!” Then sighed realizing I just had.
Right book, wrong reader? Right story, wrong time? If the subject matter is intriguing to you, there’s a solid chance you’ll enjoy it more than I did. Author Gina Wilkinson based the novel on her real-life experiences as a journalist living in Hussein’s Iraq and has previously written a 2007 memoir about the same period in her life. Perhaps that’s the Wilkinson story this reader should have read instead.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
When the Apricots Bloom is primarily set just after the turn of the century in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s rule. It follows three women - two Iraqis and one Australian - as their lives intertwine through friendship and betrayal. The blurb describes it as a “suspenseful debut novel,” but…
I just couldn’t get into it. The story takes so long to get going that at a certain point I couldn’t rally enough to care about the outcome. It’s one of those situations where after turning the last page I went back and read the synopsis and thought, “I want to read that book!” Then sighed realizing I just had.
Right book, wrong reader? Right story, wrong time? If the subject matter is intriguing to you, there’s a solid chance you’ll enjoy it more than I did. Author Gina Wilkinson based the novel on her real-life experiences as a journalist living in Hussein’s Iraq and has previously written a 2007 memoir about the same period in her life. Perhaps that’s the Wilkinson story this reader should have read instead.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
February 24, 2021
This is an atmospheric and suspenseful story partially based on the author’s year of living in Baghdad under Saddam Hussein’s rule, as a foreign correspondent.
During her time there she lived under tight surveillance and one of her closest Iraqi friends worked as a secret police informant.
She tells this story through the eyes of three women.
Two Iraqi women and a diplomats wife.
The novel shows the fear and distrust, risks, lies, and betrayals of life under this regime.
I was riveted!
4.5
During her time there she lived under tight surveillance and one of her closest Iraqi friends worked as a secret police informant.
She tells this story through the eyes of three women.
Two Iraqi women and a diplomats wife.
The novel shows the fear and distrust, risks, lies, and betrayals of life under this regime.
I was riveted!
4.5
May 26, 2024
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. GR thought I would like to read this book while I was listening to The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali, a story set in Iran; and,
2. May 2024 is my self-declared "Flora Titles" Month.
Praises:
1. set in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, we follow three women of various backgrounds as they try to outwit the mukhabarat (secret police) in order to protect their loved ones. I empathized with these women so much so that I could feel their palpable tension throughout the story; and,
2. author Gina Wilkinson kept me in suspense as to how this story would unfold which left me satisfied.
Niggle:
This audiobook's narrator confused me at times. I wish that the narration for Ally's character was performed with an Aussie accent, not just for her dialogue. Also, I felt the narrator should have taken longer pauses between natural breaks as she seemed to jump quickly from one character's section to another.
Overall Thoughts:
A great story to get the feel of what the average person experienced during Saddam Hussein's dictatorship while living in Iraq. Because of my niggle, you may wish to read a print copy, which apparently contains an Author's Note.
1. GR thought I would like to read this book while I was listening to The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali, a story set in Iran; and,
2. May 2024 is my self-declared "Flora Titles" Month.
Praises:
1. set in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, we follow three women of various backgrounds as they try to outwit the mukhabarat (secret police) in order to protect their loved ones. I empathized with these women so much so that I could feel their palpable tension throughout the story; and,
2. author Gina Wilkinson kept me in suspense as to how this story would unfold which left me satisfied.
Niggle:
This audiobook's narrator confused me at times. I wish that the narration for Ally's character was performed with an Aussie accent, not just for her dialogue. Also, I felt the narrator should have taken longer pauses between natural breaks as she seemed to jump quickly from one character's section to another.
Overall Thoughts:
A great story to get the feel of what the average person experienced during Saddam Hussein's dictatorship while living in Iraq. Because of my niggle, you may wish to read a print copy, which apparently contains an Author's Note.
August 10, 2020
Gina Wilkinson based her book, When The Apricots Bloom, on her own experience of living in Iraq under the Saddam Hussein regime. She was previously a journalist but arrived in Iraq as "a dependent spouse". Gina Wilkinson was thirty-one years old when she lived in Iraq and was befriended by a woman informant who reported back to the regime about all of her comings and goings and who she spoke with. It was not until after Saddam Hussein's regime toppled that Gina found out about the informant. She knew that the mukhabarat gave the informant no choice but to follow orders. That experience planted a seed in Gina Wilkinson's mind and inspired her to write When the Apricots Bloom. Although it is a fictionalized story it is based on the author's experience.
There are three main characters in When the Apricots Bloom. They were all strong female characters, something that Iraq frowned upon. It was not easy to be a woman living in Sadaam Hussein's Iraq.
Huda was a secretary at the Australian Embassy. The Mukhabarat, Iraq's secret police, feared by all, commissioned Huda to spy on Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador's wife. Her job was to gather any or all information from Ally that could incriminate America or any of its allies. Huda reported to the Mukhabarat and based her information on what she gathered from conversations she had with Ally and places she accompanied her to. Huda hated being put in this position. She never wanted to be an informant but when the Mukhabarat threatened to force her fourteen year old son, Khalid, to join the Lion Cubs and then the deadly militia of the fedayeen, Huda knew she has no choice but to accept her role as informant. She was prepared to do whatever she had to do to keep her son safe.
Rania grew up in the same village as Huda but Rania's childhood was very different from Huda's. She was the daughter of a sheikh and led a very privileged life. Against all odds the two girls became best friends. Early on in their young friendship, they performed a ritual where they became blood sisters. Now with the introduction of Saddam Hussein's reign and her father's death over ten years ago, Rania had lost her wealth and privilege. Back when Rania was just married she was part of the Opposition that tried to bring democracy and freedom to Iraq. Rania lost her husband during the Opposition and Huda lost both of her brothers. Huda blamed Rania for her brothers' deaths. Huda believed that Rania persuaded her brothers to rise up against Saddam Hussein and his regime. Huda could not forgive Rania for her brothers' deaths and so they terminated their friendship. Rania was forced to sell her father's extensive library of sacred books to make ends meet. Rania operated a gallery in Baghdad and had one daughter, Hanan, who she would do anything to protect. She was an artist but preferred now to show other artist's work than to produce paintings herself anymore.
