"Sparks Like Stars" - Nadia Hashimi's Captivating Novel

trisha.gtrisha.g: An impactful story of survival, resilience and hope. I am a big fan of Nadia Hashimi's writing and I couldn't wait to read this book.
It delves into the military coup of Afghanistan against President Daoud Khan, in 1978 and the aftermath.

This historical fiction is complex, yet all the characters are so real. The protagonist Sitara is every bit real and relatable. Loved the character of Antonia! I highly appreciate that the author has thrown limelight into the pitfalls of the foster care system.

Once again, Nadia Hashimi takes the reader to Afghanistan but through a different time zone. She also blends in the incidents of protest against the US embassy in Islamabad and the hate amongst US citizens post 9/11.

I couldn't put down this book and even when I had to, I wanted to get back to reading soon. The book makes you ponder even after you're done. It's a marvelous read and the vivid description gives you the feeling of watching the whole story unfold.
The author has done a fabulous job in keeping the reader glued to the book. Definitely, recommend reading this!

India on Nov 02, 2023

MoGo: My cousin loved this book which I got for her.

India on Aug 24, 2023

Jtaylor: Longer than it needed to be and somewhat predictable, but I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Afghanistan history and culture.

United States on Jul 04, 2023

Michelle: "People say third world and think it just means countries without Internet or paved roads. But third world is Cold War terminology. NATO countries are the first world and the Communist bloc is the second world. The third world was where these two clashed. So the mess in Afghanistan is actually a first and second world problem".

We meet our characters just before the military coup. The years when Russia and America are fighting for the affections of the Afghan people, investing money, building universities, outdoing each other like toddlers. From there we see not only how this affects the country, but how it affects the children.

This book made me think, do I see articles along the lines of children in war in the media and the answer is sadly no.

I went into this book not knowing a lot and I think you should also, but prepare yourself, this is not an easy read but one we should keep educating ourselves on, the ramifications in Afghanistan continue on.

I'll be reading this authors backlist.

Five stars.

United Kingdom on Apr 29, 2023

Veronica: Slow start, but then was mesmerized. I never liked historical fiction until recently, but traveling the world allows me to envision these characters so much more vividly.

United States on Apr 10, 2023

Amazon Customer: Highly recommended to read for all book lovers.its One of those books which make you cry empathising the main character.Loved the story.

India on Jan 01, 2023

Nancy Hartill: The story of young Sitara and the life she had was uprooted in a moment and found her facing two foreign women and a new life ahead. Aryana becomes a surgeon and has a boyfriend interested in politics. She is so steeped in the past she can't begin to face her future. She discovers a face from the past and confronts him for answers. I liked this story of an Afghan woman making a new life in the U.S.

United States on Aug 21, 2022

Anna Bishop: Nadia Hashimi gracefully draws you into the story of a young Sitara, who loses her family during the Saur Revolution. Grief, destruction, renewal, and pain are thoughtfully portrayed as Sitara struggles through a world that seems determined to wound her. This book is an excellent but heavy read. It leaves one with many thoughts about political violence, emotional healing, American and Russian imperialism, and the path from trauma to understanding. I look forward to reading more of her works.

United States on Jul 24, 2022

C. Stanford: A well-written story about a girl who survives a terrifying coup in 1978 Kabul and what she learned about herself, her country, dealing with grief, and the people then and now. I learned a lot and was glad I read it. However, the part about the bad hypocrite American foster parents was unnecessary and a real put-down of Americans. That, and the long length of the book kept me from giving it a 5* rating.

United States on Jan 03, 2022

Priti MachadoPriti Machado: SPARKS LIKE STARS
- Nadia Hashimi

Another book on Afghanistan. I just love historical fiction especially because most of them show how humans have resilience that just comes to them in times of adversity. It is so inspiring and also to know about the history and cultures of various places. And Afghanistan is a place that so many have tried to conquer, defeat and crush...but by hook or crook they have managed to stay afloat. A place becomes bitter not because of the people living in it but because of the people who invade from outside and try and try to take everything away from them and leave them hollow.
Sparks like Stars is a well-written story of a little girl called Sitara who was born to a distinguished and political family in Afghanistan. Her father was a high ranking official working for the president. She has been brought up with privileges and has seen the best. She was a part of Afghanistan in the 1970’s when is was progressive. In 1978, a communist coup assassinates the president and her entire family, while she managesto escape. All those whom she trusted turned their backs on her. How will a ten year old girl survive especially when she is the only...

India on Jun 26, 2021