A review by rieviolet
Un popolo di roccia e vento by Golnaz Hashemzadeh Bonde

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was a quick read because the chapters are short and the writing style is quite readable.
However, it is really not a light read, there are a lot of difficult topics, such as the main character's cancer but especially the domestic violence against women, that was the hardest part for me to digest. 

I do think that Nahid's perspective is interesting, exploring her personal situation and how it is connected to Iran's history, but goodness gracious, she is such an unlikeable character that so many times I wanted to scream "get a grip, stop tormenting your child!". 
I understand that there is generational trauma and that abuse can generate more abuse, but it comes to a point when you only have your own horrendous behaviour to blame and your own desire to cause pain to others as a twisted compensation for your past and present sufferings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Cancer, Grief, Medical content, and Sexism

Moderate: Pregnancy, Violence, Police brutality, and Death of parent

Minor: Chronic illness, Torture, Murder, Racism, Rape, War, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child death, and Suicide