Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
A House Without Windows
A House Without Windows: A Novel | Nadia Hashimi
A vivid, unforgettable story of an unlikely sisterhoodan emotionally powerful and haunting tale of friendship that illuminates the plight of women in a traditional culturefrom the author of the bestselling 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. Kamals 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: thirty-year-old Nafisa, imprisoned to protect her from an honor killing; twenty-five-year-old Latifa, who ran away from home with her teenage sister but now stays in the prison because it is safe shelter; and nineteen-year-old Mezhgan, pregnant and unmarried, waiting for her lovers 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, Zebas 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
kricheal
post image
Pickpick

I received this book in a #goodreads #giveaways
This was an excellent book about the injustices towards women in the Afghan patriarchal judicial system. #9 #2023

blurb
kera_11
post image

“As a woman, I only count as half a witness”
Zeba is found covered in blood, standing over her dead husband, she is jailed but she refuses to tell anyone what happened. In jail she meets other women whose crimes seem to be breaking social norms as a woman. Did she do it or is she protecting someone? Set in Afghanistan & very culturally rich. found myself zoning out of the audiobook at times, could have been shorter but this book is well written

6 likes1 stack add
review
erickahhh
post image
Mehso-so

This story was heartbreaking. I enjoyed the story development and was genuinely surprised by the last 20% of the book. I found myself getting frustrated with the story at times because it seemed to get a little repetitive. I also loved all of the inmates and the community they created with each other.

It is crazy to think how some women are imprisoned for things like dishonoring her family or self defense

review
suvata
post image
Pickpick

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.

Jenken1998 Oh i have this on my shelf.. may have to pull it forward! 3y
suvata Well, I gave it five stars if that‘s any help. 3y
TheBookHippie I love her books. 3y
See All 7 Comments
suvata @TheBookHippie I think I have read all of them but two now. I love her style. 3y
TheBookHippie @suvata I read The Pearl that broke it‘s shell and was hooked! 3y
suvata @TheBookHippie Funny, that is one of the two I haven‘t read. I will now. 3y
bookaholic1 I loved this book!! 3y
51 likes5 stack adds7 comments
review
janeycanuck
post image
Pickpick

Completely riveting. I love Hashimi‘s writing, weaving such intricate and moving stories with beautiful characters.

review
GatheringBooks
post image
Pickpick

#ConflictedWorlds Day 5: #PersonVsAbusiveSpouse - I was riveted by the narratives of the women who were imprisoned in Chil Mahtab, located outside of Kabul. The incarcerated women committed the crime of fighting back against abusive husbands or fathers or family members or accused of having sex outside of marriage – called zina or crimes of immorality. My review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-ndv

Eggs Sounds powerful 😞💔📚 3y
45 likes1 comment
review
la_rose_noire
post image
Pickpick

Zeba, an Afghan mother of 4, was found hands covered in blood beside her murdered husband. She refuses to talk about the events leading to the tragedy. Yusuf, her appointed lawyer will do everything in his power to discover the truth. #afghanistan #murder #womensrights #nadiahashimi #neverwithoutmycoffee

blurb
la_rose_noire
post image

Loved #thepearlthatbrokeitsshell by the same author so I'll give this one a try.

janeycanuck She has a new one out, it‘s really good! 3y
la_rose_noire Thanks @janeycanuck ! I didn't know! 3y
32 likes2 comments
review
MelKelsey
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image
Pickpick

Book 80

I listened to A House Without Windows. A well-written, engaging story about the societal role of women and justice in Afghanistan. A woman in goes to jail when her husband is found murdered. A surprising twist. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

20 likes1 stack add
blurb
GatheringBooks
post image

#ShowSomeLove Day 19: I got some #BooksAndCandy and a single red rose for Valentine‘s Day from ze husband, the greatest book-enabler of all time.

TheKidUpstairs Always thankful for the book enablers in life 😁😂 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwwww ❤️ 4y
46 likes2 comments
blurb
juliegumdrop
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image

I read 6 books this month. Going back to work full time has definitely cut into my reading time, but that‘s ok. A House Without Windows was amazing. I am still working on Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo and am on page 636/1300 something. #augustwrapup

MaggieCarr I learned a lot about their culture in A House Without Windows. ♡ 4y
21 likes1 comment
blurb
MallenNC
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image

Today‘s author is new to me, but the books I looked up sound great. #AugustAuthors

OriginalCyn620 She was new to me too! 4y
26 likes1 comment
blurb
ChaoticMissAdventures
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image

#AugustAuthor introducing me to all sorts of women authors I have never heard of before. Going to be looking into all of these books with beautiful covers. Day 17 with #NadiaHashimi

blurb
GatheringBooks
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image

#AugustAuthors Day 17: #NadiaHashimi is another author whom I do not know about until today‘s meme. Thank you, @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @OriginalCyn620 for including diverse authors.

