Mariel
asked
Nadia Hashimi:
What was your inspiration to write this novel? I was wondering if you were inspired about the work of journalist Jenny Nordberg and her book "The underground girls of Kabul".
Nadia Hashimi
Hello Mariel,
I was born and raised in the United States to Afghan immigrants. I spent my life watching my counterparts, girls growing up in Afghanistan, suffering the injustices of war and misogynistic regimes. The girls and women of Afghanistan have been oppressed for too long and I wanted to tell their story. In thinking about what it means to be a girl in Afghanistan, it occurred to me that the bacha posh tradition would be the perfect vehicle to discuss the role of gender. A child who has experienced life both as a boy and as a girl can shed so much light on the world of difference between these two sexes in a country like Afghanistan. This really is a story that came from my profound appreciation for having a family so supportive of education. Not everyone has that foundation and it makes all the difference in the world.
I was born and raised in the United States to Afghan immigrants. I spent my life watching my counterparts, girls growing up in Afghanistan, suffering the injustices of war and misogynistic regimes. The girls and women of Afghanistan have been oppressed for too long and I wanted to tell their story. In thinking about what it means to be a girl in Afghanistan, it occurred to me that the bacha posh tradition would be the perfect vehicle to discuss the role of gender. A child who has experienced life both as a boy and as a girl can shed so much light on the world of difference between these two sexes in a country like Afghanistan. This really is a story that came from my profound appreciation for having a family so supportive of education. Not everyone has that foundation and it makes all the difference in the world.
More Answered Questions
Jessica
asked
Nadia Hashimi:
I read When the Moon is Low about 2 weeks ago, and subsequently devoured The Pearl That Broke It's Shell this week. Something I picked up on when I started Pearl is Shekiba's father Ismail being a master of of cultivating his land, much as Fereiba's father is with his orchard in Moon. I see other similarities between these men as I got to know their characters....did you think of them similarly as you were writing?
Jananie Baskaran
asked
Nadia Hashimi:
Hi Nadia, I just wanted to say I'm in awe of your writing! I just finished Sparks like Stars and loved every bit of it. I loved the way you created a balance in Sitara's character as a bold and independant woman while equally carrying a vulnerable, empathetic side to her. Is there a specific book you've read that you keep going back to, in times of motivation?
Gloria
asked
Nadia Hashimi:
I wish the book would have ended with some factual information about women's progress in Afghanistan to-date. A mention of perhaps a trustworthy organization that helps with women's rights there would have been great. The comment on the 9-11 attacks was mentally provoking. Would you consider a 2nd book I touching on the Afghanistan's view of America, Americans, and our involvement in the war?
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