43 pages 1 hour read

Yasmina Khadra

The Swallows of Kabul

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

940L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Themes

Society: War

Emotions/Behavior: Fear

Relationships: Marriage

Topics

Trauma / Abuse / Violence