A House Without Windows

A Novel

By: Nadia Hashimi

Narrated by: Ariana Delawari, Susan Nezami

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A vivid, unforgettable story of an unlikely sisterhood - an emotionally powerful and haunting tale of friendship that illuminates the plight of women in a traditional culture from the author of the best-selling The Pearl That Broke Its Shell and When the Moon Is Low.

For two decades Zeba was a loving wife, a patient mother, and a peaceful villager. But her quiet life is shattered when her husband, Kamal, is found brutally murdered with a hatchet in the courtyard of their home. Nearly catatonic with shock, Zeba is unable to account for her whereabouts at the time of his death. Her children swear their mother could not have committed such a heinous act. Kamal's family is sure she did and demands justice.

Barely escaping a vengeful mob, Zeba is arrested and jailed. As Zeba awaits trial, she meets a group of women whose own misfortunes have also led them to these bleak cells: 30-year-old Nafisa, imprisoned to protect her from an honor killing; 25-year-old Latifa, who ran away from home with her teenage sister but now stays in the prison because it is safe shelter; and 19-year-old Mezhgan, pregnant and unmarried, waiting for her lover's family to ask for her hand in marriage. Is Zeba a cold-blooded killer, these young women wonder, or has she been imprisoned, as they have been, for breaking some social rule? For these women the prison is both a haven and a punishment. Removed from the harsh and unforgiving world outside, they form a lively and indelible sisterhood.

Into this closed world comes Yusuf, Zeba's Afghan-born, American-raised lawyer, whose commitment to human rights and desire to help his motherland have brought him back. With the fate of this seemingly ordinary housewife in his hands, Yusuf discovers that, like Afghanistan itself, his client may not be at all what he imagines.

A moving look at the lives of modern Afghan women, A House Without Windows is astonishing, frightening, and triumphant.

©2016 Nadia Hashimi (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting

The unjust of how women are portrayed and received is appalling. Women behind bars because men mistreat them or make up lies is sad.

The narrator was good but her way of narration lends best to fireside stories. Maybe even for children stories.

Story was drawn out...

There were a lot of details that did not need to be included imo. I enjoyed the story but because there were so many characters and their stories that were introduced, it felt like it took away from the premise of the book. I understand a story like this needs to be explained as there are many cultural differences many might not be familiar with but I didn't think new characters needed to be developed in order to accomplish this.

An outstanding book

A murder trial with fascinating characters, complex relationships and a background rich in social, political, historical and religious issues. Stunningly beautiful and tragic.

This is the third of Nadia Hashimi's books I've read and they have all been excellent.

Blown away

Hashimi draws you into the lives of the characters in a way that makes them real to you. Heartbreaking and yet you can’t give up rooting for Zeba. I have to read everything she has written.

Great Story, poor reading

Would you consider the audio edition of A House Without Windows to be better than the print version?

I wished I had read it in print. I really didn't enjoy the narrator, who sounded like she was reading a children's book to small children. This seriously contrasted with some of the darker themes that the author was addressing.

What didn’t you like about Ariana Delawari and Susan Nezami ’s performance?

Her childish narration diminished the depth of the female characters. Her reading of the protagonist's mother made her sound like a evil hissing snake, which is not at all how I imagined this character. She made the other female prisoners sound ridiculous and silly. It was distracting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, the story is good, and there are several cliffhangers

Any additional comments?

I love Nadia Hashimi's novels. This one was a fascinating exploration of culture, history, and women's rights in Afganistan, like her other novels. The House Without Windows focused on the justice system.

Great read!

loved the story and figuring out the end before it was revealed. one narrators voice was had for me to listen to at first

True

So beautiful presents the culture & women's rights in Afghanistan, an ugly TRUTH.
Excellent !
Enjoy every seconds of it!

Great story. Couldn’t put down from the moment I started reading it until the end,

Great story. Couldn’t put down from the moment I started reading it until the end,

Light Without Windows

This book, it’s author and narrator was remarkable. Just peering into the lives of these women, and see how they function, and survive is enlightening.

The love of mothers for their children,while trying to keep their individuality is also what is at stake here.

Wonderful listen.

Thank you.

AnnieB

Liked the story but the narrator wasn't right

I liked this book but they absolutely chose the wrong narrator. She sounded like a teenage American girl and it just wasn't the right age or countenance for this story. I almost stopped listening during the first chapter but I kept on because I did like the story. I wouldn't waste a credit if I had it to do over.