Through the course of When the Apricots Bloom, the lives of Huda, Rania and Ally intersect. Rania and Huda came to rely on one another once again. Ally's secrets of why she really chose to accompany her husband, Tom, to Iraq were revealed and her help was commissioned by Rania and Huda. Ally found it in her heart to do what she believed was right even if it meant that she had to lie and deceive some. How far will these mothers go to protect their children?
There were also glimpses of Iraq before Saddam Hussein became dictator. That Iraq was full of people that were more free, and the land was bountiful and more beautiful. That was the Iraq Ally had expected to see when she chose to accompany her husband to Iraq. Ally, however, was shown an Iraq that was full of corruption and ugliness and laced with fear.
When the Apricots Bloom was a beautifully written debut novel written by Gina Wilkinson. I look forward to reading other books by this author. Friendship, secrets, betrayal, fear, intimidation, threats, loyalty, trust and motherhood were the threads that brought this story to life. It was eye opening and fascinating to read about life during Saddam Hussein's rule, especially through the story of these three women. This book will be published in January 2021. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary print copy of When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson from Kensington Publishing Corporation through a goodreads give away. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There are three main characters in When the Apricots Bloom. They were all strong female characters, something that Iraq frowned upon. It was not easy to be a woman living in Sadaam Hussein's Iraq.
Huda was a secretary at the Australian Embassy. The Mukhabarat, Iraq's secret police, feared by all, commissioned Huda to spy on Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador's wife. Her job was to gather any or all information from Ally that could incriminate America or any of its allies. Huda reported to the Mukhabarat and based her information on what she gathered from conversations she had with Ally and places she accompanied her to. Huda hated being put in this position. She never wanted to be an informant but when the Mukhabarat threatened to force her fourteen year old son, Khalid, to join the Lion Cubs and then the deadly militia of the fedayeen, Huda knew she has no choice but to accept her role as informant. She was prepared to do whatever she had to do to keep her son safe.
Rania grew up in the same village as Huda but Rania's childhood was very different from Huda's. She was the daughter of a sheikh and led a very privileged life. Against all odds the two girls became best friends. Early on in their young friendship, they performed a ritual where they became blood sisters. Now with the introduction of Saddam Hussein's reign and her father's death over ten years ago, Rania had lost her wealth and privilege. Back when Rania was just married she was part of the Opposition that tried to bring democracy and freedom to Iraq. Rania lost her husband during the Opposition and Huda lost both of her brothers. Huda blamed Rania for her brothers' deaths. Huda believed that Rania persuaded her brothers to rise up against Saddam Hussein and his regime. Huda could not forgive Rania for her brothers' deaths and so they terminated their friendship. Rania was forced to sell her father's extensive library of sacred books to make ends meet. Rania operated a gallery in Baghdad and had one daughter, Hanan, who she would do anything to protect. She was an artist but preferred now to show other artist's work than to produce paintings herself anymore.
Through the course of When the Apricots Bloom, the lives of Huda, Rania and Ally intersect. Rania and Huda came to rely on one another once again. Ally's secrets of why she really chose to accompany her husband, Tom, to Iraq were revealed and her help was commissioned by Rania and Huda. Ally found it in her heart to do what she believed was right even if it meant that she had to lie and deceive some. How far will these mothers go to protect their children?
There were also glimpses of Iraq before Saddam Hussein became dictator. That Iraq was full of people that were more free, and the land was bountiful and more beautiful. That was the Iraq Ally had expected to see when she chose to accompany her husband to Iraq. Ally, however, was shown an Iraq that was full of corruption and ugliness and laced with fear.
When the Apricots Bloom was a beautifully written debut novel written by Gina Wilkinson. I look forward to reading other books by this author. Friendship, secrets, betrayal, fear, intimidation, threats, loyalty, trust and motherhood were the threads that brought this story to life. It was eye opening and fascinating to read about life during Saddam Hussein's rule, especially through the story of these three women. This book will be published in January 2021. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary print copy of When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson from Kensington Publishing Corporation through a goodreads give away. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 1, 2022
3.5 - 4 stars
March 16, 2021
“We share far more in common than that which divides us”
Suspense, danger, secrets, trust, loyalty, and friendships are at the heart of this very beautifully written engaging novel -
during the Saddam Hussein
regime and during the Iraq war.
It’s a crazy-insane-holy mackerel fascinating story.
I was reminded of a time I was ‘hired’ to be a spy (paid extremely well)... at Lakeshore Curriculum Materials- a teachers company.
I was hired as a ‘plant’ working in the warehouse- as an ordinary college kid — ( the owner was my sister’s husband/ now the owner is her son)...
It became kinda creepy when I actually- [in a friendship way], liked the person I was deceiving. He didn’t seem like the ‘stealing’ type. But he was.
I didn’t seem like the ‘spy’ type. But I was.
I was supposed to create a genuine friendship.
The problem was - I did. It wasn’t acting.
But.... ha, I had a job to do ... catch him ‘stealing’....which I did. Scariest job I ever had.
About a year later - I ran into the guy in a Berkeley cafe... and holy-sh#t... it was confronting.
He found out it was me.
He got off easy - fired - but no charges were filed against him.
That day in the cafe - at least he didn’t seem like he had any plans to attack me ...
Ha... but as for our friendship?...
Let’s just say — I never saw him again.
My story was pretty small next to ‘this’ story .... but from living the experience- there were moments of real understanding within the ‘shenanigan-predicaments’ in “When the Apricots Bloom”, intensely.
This is a short novel that packs a punch.
Between being terrifying, heartbreaking, and quite revealing... it’s an excellent powerful read.
Suspense, danger, secrets, trust, loyalty, and friendships are at the heart of this very beautifully written engaging novel -
during the Saddam Hussein
regime and during the Iraq war.
