The Pearl that Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi

The story takes us to Afghanistan where we first encounter the young Rahima. She is the third out of five girls in her family. In Afghanistan, and many other cultures, it's unfortunate and even shameful not to have any sons. Rahima's father does not hide his disappointment. Along with his opium addiction, he makes life harder for his family - barely providing for them. From time to time, he takes his girls out of school because it isn't safe for them to go alone. The sisters are harassed by the men in their village. If only they had a son who could escort them. That's when Raisa, Rahima's mother, remembers an old tradition, bacha posh. It has been and still is practiced by families who don't have sons. Instead they take a young daughter, cut her hair, give her boy's clothes and turn her into a boy. This happens to Rahima and for a time, she is blessed with the freedom that only boys experience. Rahima's aunt Shaima tells the story of her great-great grandmother, bibi Shekiba who did not have a fortunate life. It is her story we hear alongside Rahima's. Shekiba lived in the 1900's. Life did not treat her well, but she became and remains an inspiration to her descendants. 

I loved the stories of Rahima and Shekiba. They both experience so much misfortune and hardship, but they make it through. It's incredible how much they can handle and endure. Both women had a time in their life where they lived as boys. Rahima as a bacha posh and Shekiba when she worked as a guard for the king's harem, his mistresses. The story depicts how much inequality women experience. What was also really fascinating to me was the Afghan culture and how men can have multiple wives. I knew that men could marry more than one woman, but the relationsship between these woman was interesting to read about. Honestly, both Rahima and Shekiba have tragic lives. It was really one tragedy after the other, but it is reality. That's the life for some Afghan women. Child brides are also a reality. What I got from this story is that the duty of a woman is to be married, have children, preferably boys, cook and clean. That's it. Oh, and women belong to their men once they're married. They don't even have the freedom to visit their own family. They have no say in anything. Women should be obedient to their men. And there are too many malicious mother-in-laws. My god, this novel had me angry more than once. My hearth really ached for the girls. I really wish things could change. All people deserve to live their life as they want. No one belongs to anyone. 

I think I admire their strength the most. Women are strong. Rahima and Shekiba are both women with incredible strength despite the challenges they've gone through. They keep going. They keep inspiring. 

Nadia Hashimi, HarperCollins books, 450 pages, 2014