The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

In her debut novel, Nadia Hashimi has gifted the world with a wonderfully written, mesmerizing look into a fascinating family drama set in Afghanistan. The main protagonists are Rahima, a young 21st century Afghani girl and her great-great-grandmother Shekiba who lived in the early 20th century. The story shifts between the young women who share not only DNA, but the fact that both were allowed for awhile to dress and live as males. Under a custom called bacha posh, families who do not have sons or have a single son, may allow a daughter to have her hair cut in boy fashion, don boy’s clothing, be given the freedom of boys to attend school, play in the streets, do marketing and price haggling for the family, earn money for the family, freed from household chores, be favored by the father, and receive the best food at home. After the onset of puberty, the girl has to transition back to a traditional Afghani female. Wherein lies much of the poignancy of this exquisite story. Once they have tasted freedom, recognition and respect, the bacha posh can have difficulty adjusting back to their culture’s traditional female role. Rahima, allowed to become a bacha posh, is one of five daughters. Her outspoken, sharp-tongued maternal aunt, Khala Shaima, never married due to a physical deformity, visits the family frequently to urge that the Rahima and her sisters be allowed to attend school, that they are as worthy as boys. She also tells them many stories, including that of Shekiba, their great-great-grandmother. Although the girls are allowed to attend school for a short time, after an incident with boys harassing them in the streets, they ultimately end up homebound. Rahima’s father is not a good provider, had spent much of his young adulthood fighting with the mujahideen against the Russian occupiers. His re-entry to civilian life did not go well. Between his substance abuse and his lack of a son, he was an angry, bitter man. His continued alliance with the local warlord from his mujahideen days will have drastic consequences for his family. Shekiba was the daughter of a happily married couple. Her father was a farmer who could make any crop grow, a true man of the earth. He taught all of his children to read. Her mother, two brothers and a sister died in a cholera outbreak, leaving Shekiba and her father working the farm. After father dies, Shekiba tells no one and continues to work the farm on her own, dawning her burqa if anyone approaches the homestead. Eventually her deception is discovered, she is moved to her grandmother’s house in the family compound and treated worse than a servant. Her spirit is fatigued at times, but never defeated. Shekiba becomes a female dressed as a male in the king’s harem, just outside the palace. The king has learned not to trust male guards. The description of Shekiba’s life in the harem is interesting and very compelling. The prestige of the concubines, the size of their apartments, their wardrobes and jewelry, were determined by the favor they held with the king. For the most part, this was dependent on the number of male children the concubine bore. The same measure used for Afghani wives, actually. Despite the luxury and leisure afforded concubines, there was always a shadow of danger hanging over them in their silk and jewelry-laden prison. Displeasing the king could be deadly. There is a vivid description of a stoning of a concubine who has entertained another man. This story is fascinating. Not only is it beautifully written, but the two arcs of the story, Shekiba and Rahima, based a century apart, show the similarities and contrasts of the female role in Afghani society. Shekiba saw the beginnings of modernization for Afghanistan under King Amanullah and Queen Soraya which included the expansion of the roles for women in society (true historical characters). A century later, Rahima actually participates in the Afghani legislature as assistant to a female representative. King Amanullah’s efforts to modernize Afghanistan a century ago were met with resistance and rebellion, eventually forcing him into exile after less than a decade of rule. It is still an open question whether today’s efforts to modernize the country and expand the role of women in the Afghani culture will succeed. The message of this book is that through the indomitable nature of the human spirit, there is hope, no matter the external circumstances of one’s existence. I gave this book a 4.75/5.0 rating. I hated to put it down to work, eat, sleep, and actually read it while I was on the treadmill and bike at the gym. I have barely sketched the stories of these two women; there are many other characters in the book who are just as mesmerizing. The most intense focus is on the women, but the men’s stories are represented as well because more than anything else, this is a novel about family. The men’s fates are also shaped by cultural expectations and how they use the power endowed by their societal structure has consequences for everyone around them. Some choose to brutalize others with this power while other men choose kindness, empathy and love.

Imagine a world where young children grow up either in poverty or riches, a time when the poor live much as they did 100 years ago, where young girls are seen not as a joy but almost bad luck, sold or bartered into marriages with men they probably haven't met or who are many years older than they. That is the world opened through the Nadia Hashimi's book "The Pearl That Broke Its Shell." It is the story of two young Afghani women: Rahima, who is one of five daughters in a family that decides to make her a bachata posh, which allows her to dress and be treated as a boy until marriageable age; and in alternate chapters, her great, great grandmother, Shekiba, an orphan treated badly first by her family and then sold into servitude to pay a debt. As told in Hashimi's capable hands, we see how similar their lives are and how the determination for a better life drives both. This is a quite astounding read and a good story that allows us to sea and begin to understand a bit of what it is like to live in such a world, especially in the time of great changes for Afghanistan.

