DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Swallows Of Kabul

A poignant exploration of humanity amidst despair

Yasmina Khadra author John Cullen translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:5th May '05

Should be back in stock very soon

The Swallows Of Kabul cover

Set against the backdrop of Taliban-ruled Kabul, The Swallows of Kabul tells the intertwined stories of four individuals grappling with despair and the struggle for humanity.

In The Swallows of Kabul, the narrative unfolds in a city ravaged by the oppressive regime of the Taliban, where the lives of four individuals become a poignant exploration of humanity amidst despair. Mosheen, once ambitious and hopeful, faces the shattering of his dreams as he and his wife Zunaira navigate a world where her very presence in public becomes a risk. Zunaira's beauty is now a burden, as the rules of the Taliban strip away her freedom and identity, forcing her into a life of concealment and fear.

Atiq, a jailer, is burdened by the weight of his role in a system that condemns lives to death. The darkness of his profession haunts him, leading to a profound internal struggle as he grapples with his own morality. His wife, Musarrat, suffers from an illness that no one can alleviate, adding to Atiq's sense of helplessness. As their stories intertwine, the novel delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The Swallows of Kabul is an evocative tale that captures the essence of human connection in a landscape where joy is forbidden and survival is a daily battle. Through the intertwining fates of these four characters, the novel offers a haunting reflection on the cost of living in a world stripped of its humanity, reminding readers of the resilience found in love and hope.

A stiflingly powerful evocation of a country in which war has found a homeland -- Chris Power * The Times *
Inspiring... Evokes the feeling of a nation's collective suffocation * Daily Telegraph *
Harrowing... Remarkable... Khadra's simple, elegant prose, finely drawn characters and chilling insights prepare the way for the terrible climax... A superb meditation on the fate of the Afghan people * Publishers Weekly *
A powerful human story * Financial Times *
Intense, elegant, despairing prose...deeply affecting * Guardian *

  • Short-listed for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2006

ISBN: 9780099466024

Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 13mm

Weight: 153g

208 pages