It’s a crazy-insane-holy mackerel fascinating story.
I was reminded of a time I was ‘hired’ to be a spy (paid extremely well)... at Lakeshore Curriculum Materials- a teachers company.
I was hired as a ‘plant’ working in the warehouse- as an ordinary college kid — ( the owner was my sister’s husband/ now the owner is her son)...
It became kinda creepy when I actually- [in a friendship way], liked the person I was deceiving. He didn’t seem like the ‘stealing’ type. But he was.
I didn’t seem like the ‘spy’ type. But I was.
I was supposed to create a genuine friendship.
The problem was - I did. It wasn’t acting.
But.... ha, I had a job to do ... catch him ‘stealing’....which I did. Scariest job I ever had.
About a year later - I ran into the guy in a Berkeley cafe... and holy-sh#t... it was confronting.
He found out it was me.
He got off easy - fired - but no charges were filed against him.
That day in the cafe - at least he didn’t seem like he had any plans to attack me ...
Ha... but as for our friendship?...
Let’s just say — I never saw him again.
My story was pretty small next to ‘this’ story .... but from living the experience- there were moments of real understanding within the ‘shenanigan-predicaments’ in “When the Apricots Bloom”, intensely.
This is a short novel that packs a punch.
Between being terrifying, heartbreaking, and quite revealing... it’s an excellent powerful read.
December 20, 2020
Baghdad 2002: Huda, Rania and Ally all live in the Iraqi city and during the sadistic rule of Saddam Hussein. Huda works as a secretary for the Australian embassy, at night she returns home to her teenage son Khalid and her unemployed husband Abdul. Her house is a fortress, the front gates are chained, the entire home is surrounded by a high fence, she’s not game to talk freely in her own house in case it’s been bugged and speaks to her husband at night in the backyard. The mukhabarat or the secret police are aware of where she works; they visit her at home and want her to spy on her boss and his wife.
Ally Wilson accompanied her husband Tom to Baghdad and he’s the Australian deputy ambassador. Ally’s very naïve, she didn’t understand how restricted her life would be in Iraq, and it’s not safe for her to walk around the streets and she needs a driver. The secret police want Huda to befriend Ally, gather any information she can about the Australian couple and she has no choice. Huda doesn’t want to be an informant but they threaten her son and they could make him join the militia or as it’s officially called the fedayeen and she does what she’s told.
Rania is Huda’s childhood friend; she grew up in a rich household and is a daughter of a sheikh. Her family is now broke; she’s a struggling artist and is selling her dads book collection to get by. The two friends meet again at a party and discover they both know Ally. Rania has a very pretty teenage daughter Hanan she’s very concerned about her safety and both mothers are desperate to get their children out of Iraq.
Ally didn’t tell the truth on her visa application, she failed to mention her mother was American and she has dual citizenship, she worked as a journalist in Australia and she told them she’s a housewife. All three women have secrets and they need to come up with a plan to save the two teenagers and Ally?
A brilliant first book by Gina Wilkinson, it’s interesting and very confronting reading about life in Iraq during the time. I found it absolutely shocking how people couldn’t trust anyone; friends, family, work colleagues and everyone lived constantly under a dark cloud of fear. They faced the secret police arriving at their front door at any time, breaking it down, they could be arrested, tortured, people disappeared and to be never seen again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review and I gave When the Apricots Bloom five stars. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Ally Wilson accompanied her husband Tom to Baghdad and he’s the Australian deputy ambassador. Ally’s very naïve, she didn’t understand how restricted her life would be in Iraq, and it’s not safe for her to walk around the streets and she needs a driver. The secret police want Huda to befriend Ally, gather any information she can about the Australian couple and she has no choice. Huda doesn’t want to be an informant but they threaten her son and they could make him join the militia or as it’s officially called the fedayeen and she does what she’s told.
Rania is Huda’s childhood friend; she grew up in a rich household and is a daughter of a sheikh. Her family is now broke; she’s a struggling artist and is selling her dads book collection to get by. The two friends meet again at a party and discover they both know Ally. Rania has a very pretty teenage daughter Hanan she’s very concerned about her safety and both mothers are desperate to get their children out of Iraq.
Ally didn’t tell the truth on her visa application, she failed to mention her mother was American and she has dual citizenship, she worked as a journalist in Australia and she told them she’s a housewife. All three women have secrets and they need to come up with a plan to save the two teenagers and Ally?
A brilliant first book by Gina Wilkinson, it’s interesting and very confronting reading about life in Iraq during the time. I found it absolutely shocking how people couldn’t trust anyone; friends, family, work colleagues and everyone lived constantly under a dark cloud of fear. They faced the secret police arriving at their front door at any time, breaking it down, they could be arrested, tortured, people disappeared and to be never seen again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review and I gave When the Apricots Bloom five stars. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
December 27, 2020
Inspired by the author’s own time in Baghdad under the reign of Saddam Hussein, Aussie author Gina Wilkinson has produced a novel which is nothing short of horrifying as it shows the brutality of the time.
Ally Wilson was from Australia and had accompanied her husband Tom to Iraq where his duties as Deputy Ambassador would keep him busy in Baghdad, with him often having to be away for days at a time. Ally was bored and befriended Huda, a secretary at the Australian Embassy. But Huda would fall foul to the mukhabarat – the secret police who would do anything to gain information, including turning her into an informant. Huda had no choice once her son Khalid was under threat – joining the bloodthirsty, deadly militia was not an option.
Rania, once a childhood friend of Huda before lies and death tore them apart, feared for her daughter Halal. The horror that was ahead for her young daughter didn’t bear thinking about and while Rania's mother was able to have Halal at her property in Basra, that safety was an illusion. Huda, Rania and Ally – three women whose lives overlapped in a city where danger was always lurking – would they be able to help one another evade the mukhabarat? Would they be able to keep the children safe? Would they themselves be safe?
