Play Book Tag discussion

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi - 4* - My Review

Dual timeline story of two women living a century apart in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 2007, Rahima is the third of five daughters. She is allowed to temporarily live as a male due to her family’s circumstances. In 1900-1919, Rahima’s great-great grandmother Shekiba survives a cholera outbreak that destroys her family. She becomes a guard to the Emir’s harem and is allowed to dress as a man. These male roles do not keep them from arranged marriages at a young age, where they suffer domestic abuse by their husbands and other relatives. Each woman attempts to forge her own path in an environment in which freedoms for women are severely restricted. These women suffer hardship after hardship. The early chapters are pretty grim. Fortunately, each story contains a ray of hope. The stories are nicely interwoven, and the themes are similar. It highlights the plight of women in this rigid patriarchal society. It is an impressive debut.

I read this one earlier this year and liked it quite a bit too. It was shocking to read how these girls/women were treated. Sadly, things aren't much better now.

Ellen wrote: "I read this one earlier this year and liked it quite a bit too. It was shocking to read how these girls/women were treated. Sadly, things aren't much better now."
It's really sad. I agree.

One thing that constantly baffles me is how women get blamed for not having sons when it is actually the man that determines the sex of the child. How is such basic biology not understood?

Absolutely right, Joy!

This one really stayed with me for a while when I read it last year.

Hannah wrote: "This one really stayed with me for a while when I read it last year."
I am glad you appreciated it too, Hannah. I think Hashimi does a great job of conveying women's issues in Afghanistan. I picked this one up after reading A House Without Windows, which I can also recommend.

This one made my favourites list the year I read it!

This is one of four books I have tagged for India.

Amy wrote: "This is one of four books I have tagged for India."
I think you would like it, Amy. Definitely worth reading.

LibraryCin wrote: "This one made my favourites list the year I read it!"
Glad you enjoyed it too!

Joy D wrote: "Hannah wrote: "This one really stayed with me for a while when I read it last year."
I am glad you appreciated it too, Hannah. I think Hashimi does a great job of conveying women's issues in Afghan..."

I really liked When the Moon is Low by this author, and I would definitely recommend that one to you.

Thanks, Hannah! I have it on my TBR and I own a copy, so I'll make sure I get to it in 2023.