OriginalCyn620 We tried to be diverse! 🙌🏼 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
50 likes2 comments
review
AmyK1
post image
Pickpick

Zeba is found in her yard next to her dead husband and offers no explanation for what happened. She‘s sent to Chil Mahtab, an Afghan women‘s prison, where she has little hope of leaving alive.

Book 14 for #bookspinbonanza @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oh wow, sounds intense! And awesome Bonanza progress!!! 5y
31 likes2 comments
blurb
AmyK1
post image

If Zeba had been a woman less ordinary, Kamal might have seen it coming-a gnawing feeling or at least a few hairs standing on end.

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

blurb
kricheal
post image

Starting this next, got this as a #goodreads #giveaway

Cathythoughts Lovely pic & cover 5y
kricheal @Cathythoughts Thank you. I love this cover! 5y
71 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
EvaPriest
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Mehso-so

This book transported me into Afghanistan and into women‘s lives which I loved, but I found the omniscient point of view or the head hopping into the intimate thoughts of each character disorienting. Descriptions are overwrought and the audio narrators hard to listen to. I wanted to bail, but also wanted to know how the main character fared. The ending was a fizzle, had no twist, and the love story went unresolved (unless I fell asleep).

blurb
Tanisha_A
post image

Holidays begin. 🙂

Loving this book so far.

Cathythoughts Happy holidays 😘 5y
batsy Nice! Enjoy 💕 5y
TrishB Enjoy ❤️ 5y
See All 10 Comments
Tanisha_A @Cathythoughts @batsy @TrishB Thank you, you sweethearts. Happy times to you too. 💖 5y
Amiable Happy vacation! Enjoy! 5y
BiblioLitten 💚📖 5y
kspenmoll Enjoy your vacation! 5y
readordierachel Hope you're having fun! 5y
charl08 Great photo! 5y
53 likes1 stack add10 comments
blurb
Tanisha_A
post image

#currentlyreading
Has anyone read Nadia Hashimi?

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I've read this one. It was good. 5y
KT1432 I actually own this one, but have yet to read it. 5y
readordierachel What a beautiful cover! 5y
See All 9 Comments
Tanisha_A @readordierachel It's a good read too, complex characters written in much detail. I think you'd like it. 5y
Tanisha_A @lele1432 I'd love to see what you think of it whenever you get to it. 🙂 5y
Tanisha_A @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I have a feeling it'll be a pick from me in the end. Have you read any others by her? 5y
readordierachel Adding it to my list :) 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I remember there being a reveal at the end that made it worthwhile (mind you I can't recall now what it was). I have a couple of her books, but this is the only one I've read so far. 5y
Tanisha_A @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I thought it meandered for a bit (could have been shorter) but overall i had a satisfactory reading experience. Think i'd like to read some serious literature on Afghan women. 5y
43 likes5 stack adds9 comments
quote
EvaPriest
post image

Nadia Hashimi has taken me back to Afghanistan with her story! I‘m rooting for the women unjustly imprisoned and hoping Zeba isn‘t actually the one who put an axe in her husband‘s head.

blurb
EvaPriest

I was having trouble hanging in, but am glad I did. At about 30% of the way through, something changed. The writing got better. The pace picked up. Now, I‘m being pulled along by the story itself and the desire to get answers to my questions.

quote
EvaPriest
post image

I love that the author includes an element of Afghan culture that that is only spoken of in whispers and resorted to when the majority faith has failed to produce a child from a barren womb or deliver someone from jail or make the father of a girl‘s baby marry her: jadu—magic.

quote
EvaPriest
post image

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image
review
Keeweejenn
post image
Pickpick

Was a worthwhile weekend read

3 likes1 stack add
review
GirlWellRead
Pickpick

This unforgettable story from the author of The Pearl That Broke Its Shell is an emotional journey of sisterhood, friendship, love, and hope that highlights the plight of women that are bound by a traditional culture.

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

I still have to read these!!