When the Apricots Bloom is an amazing debut novel; suspenseful, heart-in-throat reading which I thoroughly enjoyed (probably not the right word under the circumstances!) The author suffered herself, as outlined in her notes at the end, but writing this novel would be cathartic for her. The story shows how a mother’s love for her child outshines anything else. It also encompasses forgiveness, friendship and an innate strength which wouldn’t be surpassed. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Ally Wilson was from Australia and had accompanied her husband Tom to Iraq where his duties as Deputy Ambassador would keep him busy in Baghdad, with him often having to be away for days at a time. Ally was bored and befriended Huda, a secretary at the Australian Embassy. But Huda would fall foul to the mukhabarat – the secret police who would do anything to gain information, including turning her into an informant. Huda had no choice once her son Khalid was under threat – joining the bloodthirsty, deadly militia was not an option.
Rania, once a childhood friend of Huda before lies and death tore them apart, feared for her daughter Halal. The horror that was ahead for her young daughter didn’t bear thinking about and while Rania's mother was able to have Halal at her property in Basra, that safety was an illusion. Huda, Rania and Ally – three women whose lives overlapped in a city where danger was always lurking – would they be able to help one another evade the mukhabarat? Would they be able to keep the children safe? Would they themselves be safe?
When the Apricots Bloom is an amazing debut novel; suspenseful, heart-in-throat reading which I thoroughly enjoyed (probably not the right word under the circumstances!) The author suffered herself, as outlined in her notes at the end, but writing this novel would be cathartic for her. The story shows how a mother’s love for her child outshines anything else. It also encompasses forgiveness, friendship and an innate strength which wouldn’t be surpassed. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2021
‘In Baghdad it was hard to tell what had been destroyed, and what has simply been forgotten’
Gina Wilkinson has written a compelling fist novel in When The Apricots Bloom. Full of mystery and intrigue, the historical fiction takes place in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule of terror. The story is focused around 3 women and how they help each other to protect Iraq’s next generation.
Huda and Rania met as children, going on many adventures and sharing the wonders of nature and childhood. As young adults they decide to fight the regime but in the end they both lose far too much.
Alli’s husband is offered a job in Iraq working for the Australian Embassy. Her mother was an American nurse and worked in Baghdad before she was born. Sadly, she died when Alli was a young child. Huda is also employed at the Australian Embassy in Iraq. Allie asks Huda to escort her to various places in the community so that she can find out more about the mother she never knew. As their friendship forms, Rania and Huda come to Alli with a special request. But will Alli be able to help them?
Gina Wilkinson has written a compelling fist novel in When The Apricots Bloom. Full of mystery and intrigue, the historical fiction takes place in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule of terror. The story is focused around 3 women and how they help each other to protect Iraq’s next generation.
Huda and Rania met as children, going on many adventures and sharing the wonders of nature and childhood. As young adults they decide to fight the regime but in the end they both lose far too much.
Alli’s husband is offered a job in Iraq working for the Australian Embassy. Her mother was an American nurse and worked in Baghdad before she was born. Sadly, she died when Alli was a young child. Huda is also employed at the Australian Embassy in Iraq. Allie asks Huda to escort her to various places in the community so that she can find out more about the mother she never knew. As their friendship forms, Rania and Huda come to Alli with a special request. But will Alli be able to help them?
February 26, 2021
I couldn't connect with this story at all. I had expected a story between three women and a lovely friendship blossoming between them but I didn't really get that. I liked that all three of them had different situations and were strong, smart in a time of Hussein's rule. I loved the idea around it but it was slow paced.
Also, it kind of reminded me of American Dirt as a white women is writing a POV of Iraqi women. Wilkinson definitely did her research and she did live there, based it off her experience but I don't know how I feel about that. Overall, I just couldn't connect with this and wasn’t what I expected. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2020
“In Iraq, every friendship is a risk.”
When The Apricots Bloom is the first novel by Australian former foreign correspondent, radio journalist, documentary maker and author, Gina Wilkinson. Huda al Basri and her husband, Abdul Amir both had good jobs in Baghdad, but that was before the rise of the dictator Saddam Hussein, when Western sanctions kept Iraq virtually cut off from the rest of the world. By 2002, she considers herself lucky to have a secretarial position at the Australian Embassy, although Abdul Amir’s male pride has suffered a real blow.
Her position puts her in close contact with Ally Wilson, wife of the new Deputy Ambassador and, while the pay is good, this proximity draws the attention of the mukhabarat, Iraq’s secret police. Suddenly, she has to develop the friendship and report back every mundane detail. Refusal is impossible; the threat to her son is thinly veiled: “The mukhabarat had finished their tea. ‘We will leave you now, sister. It is late and no doubt you want to take care of your son.’ Abu Issa rose to his feet. ‘He is your most precious possession, is he not?’”
Meanwhile Ally, bored and a little lonely, embarks, somewhat naively and unbeknownst to her husband, on a personal quest to track down women knew her mother, an American nurse stationed in Baghdad in the late 1970s, without really considering the implications for those she involves.
Nor, having omitted from her entry visa form her dual citizenship (American/Australian) and her former occupation (journalist), is Ally fully aware of the potentially dire consequences should either fact become known in the current political climate of Iraq.
Rania Mansour’s gallery relies on foreign clients to survive, and diplomats form a large part of her custom. The ruling regime looks kindly upon the arts, but the president’s representative is an oily man whose eye on her fourteen-year-old daughter is unsettling; at his mention of Uday Hussein, known for his depraved appetites and cruelty, Rania can barely maintain her controlled poise.
Huda duly cultivates the friendship: the Australian girl is likeable and easy-going, but as the demands of the mukhabarat escalate, and the threats become more explicit (few parents would want their boys to join the fedayeen), Huda becomes desperate to remove her son from danger, even while Abdul Amir contends that true Iraqis do not abandon their country.
Back in 1978, the farmer’s daughter and the sheikh’s swore eternal friendship; long-held resentments and blame eroded that, but now Huda visits on the only person of influence she knows a demand for help getting a passport. That unremitting fear leads to a cascade of near-impossible requests backed up by threats. Can they save their children?
