43 pages • 1 hour read
The Swallows of Kabul
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Book Brief
195
Novel • Fiction
Kabul, Afghanistan • 1990s
2002
Adult
18+ years
940L
Super Short Summary
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra explores the lives of Atiq Shaukat, a jailer in Taliban-occupied Kabul, and Mohsen Ramat, a former intellectual, as they grapple with the oppression and brutality surrounding them. Amidst personal turmoil and moral dilemmas, Atiq encounters Zunaira, Mohsen's wife, leading to profound changes in their lives and a tragic resolution under the tyrannical rule of the Taliban. The work depicts incarceration, abuse, suicide, mental illness, misogyny, executions, racism, and domestic violence.
Dark
Melancholic
Unnerving
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra is lauded for its poignant narrative and evocative portrayal of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Critics praise its deeply emotional characters and stark, poetic prose. However, some mention its bleakness and graphic nature as potential drawbacks. Overall, it is recognized as a powerful, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Swallows of Kabul?
Fans of A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini or The Kite Runner will be drawn to The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra. This reader appreciates profound narratives exploring human resilience against the backdrop of Taliban-era Afghanistan, and seeks emotionally intense stories with complex moral landscapes.
195
Novel • Fiction
Kabul, Afghanistan • 1990s
2002
Adult
18+ years
940L
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