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52 pages 1 hour read

Sparks Like Stars: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Nadia Hashimi

Sparks Like Stars

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kabul, Afghanistan • 1970s

Theme
Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Sparks Like Stars follows Sitara Zamani, a young girl who survives the violent overthrow of the Afghan government in 1978. Smuggled to the US under a new identity, Aryana, she becomes a doctor in New York. A chance encounter with a figure from her past propels her back to Afghanistan, where she seeks truth and closure for her family's tragedy, grappling with themes of exile, loss, survival, and grief. The book includes scenes of violence, executions, child abuse, and sexual abuse.

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.4

23,091 ratings

88%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Nadia Hashimi's Sparks Like Stars has garnered praise for its compelling narrative and strong sense of place, capturing the tumultuous history of Afghanistan through the eyes of its resilient protagonist. Critics applaud Hashimi's storytelling and character development. Some readers find the pacing uneven, particularly in the latter sections. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its emotional depth and historical context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sparks Like Stars?

A reader who would enjoy Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi is someone captivated by historical fiction, particularly with a focus on Afghanistan's complex past. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner or Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale will appreciate Hashimi’s rich storytelling and deep emotional resonance.

4.4

23,091 ratings

88%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kabul, Afghanistan • 1970s

Theme
Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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