The story Wilkinson gives the reader is redolent of first-hand experience on every page. From her evocative rendition of Baghdad and Basra, the tension and fear are almost palpable, but the reader also can just about feel the heat and dust, smell the fragrances, and which book lover could read about “a river of books” and not itch to visit the Mutanabbi book market?
This is a book that explores questions of truth, loyalty, and friendship, and demonstrates how, under extreme circumstances good people can make bad choices. Wilkinson has a marvellous turn of phrase: “But lies didn’t take kindly to being forgotten, they clung to her pant leg, even as she ran for the door” and “Instead, they sucked on their nargilah pipes and fanned the coals with their bitterness” are examples. Moving, thought-provoking and clearly authentic, this is a brilliant debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
When The Apricots Bloom is the first novel by Australian former foreign correspondent, radio journalist, documentary maker and author, Gina Wilkinson. Huda al Basri and her husband, Abdul Amir both had good jobs in Baghdad, but that was before the rise of the dictator Saddam Hussein, when Western sanctions kept Iraq virtually cut off from the rest of the world. By 2002, she considers herself lucky to have a secretarial position at the Australian Embassy, although Abdul Amir’s male pride has suffered a real blow.
Her position puts her in close contact with Ally Wilson, wife of the new Deputy Ambassador and, while the pay is good, this proximity draws the attention of the mukhabarat, Iraq’s secret police. Suddenly, she has to develop the friendship and report back every mundane detail. Refusal is impossible; the threat to her son is thinly veiled: “The mukhabarat had finished their tea. ‘We will leave you now, sister. It is late and no doubt you want to take care of your son.’ Abu Issa rose to his feet. ‘He is your most precious possession, is he not?’”
Meanwhile Ally, bored and a little lonely, embarks, somewhat naively and unbeknownst to her husband, on a personal quest to track down women knew her mother, an American nurse stationed in Baghdad in the late 1970s, without really considering the implications for those she involves.
Nor, having omitted from her entry visa form her dual citizenship (American/Australian) and her former occupation (journalist), is Ally fully aware of the potentially dire consequences should either fact become known in the current political climate of Iraq.
Rania Mansour’s gallery relies on foreign clients to survive, and diplomats form a large part of her custom. The ruling regime looks kindly upon the arts, but the president’s representative is an oily man whose eye on her fourteen-year-old daughter is unsettling; at his mention of Uday Hussein, known for his depraved appetites and cruelty, Rania can barely maintain her controlled poise.
Huda duly cultivates the friendship: the Australian girl is likeable and easy-going, but as the demands of the mukhabarat escalate, and the threats become more explicit (few parents would want their boys to join the fedayeen), Huda becomes desperate to remove her son from danger, even while Abdul Amir contends that true Iraqis do not abandon their country.
Back in 1978, the farmer’s daughter and the sheikh’s swore eternal friendship; long-held resentments and blame eroded that, but now Huda visits on the only person of influence she knows a demand for help getting a passport. That unremitting fear leads to a cascade of near-impossible requests backed up by threats. Can they save their children?
The story Wilkinson gives the reader is redolent of first-hand experience on every page. From her evocative rendition of Baghdad and Basra, the tension and fear are almost palpable, but the reader also can just about feel the heat and dust, smell the fragrances, and which book lover could read about “a river of books” and not itch to visit the Mutanabbi book market?
This is a book that explores questions of truth, loyalty, and friendship, and demonstrates how, under extreme circumstances good people can make bad choices. Wilkinson has a marvellous turn of phrase: “But lies didn’t take kindly to being forgotten, they clung to her pant leg, even as she ran for the door” and “Instead, they sucked on their nargilah pipes and fanned the coals with their bitterness” are examples. Moving, thought-provoking and clearly authentic, this is a brilliant debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hachette Australia.
December 26, 2023
3.5 Stars
Set in the Iraq of 2002, Gina Wilkinson's When the Apricots Bloom portrays a country whose economy has been destroyed by sanctions and a populace that is terrorized by fear. The people, as all people do, keep moving forward trying to survive and hope for more.
Wilkinson's story centers on three women--Ally, the deputy ambassador from Australia's wife; Huda, an Iraqi secretary at the Australian embassy; and Rania, the owner of an art gallery. Each of these women harbor secrets. Their lives intersect and provide the tension that propels this story which explores the complexities of friendship, trust, and motherhood while living under an oppressive regime.
Wilkinson worked as a journalist in Iraq and her descriptions of the place feel authentic. I can easily visualize the life of unease and discomfort in Iraq during this time period. Her story has great bones, and she prompts me to think about what I might be willing to do and sacrifice for others and for whom I would be willing to do these things.
IMO Huda is the most vibrant character; I see her as complex and nuanced. The other two women feel a bit flat at times in comparison. The writing is decent, though not brilliant.
When the Apricots Bloom is a solid debut, and I am interested in seeing what Wilkinson writes next.
Publication 2021
Set in the Iraq of 2002, Gina Wilkinson's When the Apricots Bloom portrays a country whose economy has been destroyed by sanctions and a populace that is terrorized by fear. The people, as all people do, keep moving forward trying to survive and hope for more.
Wilkinson's story centers on three women--Ally, the deputy ambassador from Australia's wife; Huda, an Iraqi secretary at the Australian embassy; and Rania, the owner of an art gallery. Each of these women harbor secrets. Their lives intersect and provide the tension that propels this story which explores the complexities of friendship, trust, and motherhood while living under an oppressive regime.
Wilkinson worked as a journalist in Iraq and her descriptions of the place feel authentic. I can easily visualize the life of unease and discomfort in Iraq during this time period. Her story has great bones, and she prompts me to think about what I might be willing to do and sacrifice for others and for whom I would be willing to do these things.
IMO Huda is the most vibrant character; I see her as complex and nuanced. The other two women feel a bit flat at times in comparison. The writing is decent, though not brilliant.
When the Apricots Bloom is a solid debut, and I am interested in seeing what Wilkinson writes next.
