My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women (Hardcover)
$25.00
On our shelves
Staff Reviews
The 23 very short stories in My Pen is the Wing of a Bird were composed as part of the Write Afghanistan project for Untold, a writing program for women in areas where there has been upheaval. The stories highlight the way oppression and war inflict lasting scars on families, especially women and children. They also illustrate the way, in the face of these circumstances, these women exhibit resilience and determination. Most of the writing is plain and feels autobiographical; there is subtext and depth beneath the simple words. The opening quote from one of the writers, which provides the title of the collection, says it all: “My pen is the wing of a bird; it will tell you those thoughts we are not allowed to think, those dreams we are not allowed to dream.”
— MamieDescription
A landmark collection: the first anthology of short fiction by Afghan women that are "powerful, profound, and deeply moving" (Elif Shafak, author of The Island of Missing Trees, a Reese's Book Club pick)
"My pen is the wing of a bird; it will tell you those thoughts we are not allowed to think, those dreams we are not allowed to dream."
Eighteen Afghan women living in, speaking about, and writing from the country itself tell stories that are powerful and illuminating, unique and universal - stories of family, work, childhood, friendship, war, gender identity, and cultural traditions.
A woman's fortitude saves her village from disaster. A teenager explores their identity in a moment of quiet. A tormented girl tries to find love through a horrific act. A headmaster makes his way to work, treading the fine line between life and death.
These and more original, vital, and unexpected stories hail from extraordinary voices rooted in Afghanistan's two main linguistic groups (Pashto and Dari), and were developed over two years through the writer development program Untold's Write Aghanistan Project. My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird comes at a pivotal moment in Afghanistan's history, when these voices must be heard.
With an Introduction by Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondant, and afterword by Lucy Hannah, Founder and Director of Untold
About the Author
The authors are Maryam Mahjoba, Freshta Ghani, Masouma Kawsari, Fatema Haidari, Sharifa Pasun, Elahe Hosseini, Batool Haidari, Atifa Mozaffari, Anahita Gharib Nawaz, Parand, Marie Bamyani, Maliha Naji, Fatima Saadat, Fatangis Elyassi, Fatema Khavari, Naeema Ghani, Zainab Aklhaqi, and Rana Zurmaty.
Praise For…
"Powerful, profound and deeply moving, new fiction by Afghan women writers will expand your mind and elevate your heart."—ELIF SHAFAK, author of The Island of Missing Trees, a 2021 Reese’s Book Club Pick
"Sometimes, life is having beautiful dreams in a nightmare. The authors of this book express their longing to escape a nightmare and build a liveable world. A liveable world for everyone, but especially for women at a time when their body and soul are being destroyed."—BURHAN SÖNMEZ, President of International PEN
“Gut-wrenching… This intense collection does inspire hope.”--NPR—NPR
"The stories are reflective, surprising and candid, as the authors grapple with gender, tradition, relationships, violence, work and more."—Ms. Magazine
"Heartbreaking and heartfelt....The sacrifices people make for one another and the unbreakable attachment people have to home, no matter what hell that home may host, are repeated notes that echo in the heart."—Kirkus Reviews
“Revelatory… a remarkable portrait of lives largely invisible to readers outside Afghanistan. This brims with humanity.”—Publishers Weekly—Publishers Weekly
"Offers vivid snapshots of a country beset by war and violence, where misogyny is rife but women continue to dream of a better future."—Financial Times (UK)
"Moving, profound, and memorable short stories written by Afghan women inspired by their lives and explores topics of friendship, political policies, family, culture, and more."—Buzzfeed
“A rare window… 18 courageous writers… break the silence.”—People
Free Media Mail shipping on U.S. orders over $50