Daryâ’s simple life in mid-nineteenth-century Afghanistan is torn apart when a hateful curse by a jealous tribeswoman leaves her an outcast i...
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reviews
Mar 04, 2009
Elizabeth_agd
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This novel provided me with an understanding of Afghanistan and India and the life of women, arranged marriages and culture from the 1850s. I enjoyed watching the protagonist, Darya, survive in a multitude of situations, mainly beyond her control, and journey into womanhood.
Coincidentally I had also borrowed the movie "Charlie Wilson's War" and it was about current-day USA efforts in Afghanistan. Not to spoil the movie so I will use basic thoughts here, however, the lack of More...
Coincidentally I had also borrowed the movie "Charlie Wilson's War" and it was about current-day USA efforts in Afghanistan. Not to spoil the movie so I will use basic thoughts here, however, the lack of More...
Aug 12, 2011
Dana
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This story is set in the mid 1800s in Afghanistan, India and England. Darya is born a Muslim Tajik in Afghanistan. She is taught to be obedient and know her place in life (women are seen as little more than slaves). She does try but is curious and intelligent and consequently is continually physically abused by her father. Her father's second wife curses her and her life might as well be over as the village shuns her and she has no prospects whatsoever.
Her father sells her into marriag More...
Her father sells her into marriag More...
Aug 10, 2011
Belinda
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Why don't more people know about Linda Holeman?! This is a terrific follow up to her earlier book, "The Linnet Bird". It picks up about 15 years later, following the story of an Afghan girl who is cast out of her village as cursed. She finds ways to survive, and ends up the traveling companion of David Ingram, whose mother is the main character of "The Linnet Bird."
While I really liked "The Linnet Bird", I found the prostitution scenes bordering on vulgar, More...
While I really liked "The Linnet Bird", I found the prostitution scenes bordering on vulgar, More...
Sep 18, 2009
Tara
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Wonderful story. I could not put it down. Darya is an Afghani girl and the book follows her life from childhood with an abusive father to a marriage with an abusive man and then her slavery to an abusive Englishman. Note I have used the word abusive 3 times. I gave this engrossing book only 4 stars instead of 5 because there is not a moment of happiness or pleasure in this young girls life until page 475. How many beatings and degradations can a woman really handle? Truly, a heart wrenching tale
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Jan 02, 2012
Ne
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As expectativas eram grandes, mas foram diminuindo à medida que ia adiando e adiando. Finalmente peguei nele e esperei algo ao género da Queimada Viva. E foi mais ou menos isso que encontrei, mas um pouco mais soft, mais longo e por isso muitas vezes menos intenso.
Adorei a personagem de David Ingram. Tardou a aparecer e algumas vezes exasperei-me com ele, mas gostei do facto de ele ser sensível e ter um coração enorme. Se não fosse assim, a história de Daryâ seria muito diferente. Foi aqui More...
Adorei a personagem de David Ingram. Tardou a aparecer e algumas vezes exasperei-me com ele, mas gostei do facto de ele ser sensível e ter um coração enorme. Se não fosse assim, a história de Daryâ seria muito diferente. Foi aqui More...
Nov 28, 2009
Helen
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This is the first book I've read by Linda Holeman and it was good enough to make me want to read more of her work. I love books that help me to learn about other times and other places: in The Moonlit Cage, Holeman introduces us to life in 19th century Afghanistan. Not being an expert in Afghan history or culture, I have no idea how accurate her descriptions are, but the book seems very well-researched to me. A glossary of unfamiliar Dari and Pashto words is included at the back of the book, bu
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Sep 21, 2011
Sabrina
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I am adding Linda Holeman to my list of favorite authors! Once again, she took me on an ride through India, Afghanistan and England. As in The Linnet Bird the ride was not always a pleasant and scenic. But it was real. I loved the main character Darya! Her journey from the beginning to end was one that was fraught with many challenges- including a curse! Yet she always believed that she was destined for more.
The return of some characters from The Linnet Bird made The Moonlit Cage: A Novel More...
The return of some characters from The Linnet Bird made The Moonlit Cage: A Novel More...
Dec 06, 2008
Cheryl S.
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Enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book, but then it became a bit perdictable towards the end. Interesting cultural info regarding primitive village life, nomadic tribes while following the life of a young Afghan girl who refuses to conform to her repressive environment.
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Jan 07, 2009
Mae
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pretty, thoughtful book. ending was a little cheesy. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Afganistan.
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Sep 25, 2009
Bunxena
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Oct 20, 2011
Julie
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I enjoyed the first half of this book a lot. Holeman is an excellent writer, and her descriptions of Afghanistan and the culture of various tribes is fascinating. But the latter half of the book became predictable - and even a little distasteful once the heroine reached London as a "kept woman". I bought two more of Holeman's books used from Amazon, so I will be reading more of her writings, but not sure I will make the effort to locate any others in the future.