Publication 2021
June 6, 2021
I won this as a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Kensington Books.
Possible spoilers…
This book is Espionage at its finest. It starts off as a story about three women and goes in a totally different path. And if you have been reading my reviews you know how much I love a good Espionage story. So if you are expecting a Women’s fiction story it’s there underneath the layers, it’s just not the main focus.
The author is a very descriptive writer. When she was writing about the food it took me back to times when I was enjoying those dishes. Parts of this story will make you hungry and you will want to head out or try your own hand at Middle Eastern Cuisine. The scenes where ice cream takes centre stage are amazing.
Give this book a try and be surprised.
Possible spoilers…
This book is Espionage at its finest. It starts off as a story about three women and goes in a totally different path. And if you have been reading my reviews you know how much I love a good Espionage story. So if you are expecting a Women’s fiction story it’s there underneath the layers, it’s just not the main focus.
The author is a very descriptive writer. When she was writing about the food it took me back to times when I was enjoying those dishes. Parts of this story will make you hungry and you will want to head out or try your own hand at Middle Eastern Cuisine. The scenes where ice cream takes centre stage are amazing.
Give this book a try and be surprised.
February 21, 2021
Wow! Such a moving and informative tale of life in Iraq under the heavy fist of Saddam Hussein as told by Gina Wilkinson, a former foreign correspondent of several prominent news outlets. Having lived as a "dependent spouse" in Iraq during the "regime", she has composed a well-informed tale which draws on her Iraqi experience at a time when the country was closed off to the rest of the world. From its reading one may ask, "In a country fraught with fear, suspicion and constant betrayal, can friendship truly exist?"
The story focuses on the lives of three women, each one harboring secrets too dangerous to share. There are the two Iraqi women, each from a different social strata and then there is the Australian "dependent spouse" whose husband is the deputy ambassador. The women's lives become intertwined and friendships are tenuously established. Tensions rise gradually over the course of the story, reaching a thrilling climax and gently easing to a satisfying conclusion.
For all the differences among the women, it is apparent that they share similar desires - equality, respect, safety for children, love and friendship. But one must ask whether such things may exist within a dictatorship. Just because one is paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get them. For westerners, it is difficult to imagine life under such strain. This story helps them better understand the similarities regular people around the globe share over their differences. It was a poignant story with excellent character development and exquisite description of scene. For those wishing to broaden their cultural understanding, then this may be the perfect read for you.
I am grateful to author Gina Wilkinson and Kensington Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
The story focuses on the lives of three women, each one harboring secrets too dangerous to share. There are the two Iraqi women, each from a different social strata and then there is the Australian "dependent spouse" whose husband is the deputy ambassador. The women's lives become intertwined and friendships are tenuously established. Tensions rise gradually over the course of the story, reaching a thrilling climax and gently easing to a satisfying conclusion.
For all the differences among the women, it is apparent that they share similar desires - equality, respect, safety for children, love and friendship. But one must ask whether such things may exist within a dictatorship. Just because one is paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get them. For westerners, it is difficult to imagine life under such strain. This story helps them better understand the similarities regular people around the globe share over their differences. It was a poignant story with excellent character development and exquisite description of scene. For those wishing to broaden their cultural understanding, then this may be the perfect read for you.
I am grateful to author Gina Wilkinson and Kensington Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
May 31, 2025
This was a good book. It would have been a 4 star but for me but because it moved a tad slow (IMO) I’m going with 3.5. This book describes 3 women’s lives in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s rule. I cannot imagine. I am so thankful to have been born and raised with freedom and the opportunity to do what I want.
February 1, 2021
When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson is a debut novel that is both powerful and memorable. The story is influenced by the authors’ time in Baghdad as a foreign correspondent and whose friend is someone whom she later realized was a secret informant.
When The Apricots Bloom tells the tale of three women’s lives each unique in their perspectives and stories in Iraq during the ruthless reign of Saddam Hussein. The author weaves the stories beautifully in a suspenseful and atmospheric read.
Ally is an Australian woman accompanying her husband on a diplomatic posting, a journalist who must become a housewife for the purposes of her visa.
Rania is an artist who has been involved in secret rebellion in the past and who is barely managing to scrape by.
Huda who works as a secretary at the Australian embassy, is required by the secret police, the mukhabarat, to spy on Ally.
The writing transported me not only to the time of this intriguing story but also immersed me in learning about the rich history, the art scene, and the book markets. The story in its core is about the past, secrets, friendships, forgiveness, motherhood, trust, grief and loss.
When The Apricots Bloom tells the tale of three women’s lives each unique in their perspectives and stories in Iraq during the ruthless reign of Saddam Hussein. The author weaves the stories beautifully in a suspenseful and atmospheric read.
Ally is an Australian woman accompanying her husband on a diplomatic posting, a journalist who must become a housewife for the purposes of her visa.
Rania is an artist who has been involved in secret rebellion in the past and who is barely managing to scrape by.
Huda who works as a secretary at the Australian embassy, is required by the secret police, the mukhabarat, to spy on Ally.
The writing transported me not only to the time of this intriguing story but also immersed me in learning about the rich history, the art scene, and the book markets. The story in its core is about the past, secrets, friendships, forgiveness, motherhood, trust, grief and loss.
April 22, 2021
This was my book club book. I don’t think this was a good choice for a book club book but it’s a good book.
Huda , a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the mukhabarat—the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenaged son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.
Huda’s former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family’s wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women’s lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.
Huda , a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the mukhabarat—the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenaged son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.
Huda’s former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family’s wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women’s lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.
July 1, 2021
Ik vond de sfeertekening mooi en het boek begon goed. Over helft werd het beduidend minder interessant en wat langdradig.
I liked the atmosphere and the book started well. About halfway it became significantly less interesting and a bit long-winded.
I liked the atmosphere and the book started well. About halfway it became significantly less interesting and a bit long-winded.
