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samraetom's review
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
aawilson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
this book helped to give stories of women being heroes and having some control over their lives in situations and a culture that seems (externally) to completely devalue and enslave them - of how they worked within what seems to be repression to find themselves and have lives of truth. A story about "truth" and the many aspects it may take. I found myself surprised and wanting to believe the hope of the story as I have seen and heard so many that do not end so hopefully and inspired by the strength of the women in the story.
stephanie19's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
ssj88's review against another edition
Audiobook that expired - would like to try again/carry on
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is about Zeba, who has been accused of killing her husband. The novel takes place in Afghanistan, and it feels as though the country is both a character AND setting of the novel. Zeba ends up in a prison for women, and the "crimes" most of these women are in for is simply mind-blowing. "Zani" includes any form of sex outside of marriage, but a woman can be accused of zani for being RAPED...that's right, if you're a woman, and you are raped in Afghanistan, it's your fault. If you're seen eating dinner with a man who isn't your husband, that is also a punishable offense. Leaving your husband because he beats you? Yup. It's awful...so the fact that Zeba is in prison for allegedly killing her husband seems a little more "fair," especially since the magistrates would have been within their rights to kill her on the spot.
I should note that Afghanistan didn't used to be this way...and there are parts of Afghanistan where there is more "rule of law" that doesn't include local law makers/magistrates killing women on the spot for alleged crimes, or sending them to prison for morality crimes. Yusuf's family is originally from Afghanistan, but immigrated to first Pakistan, and then America after the strife of the Russian invasion and the Taliban. Yusuf is a lawyer, and wants to go "home" to Afghanistan to help bring justice, little by little. He is the lawyer who takes on Zeba's case, and fights hard for justice (which is definitely an uphill battle in her case).
The author did a great job of telling a story, and not getting too caught up in gory details. It's very sad that there are women in this world who face such hardships, and I hope that through the work of good people like Yusuf (even though he's fictional) and by having their stories told, the world can become a better place.
I should note that Afghanistan didn't used to be this way...and there are parts of Afghanistan where there is more "rule of law" that doesn't include local law makers/magistrates killing women on the spot for alleged crimes, or sending them to prison for morality crimes. Yusuf's family is originally from Afghanistan, but immigrated to first Pakistan, and then America after the strife of the Russian invasion and the Taliban. Yusuf is a lawyer, and wants to go "home" to Afghanistan to help bring justice, little by little. He is the lawyer who takes on Zeba's case, and fights hard for justice (which is definitely an uphill battle in her case).
The author did a great job of telling a story, and not getting too caught up in gory details. It's very sad that there are women in this world who face such hardships, and I hope that through the work of good people like Yusuf (even though he's fictional) and by having their stories told, the world can become a better place.
ilaurin's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting story of a woman being tried in Afghanistan for the murder of her husband. It gives insights into the country and the plight of girls and women there.