Jan 24, 2012
Nikki
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You know I'm a sucker for a great opening line... "I have always been told I was wicked." That's how Linda Holeman began the epic journey of a young Afghan girl in the 1800's. I really enjoyed the cultural insights from Afghanistan, through India, and on to England. Darya's life was not a carefree life by any means, but her strength (along with the memory of her strong grandmother) carried her through a lot. Hefty book, hefty story, but worth the read.
Mar 03, 2011
I am really enjoying this book. It holds my attention. It is neither too light or too heavy. It is an interesting perspective on India and Afghanistan in 1845. I don't know how historically accurate it is. But I know there were some very strong women in Persia at the time so it is believable.
Dec 17, 2009
This was my favourite of all the Linda Holeman books I have read so far.
I found it fascinating to learn about the history of Afghanistan, a country I don't know much about.
I enjoyed the exciting story of Darya, a Muslim Tajik woman struggling to endure her arranged marriage but wanting more of life. She is intelligent and outspoken in a time when women have hardly any rights. Her strength and outspokenness gets her into trouble again and again but is also key to her survi More...
I found it fascinating to learn about the history of Afghanistan, a country I don't know much about.
I enjoyed the exciting story of Darya, a Muslim Tajik woman struggling to endure her arranged marriage but wanting more of life. She is intelligent and outspoken in a time when women have hardly any rights. Her strength and outspokenness gets her into trouble again and again but is also key to her survi More...
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Jun 01, 2010
Lynnette
rated it:
I just plucked this book off the library shelf w/o knowing anything about it and couldn't put it down. The story of the journeys of a
young girl growing up in the restrictive culture of Afganistan and other
neighboring areas. Very good! L
young girl growing up in the restrictive culture of Afganistan and other
neighboring areas. Very good! L
May 26, 2009
Shelley
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I really liked the first 2/3 of the book - I loved reading about life in Afghanistan and India. The part about living in England I didn't like so much - it didn't seem to fit with the "strong" and "powerful" character Darya supposedly was. The ending was fairly predictable, and there was too much teen-age drama between her and David, but overall I liked it.
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Aug 09, 2010
Milly
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Arg! Here is the novel that I have searched for for over FOUR YEARS!!! I will have to grab it again sometime and re-read it. As far as I can remember, this is definitely worth the long search?
Apr 15, 2010
Sgrandine
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This was a page turning fantastic read! I would recommend it strongly if you like a heartwarming tale of one woman's strength and courage living in a very difficult time and country.
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Jun 09, 2011
B.j.
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"I have always been told I was wicked." This is the first sentence in this book that tells the life journey of a strong-willed and intelligent woman living in male dominated Afghanistan in the 1850's. It is a very poignant and thought-provoking story.
Nov 01, 2009
Janet
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So much sadness
This is a very well written book,however there is so much sadness in this book that it makes you wonder if this author is as sad. The character in this book is very strong young lady. She has to deal with so much pain and sorrow and shame,it is a wonder she could still hold her head up after it was all said and done. If you are looking for a happy book this is not the one to read. However, it will make you hope things will get better for the young lady. One c More...
Mar 07, 2009
Alexandria
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again this is the sequeal to the linet bird it follows her son david back to india and a young fire spirited muslim girl the way they meet and their journey together
Jul 27, 2011
Angie
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this was a beautiful story......the main character is very interesting. I just discovered that this is part of a trilogy AND Linda Holeman is from Winnipeg!!
Jul 11, 2011
Read before I started being on Goodreads.
What I do remember is that the story really pulled me in. Very good. It was haunting, so sad and then just perfect
What I do remember is that the story really pulled me in. Very good. It was haunting, so sad and then just perfect
Mar 06, 2011
Cindy
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18th century Afghan woman escapes her brutal marriage and curse to make her way to Bombay and eventually London. Richly detailed. I enjoyed this.
Dec 08, 2011
Linda
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Wonderful book about the vulnerability and powerlessness--but also the strength and power--of women in Afghanistan and London in the 1850s.
Feb 01, 2012
Maceh
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I love this. I read this for a week only! It's not hard to follow. Simple yet very touching. I can't help seeing myself.
Mar 04, 2010
Teresa
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This is the 2nd. book from this author. Very interesting cultural read. I enjoyed her first book much better.
Nov 27, 2008
Farhana
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It started out so well! However I thought the ending was rather disappointing, almost like a whole different author decided to conclude the wonderful story. Overall, a great novel - worth the time.
Feb 23, 2011
Tara
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Awesome. Great historical fiction book. Not as much adult content as The Linnett Bird.
Jul 05, 2009
Mary
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This story really captures your heart and makes you realized how fortunate we are.
