The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

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?

©2014 Nadia Hashimi (P)2024 William Morrow Paperbacks

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.

I rarely read but I read this and listened to it twice now:)

This book is a must read. Between my sobs and my acknowledgment of my own privilege, I feel I’m a better person after understanding this story.

beautiful story

this was well written and well performed. I was captured by all the characters and I love any novel that allows me a glimpse at obscure parts of history.

strength and heartbreak

this unique story painted pictures in my mind about a world I thankfully do not know. I feel there are many lessons to take away.

Beautiful story of triumph

Well written. Though the narrative slips between two centuries the flow is overall smooth. I found myself truly caring about the plight of the characters. There were a couple of times I felt it was close to predictable but even then there were aspects and twists that I had not seen coming. This is an amazing debut novel.

Being a woman born in America is a lottery win like no other

I cannot begin to imagine the truly terrifying and devastating lives of these women born into a life described in the pages of this book. My heart hurts for them and for their suffering. I found myself yelling out loud in anger to no one as I listened to the tragic stories that are so unfamiliar to me but so very real to those still living them. I’m grateful for the window this gave me into a world to which I knew nothing and the deep gratitude it gave me for my own “naseeb”. Phenomenal novel.

An insight into the lives of Afghan women

Well written and gripping storylines. Beautiful performance too by the narrator, but at some instances where she lowered her voice it was too low and I struggled to hear.

The miserable lives of Afghan women

Very well written and the flow of the story is very smooth. Enjoyed it a lot

A tale as old as time…but filled with hope

This is the parallel story of two women, each born to her own naseeb (kismet). The story navigates their struggles across different time periods in Afghanistan.
It was difficult to listen to at times but I had to remind myself that this is how things used to be and continue to be for many women living in oppressive regimes. The narration was well done. The storyline was interesting.

Amazing Afghan women

Excellent story describing the problems of women in Afghan society for years. Freedom and respect should be for everyone.