When the book begins we are immediately thrust into the dark reality of a public execution; I knew it would be a compelling read from that moment but something just fell short for me. It was a grim, bleak read that is verbose in certain parts. I struggled to identify with any of the characters and it took me a great effort to keep reading until the end.

A realistic portrayal of life under frightening and oppressive regime, Swallows of Kabul is an illuminating and often distressing read. It is particularly good at highlighting and exploring the Taliban’s subjugation of women showing, the things we take for granted but are so rare for women under the Taliban regime.

The descriptions of Kabul are very vivid and I was impressed at how well a translated novel holds it own in terms of prose and word choice. Overall a good read if you're in the mood for something gritty.

Interesting writing style - a bit confusing sometimes in the way that the person speaking changes without any warning. But for a weird style the effect was like the smooth transitions of a movie, so not giving introduction to the changes kind of worked. A sad story, but it felt realistic. Pretty easy to read.

la cura, quello che frega le donne è la cura.
e così per amore ammazzi e t'ammazzi. a prescindere dalla cultura e dal mondo in cui sei nata e cresciuta.
quello che ci frega è la cura.
ma poi alla fine gli unici sconfitti sono gli uomini.
e noi in qualche modo ce la caviamo sempre.

"avere una risposta a tutto non ti mette al riparo da ciò che il domani tace. l'erudito sapeva molte cose, ma ignorava l'essenziale. vivere è anzitutto tenersi pronti a che il cielo ti cada sulla testa. [...] prendi le cose come vengono, non farne un dramma, non farla tanto lunga; non sei tu a condurre la barca, ma il corso del tuo destino"

Kaboul la maudite qui apprend tous les jours à tuer et à dévivre

This is the third novel by Yasmina Khadra that I have read: the first, The Attack, was set in war-torn Israel; the second, The Sirens of Baghdad, was set in war-torn Iraq; and this, Swallows of Kabul, was set in war-torn Afghanistan.

All three books explore long-established cultures being torn apart at the seams, usually from within — and while considered and intelligent, all are unbearably bleak with little joy in the narratives.

First published in 2002, Swallows of Kabul examines what it is like for ordinary citizens to live under brutal Taliban rule before the American invasion in the wake of 9/11.

When the book opens we are immediately thrust into the dark reality of a public execution and by the time the narrative comes full circle, just 195 pages later, we are back in the stadium to see another condemned person put to death by the state.

In between, we meet two very different couples whose lives become intertwined in an inexplicably cruel and unusual way. They are: Mohsen Ramat, an educated young man who once wanted to be a diplomat; his beautiful wife, Zunaira, who has had to give up her career as a magistrate because women are no longer allowed to work; Atiq Shaukat, a jailer who guards prisoners who have been sentenced to death; and his wife, Musarrat, who is dying of an unspecified, incurable illness.

To read the rest of my review, please visit .