When the Apricots Bloom

Super Short Summary

When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson is a historical fiction novel set in early 2000s Baghdad, following the intertwined lives of three women: Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy; Ally, the wife of the Australian deputy ambassador investigating her mother’s past; and Rania, an estranged childhood friend of Huda's who runs an art gallery. The novel explores their struggles with secrets, betrayals, and the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein, as they try to protect their children and themselves from the dangers posed by the secret police. This book contains multiple instances and discussions of violence, sexual assault, discrimination, and harassment.