52 pages • 1 hour read
Sparks Like Stars: A Novel
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Book Brief
464
Novel • Fiction
Kabul, Afghanistan • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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
23,091 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
23,091 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
464
Novel • Fiction
Kabul, Afghanistan • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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