The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

A Novel

By: Nadia Hashimi

Narrated by: Mozhan Navabi

Afghan-American Nadia Hashimi's literary debut novel is a searing tale of powerlessness, fate, and the freedom to control one's own fate that combines the cultural flavor and emotional resonance of the works of Khaled Hosseini, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Lisa See.

In Kabul, 2007, with a drug-addicted father and no brothers, Rahima and her sisters can only sporadically attend school, and can rarely leave the house. Their only hope lies in the ancient custom of bacha posh, which allows young Rahima to dress and be treated as a boy until she is of marriageable age. As a son, she can attend school, go to the market, and chaperone her older sisters.

But Rahima is not the first in her family to adopt this unusual custom. A century earlier, her great-great grandmother, Shekiba, left orphaned by an epidemic, saved herself and built a new life the same way.

Crisscrossing in time, The Pearl the Broke Its Shell interweaves the tales of these two women separated by a century who share similar destinies. But what will happen once Rahima is of marriageable age? Will Shekiba always live as a man? And if Rahima cannot adapt to life as a bride, how will she survive?

I Highly Recommend

I liked the story and the characters. It was heartbreaking for sure, but the triumphs of the main characters balanced it out.

Gratitude

Grateful to be an independant, educated woman. Heartbreaking to imagine how hard life can be. GBV is a subject that needs to be part of education, Mind boggling the absolute disrespect for your fellow human beings but in some cases it is just a norm because no one knows any better.

Incredible story, incredible narration

Devoured this book. Loved the story and the depth of the characters. Truly a work of art. Do yourself a favor and listen to it! You will not be disappointed.

Wow

This book really is eye opening and very real.
Makes you appreciate where I was born. I’m sorry people experience these things.

Good read!

Excelente narrativa

Detallada narrativa de la vida de las mujeres y sus destinos en un mundo dominado por la ignorancia. La religión musulmana que mantiene dominada a mujeres en un infierno.