July 11, 2021
I really liked this one a lot. The story was tough in the sense that it asked the question, that when put under the situation, would you put others in harm to keep yourself and loved ones from harm, would you? And really tries to show how impossible the choice actually is. Derived from a true experience in Baghad, the author talks about friendship during an impossible tyrannical regime, in Bagdad, Iraq. The author and the characters seem to understand that these choices are never easy, and that giving in is even understandable. But when there is a true chance to do the right thing, to try to defeat the impossible odds, these three women each have a choice to navigate, and impossible decisions to make. What if freedom and democracy, aren’t even possible ideals to dream? With our Western freedoms, we spout a lot about what we would fight for. But would we? What if it just weren’t possible? This book explores the point of view of three very different castes and classes of women, each struggling with impossible choices, and about the tenuous relationships between them, and their children. I thought it was an incredibly thoughtful and worthy read. I am both glad that I picked it up, and that we are going to discuss it together in book club tonight.
July 4, 2021
The year is 2002 and Saddam Hussein is in full control of Iraq. The mukhabarat, his secret police, oppress the population through a vast network of spies creating an ever-present paranoia. It is a tyrannical regime in which three strong women must learn to trust one another to keep themselves and their children safe. It is not an easy journey.
Ally Wilson is the wife of the deputy ambassador serving in the Australian Embassy. Her deceased American mother lived in Iraq many years ago and she is seeking to learn more about her mother’s life. The 27-year-old is naïve as to the measures the mukhabarat will use to spy on her. They force Huda, the deputy ambassador’s secretary to befriend and spy on Ally. Their threats involve Huda’s 14-year-old son. So, Huda seeks out assistance from her childhood friend Rania. While Rania is a daughter of a Sheikh, she is no longer wealthy, and so is vulnerable to the regime’s pressure. Rania’s teenage daughter may be at risk too.
The suspense builds and builds in Wilkinson’s atmospheric novel as these three women lie, deceive, and use blackmail in order to save themselves and their children. [Of note, Wilkinson is a former foreign correspondent that was stationed in Baghdad during Saddam Hussein’s rule.]
Ally Wilson is the wife of the deputy ambassador serving in the Australian Embassy. Her deceased American mother lived in Iraq many years ago and she is seeking to learn more about her mother’s life. The 27-year-old is naïve as to the measures the mukhabarat will use to spy on her. They force Huda, the deputy ambassador’s secretary to befriend and spy on Ally. Their threats involve Huda’s 14-year-old son. So, Huda seeks out assistance from her childhood friend Rania. While Rania is a daughter of a Sheikh, she is no longer wealthy, and so is vulnerable to the regime’s pressure. Rania’s teenage daughter may be at risk too.
The suspense builds and builds in Wilkinson’s atmospheric novel as these three women lie, deceive, and use blackmail in order to save themselves and their children. [Of note, Wilkinson is a former foreign correspondent that was stationed in Baghdad during Saddam Hussein’s rule.]
January 2, 2024
This story is written by an Australian author who spent time living in Iraq as a journalist. It is set in Baghdad in 2002 under the regime of Saddam Hussein and features three women living in the city. Huda works as a secretary for the Australian embassy and finds her life spiralling out of control when she is pressured into spying on Ally, the wife of the embassador. Circumstances bring Huda into contact with estranged childhood friend Rania. Each of the three women have their secrets, and each of them find their security threatened by the frightening underbelly of the regime.
I found this a gripping story that had me crossing my fingers hoping everything worked out for the women. The ending was possibly a bit abrupt, but overall I found the story to be atmospheric and gave me an insight into the fear and suspicion people lived through in this time. Generally I gravitate to books by authors native to their country, but there is definitely something to be learned from an ex-pat experience, as they provide a different set of observations and insights. I enjoyed the audiobook narration very much, although as with most audiobooks the rendering of an Australian accent was pretty appalling.
I found this a gripping story that had me crossing my fingers hoping everything worked out for the women. The ending was possibly a bit abrupt, but overall I found the story to be atmospheric and gave me an insight into the fear and suspicion people lived through in this time. Generally I gravitate to books by authors native to their country, but there is definitely something to be learned from an ex-pat experience, as they provide a different set of observations and insights. I enjoyed the audiobook narration very much, although as with most audiobooks the rendering of an Australian accent was pretty appalling.
January 11, 2021
I really enjoyed the premises of this book and I’ve been excited to diversify my reading in 2021. I appreciate that this was based off the author’s experiences, but a white woman writing about the experiences of Iraqi women feels off to me,
I think her writing was beautiful but I felt like it was a bit dry at the same time and found it hard to truly connect with the characters. Absolutely loved the title and the cover and the synopsis was also intriguing to me, but overall I found it a bit dry and I wasn’t truly hooked into this.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I think her writing was beautiful but I felt like it was a bit dry at the same time and found it hard to truly connect with the characters. Absolutely loved the title and the cover and the synopsis was also intriguing to me, but overall I found it a bit dry and I wasn’t truly hooked into this.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 8, 2021
This novel had a slow start. It was not until after reading three quarters of the book where I became vested. The premise was interesting-three different women living under Saddam Hussein’s rein of terror in Iraq.
I cannot put my finger on it or articulate accurately but something was missing with this novel. The characters did not come alive for me and the atmospheric elements could have been more vibrant.
I cannot put my finger on it or articulate accurately but something was missing with this novel. The characters did not come alive for me and the atmospheric elements could have been more vibrant.
January 10, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
When the Apricots Bloom is a debut novel inspired by the author’s experiences in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule where she worked as a former war correspondent.
What would you do if the secret police demanded you spy on a friend in order to protect your family?
The story is narrated by three women Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, Ally Wilson the deputy ambassador’s wife (an Australian) and Raina an artist and the daughter of a sheikh who preferred to exhibit other’s work rather than her own.
The reader is transported to one of the worlds most legendary cities and as the story unfolds we see how courage and a mother's love for her child will take priority, no matter the consequences. How much will a mother sacrifice to protect her child?
A very confronting and moving story illustrating life under Saddam Hussein’s regime where people lived with intimidation and in fear and where even a friendship could be a risk. The secret police(mukhabarat) were ruthless.