An amazing story, and wonderfully written. I could not put this book down, and when I had to, I frequently found myself thinking about it and looking forward to when I could continue. Throughout this book, I couldn't help but think of how grateful I am to have been born a woman in America. With all the troubles we sometimes face here, we have our basic human rights, and freedom as women. It's horrifying that women and children (most especially girls) are treated so terribly. A beautiful, yet heartbreaking story, that will grip you emotionally. Several times I held my breath as something happened that was unexpected. Though this is a work of fiction, the author has loosely based her story on historical figures and events. She pulls you into the lives of these two women, and the culture in which they live. It's a very good reflection of the lives of so many women in the Middle East. As for the length of this book, it was perfect. I didn't want this story to end. It's hard to find books that are more than 300 pages long, and I don't care much for books under this. When you get into a gripping story like this one, it seems like you've reached the end when you've just barely started. If you liked this book, you might also like A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Moonlit Cage. If you've read either of these, you'll definitely love this one. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A modern subject treated with respect and reverence from an author whose cultural background has allowed her to write with authority. I found the subject fascinating yet appalling, as it will be to any un-westernised reader. The subjugation of women in the faith of Islam is one which I have never understood largely because I have never had to. Today, though with our interconnected world societies and cultures outside Islam are learning of atrocities that beggar belief, as indeed are those historically committed by Christians. But this book is more than just a story of women. It takes you deep inside the Afghan culture and will help your understanding of the structure that exists within that despite acts of benevolence here and there, revolves ultimately around the power of the (male, of course) warlord. My only difficulty was keeping pace with the vast cast whose names do not fall readily to memory any more than do their relationships with each other but overall, this is a brave and very readable book .

A very well crafted deep dive into Afghan culture, its history steeped in tragedy, especially for women, and the global influence on these people as a whole.

It is a fantastic read which grabs you and draws you into the horrors which awaited women in Afghanistan for points in time. Unique insight into the lives of 2 women in Afghanistan. Very Brutal and heartbreaking at times. I assume the story is based somewhat on Reality, which, if true, is disturbing to realise.

“The woman of this family don’t travel much. Get used to these walls. They are going to be all you see.” How absurd this is!!! Can you imagine someone saying this to you? I can’t. I shuddered just thinking about it and this is how almost all of the women in Afghanistan lives. Not allowed to make friends, not allowed to go outside alone and many more restrictions which just seems illogical. After reading Hosseini’s books I never thought I’d like any other book based on Afghanistan and Kabul OR anyone else would match his level of amazing writing but Hashmi here nailed it with her super friendly and easygoing writing. Its writing plays a big role here, it makes you feel warm and real. I could see things happening in front of my eyes. And let me tell you this book doesn’t bore you at ANY page throughout the book. From the very first chapter you’ll get hooked. I was stick to this book till the end. Hashmi has also shed some light on people blaming everything what they do on ‘Naseeb’. I personally think we get the reaction of our action. We’re the ones who make our fate. And this book conveys exactly that! There are two stories simultaneously going. One is of Rahima with 4 other sisters who’s transformed into a boy through ‘bacha-posh’ tradition. Other one is of Shekiba, Rahima’s Khala Shaima tell them their great-great grandmother’s courageous and strugglesome story. It’s sad how unstable women’s life is there. I totally loved this book and when I was only half done with the book I understood that she’s going to be one of my favourite authors and I added all her books to my list to buy super soon!♥️ 🔺Highly Recommended!🔺 ________ Cover and the spine of the book is very delicate which made the reading easier. In great condition and perfectly delivered.

O livro descreve a vida de duas mulheres afgãs em uma sociedade machista. Traz características e a compreensão de uma cultura diferente da ocidental. É de fácil leitura e envolvente.

MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS Nadia Hashimi's debut novel, "The Pearl that Broke Its Shell," is a compelling and evocative tale that intertwines the lives of two Afghan women separated by a century. Through the practice of bacha posh, where girls dress and live as boys, Hashimi explores themes of gender, identity, and resilience in a deeply patriarchal society. The novel alternates between the stories of Rahima, a young girl in present-day Afghanistan, and her great-great-grandmother, Shekiba, in the early 20th century. Rahima, one of five daughters, is transformed into a bacha posh to provide her family with the benefits of having a "son." This role allows her to attend school and perform tasks restricted to boys. Rahima's story highlights the temporary freedoms she gains and the challenges she faces when societal norms reassert themselves. Rahima's story is mirrored by Shekiba's journey, who also faced immense hardships and societal constraints. Shekiba's resilience and resourcefulness highlight the persistent challenges for Afghan women across generations. Her experiences provide a historical context to Rahima’s struggles, showing the enduring nature of these issues. Hashimi's writing style is lyrical and evocative, immersing readers in the cultural and social landscapes of Afghanistan. Her use of detailed descriptions and rich character development brings the settings and personalities to life. The dual narrative structure not only enriches the storytelling but also allows for a nuanced exploration of the parallels and contrasts between the two women's experiences. Hashimi excels in creating a vivid, multi-faceted portrayal of her characters' inner lives and external challenges. Her storytelling is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, capturing the essence of human resilience and the enduring quest for freedom and self-determination. "The Pearl that Broke Its Shell" is a powerful and enlightening read that celebrates the indomitable spirit of Afghan women. Hashimi's debut is a significant contribution to contemporary literature about Afghanistan, offering a profound look into the complexities of gender roles and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of women's resilience and the cultural dynamics of traditional societies.

I really don't have a lot of time for reading, so it usually takes me a while to get through a book. I normally only read on my morning commute, but this book was something else. I read the first few pages and put it away because I wasn't quite sure I liked it. I'm glad I picked it back up after a few days and continued because the plot and writing very soon picked up and left me unable to put it down. I finished it within a week. A wonderful tale, so true to life and the harsh reality that it's both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I can only recommend it.