Book Review: A House Without Windows

Book Name: A House Without Windows
Author: Nadia Hashimi

Publisher: William Morrow (An Imprint of HarperCollins)

Genre: Thriller and Suspense

A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi is a heart-wrenching and compelling thriller novel that transports readers to the lifestyle of Afghanistan, exploring themes such as justice, resilience, womanhood, and turmoil.

Review

The story follows the life of Zeba, a wife and mother of four children, who ended up in Chil Mahtab, a jail for women in Kabul, when she was found with blood on her hands and her husband lay with a hatchet stuck in his skull. Accused of a crime which she might or might not have committed, without throwing any tantrums, she followed the police. She waited for her trial in jail amongst other women who were spending their time in Chil Mahtab for petty crimes like running away with a lover, carrying a baby out of wedlock, and so on. Such was the life of women in patriarchal Afghanistan.

The storytelling takes readers on the journey of Zeba's life, focusing on the judicial system, societal norms in Afghanistan, and the lives of women in a male-dominated society. In this book, the author meticulously and straightforwardly demonstrates the multiple perspectives about Zeba's life (from past and present, her family dynamics), her lawyer's condition in judicial trials because of his origin, and other women she met in jail, allowing readers to feel empathy for the injustice they all faced. It might appear as a whodunit, but there's more to grasp and feel while reading through the book.

The character development is detailed, exploring the past of the characters, including the lives of the protagonist and side characters, such as her kids, mother, father, women in jail, and everyone else in the story. It is a tale of the resilience of a woman, Zeba, who stood her ground to protect a young girl from the wrath of society for something she was not responsible for. The young man, Yusuf, Zeba's lawyer, who knew something was amiss and Zeba was not a criminal, was a character who would win the hearts of readers for his unwavering determination to get Zeba justice. Zeba's eldest son, Basir, depicted a son who knew his duties and abided by his responsibilities even before being told by someone else. More like maturity hit him at a younger age.

The author's writing style is compelling, with a balanced mystery and portrayal of Afghanistan's culture. Her words will echo with readers, helping them understand the plight of women in the patriarchal society of Afghanistan. She depicts the harsh challenges women faced with a rich tapestry of culture and tradition in the country. The description of each place, whether it was Chil Mahtab or a shrine, all appear like a picture on the screen. It was so real to read that readers will feel chills run down their spines. The pacing was a bit uneven at times, yet the story will keep the readers hooked.

The overall impression of reading this book will leave readers crying, feeling emotionally driven, full of empathy for women, and somewhat brokenhearted. But the end of the story will make them feel satisfied. For readers who can bear to read about suffering, loss, and injustice, this book is going to change them a bit themselves. It is a must-read for lovers of mystery and thrillers.

Did Zeba commit a crime? What led to the brutal murder of Kamal? Will Zeba get justice? To find answers to all the questions, read this book.

Buy it from Amazon - A House Without Windows

Podcast Link - Pages and Beyond