The richly drawn characters were intriguing and I loved how the story depicted Iraq's cultural richness, the atmosphere of the markets, the amazing cuisine and incredible history. Baghdad’s amazing art scene features prominently in the novel also. Themes of friendships, trust, motherhood, secrets and betrayal. We are shown despite different backgrounds people share so much in common.
When The Apricots Bloom was thought provoking , gripping and a compelling read.
I wish to thank Hachette Australia for the opportunity to win a copy of the book
When the Apricots Bloom is a debut novel inspired by the author’s experiences in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule where she worked as a former war correspondent.
What would you do if the secret police demanded you spy on a friend in order to protect your family?
The story is narrated by three women Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, Ally Wilson the deputy ambassador’s wife (an Australian) and Raina an artist and the daughter of a sheikh who preferred to exhibit other’s work rather than her own.
The reader is transported to one of the worlds most legendary cities and as the story unfolds we see how courage and a mother's love for her child will take priority, no matter the consequences. How much will a mother sacrifice to protect her child?
A very confronting and moving story illustrating life under Saddam Hussein’s regime where people lived with intimidation and in fear and where even a friendship could be a risk. The secret police(mukhabarat) were ruthless.
The richly drawn characters were intriguing and I loved how the story depicted Iraq's cultural richness, the atmosphere of the markets, the amazing cuisine and incredible history. Baghdad’s amazing art scene features prominently in the novel also. Themes of friendships, trust, motherhood, secrets and betrayal. We are shown despite different backgrounds people share so much in common.
When The Apricots Bloom was thought provoking , gripping and a compelling read.
I wish to thank Hachette Australia for the opportunity to win a copy of the book
April 19, 2024
Nici rea nici grozavă, o ficțiune cu desfășurare în Bagdag în care urmărim viața a 3 femei ce trăiesc cu frica impusă de regimul lui Saddam Hussein.
Acțiunea debutează destul de greu și explodează la final.
Acțiunea debutează destul de greu și explodează la final.
January 21, 2021
3.5 stars
Huda and Rania were childhood best friends, torn apart by the devastating consequences of the revolution that Saddam Hussein’s rule was determined to extinguish.
Now married with a son, Huda has found work as a secretary at the Australian embassy in Baghdad. The pay is a blessing since her husband’s career has come to a halt along with the economy. Unfortunately her position has gained the attention of the Iraqi secret police and they want her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife, to gain her trust and hopefully information that could be used against America. The threat grows each day that she doesn’t have useful information and soon her teenaged son could be forced to join the militia.
Rania’s privileged upbringing is in the distant past. Her family’s wealth is now non-existent and her daughter has caught the eye of a dangerous member of the regime.
The former friends are reunited in their desperate attempt to save their children from the growing dangers of their homeland.
Newlywed Ally Wilson was determined to travel with her husband to Baghdad. Her mother died when she was a child and all she has left are postcards she sent during her time in Baghdad. Ally has so many questions and, as a former journalist, isn’t afraid to dig for answers. Looking for answers in Baghdad is almost certainly a death sentence, especially when Ally has secrets to hide.
The lives of Huda, Rania, and Ally intersect in this novel about friendship, motherhood, and betrayal in the middle of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship.
While I love the idea of this story - the atmosphere, the relationships, the intense scrutiny as the government watches everyone and anyone could turn against you - it fell short for me. I never felt a connection to the characters; it lacked the emotional level I would expect. While the complexities of the relationships are stated and understood, it isn’t detailed in a way that allowed me to become swept up in the urgency.
The greatest strength of this novel is its atmosphere; the descriptions of locations and the strategies of the secret police are exceptional. I was surprised and fascinated by the author’s note which explains that Gina Wilkinson is a former foreign correspondent who witnessed Baghdad under Hussein’s rule.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. When the Apricots Bloom is scheduled for release on February 2, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Huda and Rania were childhood best friends, torn apart by the devastating consequences of the revolution that Saddam Hussein’s rule was determined to extinguish.
Now married with a son, Huda has found work as a secretary at the Australian embassy in Baghdad. The pay is a blessing since her husband’s career has come to a halt along with the economy. Unfortunately her position has gained the attention of the Iraqi secret police and they want her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador’s wife, to gain her trust and hopefully information that could be used against America. The threat grows each day that she doesn’t have useful information and soon her teenaged son could be forced to join the militia.
Rania’s privileged upbringing is in the distant past. Her family’s wealth is now non-existent and her daughter has caught the eye of a dangerous member of the regime.
The former friends are reunited in their desperate attempt to save their children from the growing dangers of their homeland.
Newlywed Ally Wilson was determined to travel with her husband to Baghdad. Her mother died when she was a child and all she has left are postcards she sent during her time in Baghdad. Ally has so many questions and, as a former journalist, isn’t afraid to dig for answers. Looking for answers in Baghdad is almost certainly a death sentence, especially when Ally has secrets to hide.
The lives of Huda, Rania, and Ally intersect in this novel about friendship, motherhood, and betrayal in the middle of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship.
While I love the idea of this story - the atmosphere, the relationships, the intense scrutiny as the government watches everyone and anyone could turn against you - it fell short for me. I never felt a connection to the characters; it lacked the emotional level I would expect. While the complexities of the relationships are stated and understood, it isn’t detailed in a way that allowed me to become swept up in the urgency.
The greatest strength of this novel is its atmosphere; the descriptions of locations and the strategies of the secret police are exceptional. I was surprised and fascinated by the author’s note which explains that Gina Wilkinson is a former foreign correspondent who witnessed Baghdad under Hussein’s rule.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. When the Apricots Bloom is scheduled for release on February 2, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
October 3, 2021
O carte interesantă, bazată pe experiența autoarei în Irak, în timpul lui Saddam Hussein. Este o poveste despre prietenie și trădare, despre cât de departe ești dispus să mergi pentru a-ți ști familia la adăpost. Recomand
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,598 reviews