#Afganistan
#Augustisatrip

CouronneDhiver She‘s a beautiful writer... I love her books! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 6y
Andrew65 Great covers! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CouronneDhiver I need to get to them!! 6y
vkois88 ❤❤❤ 6y
109 likes5 comments
blurb
book.s
post image

This book will leave an imprint on my soul, of that I am sure...
Review coming soon. Stay tuned to our Facebook page :
www.facebook.com/booxoul for more

blurb
Book_in_hands
post image

Oh how I missed Litsy. I have had bad headaches for a few weeks so no reading or much on the internet but a visit to the eye drs I now have reading glasses and no headaches!!!! Books with #windows theme I have for #readingresolutions

Tamra What a simple solution, yay!!! 7y
Tamra This also sounds like a good read, stacked. 7y
Jess7 Oh great! I‘m glad they figured out the issue!!! (edited) 7y
See All 7 Comments
Jess7 I just bought non-prescription blue light blocking glasses to wear in my office at work while staring at a computer screen all day. They seem to work well with eye strain and fatigue. They have the option to order them as readers with magnification but luckily my close up vision hasn‘t dwindled, which is great considering my far away vision is awful!! My contacts are -6.25 and -5.75! 😫 7y
Book_in_hands @Jess7 I have the blue light coating on my reading glasses. I have 20/20 vision but the close up is fuzzy and straining on my eyes 7y
Jess7 Nice! Do you like them? @Book_in_hands 7y
scripturient Good to have you back and glad you‘re feeling better. You blanket/book parcel is currently in customs so fingers crossed it will get there in time for 9th March after all. 🤗 7y
54 likes7 comments
blurb
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
post image

I love reading books about other countries/cultures. This one definitely got my feminist fury going. Set in Afghanistan, but the author is a second gen American, so I felt some things seemed unlikely/inaccurate. But it was an overall good read. The reveal near the end was worth the wait.

kricheal I got this as a Goodreads giveaway, I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet. Glad you liked it! 7y
40 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
pitou215
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image
Pickpick

I picked up this book randomly in the new book section of the library and I'm so glad I did. Really enjoyed the story and it made me feel lucky that I live in a country where women's position in society has evolved and we are no longer punished for running away from our husbands. Though it's a reminder of how far we've come it's also a reminder of how much more we have yet to accomplish! Definitely recommend!

12 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
House Without Windows | Nadia Hashimi
post image
kspenmoll Love your Santas attire! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @kspenmoll thank you!! I found these at an antique store! 🎅 7y
85 likes2 comments
blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#goldandsilver
#fallintobooks
Anyone read the tagged book? I have 3 of hers on my shelf waiting...

Andrew65 I love this picture! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Andrew65 thank you!!! 😊❤️ 7y
LeeRHarry Great photo! 7y
bookwrm526 I haven't read any of her books, but that cover looks very welcoming 7y
68 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
bookaholic1
post image
Pickpick

I just finished this beautifully written book. It started with Zeba sitting by her husband with a axe to his head, dead. Zeba is then sent to jail where she doesn't reveal as to why she killed her husband, but continuosly helps others with their own problems. As you travel through the pages you learn what life can be like for a woman in Afganistan. A much needed read for everyone!!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It's on my tbr shelf!!! 7y
bookaholic1 Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks: that's awesome..it was on mine for awhile and finally picked it out of my jar of books to read and glad I did 7y
6 likes2 comments
blurb
bookaholic1
post image

I just started this book yesterday, and I just had to tell you fellow bookworms how great it is😁

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#diversity
#anditsaugust

I love reading books about other cultures and ways of life in other parts of the world 🌎 Even if it's fictional! Can't wait to get to these!! ❤️

75 likes3 stack adds
blurb
Debiw781
post image

This book was about the hidden power of women and the dysfunction of #family in a society where women have no legal rights.

#jubilantjuly
@RealLifeReading

CouronneDhiver I'm planning to read this soon... working on another novel by this author now! 7y
Debiw781 @CouronneDhiver I need to read another book by her. This one was definitely eye opening 7y
33 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
llwheeler
post image

Day 30 #readingwomenmonth - #FridayReads A House Without Windows is my #fridayreads, it's very very good so far.

blurb
EllieDottie
post image

This has been on my tbr for a while! It sounds really good! #setinthemiddleeast #readingwomenmonth

blurb
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
post image

#bookssetinthemiddleeast
These are on my tbr shelf 📚❤️
#readingwomenmonth

Cinfhen Pretty pic 🌺🌺🌺 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen thank you!!!! ❤️ 7y
EvieBee I've been meaning to get to these after reading 7y
See All 7 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @EvieBee84 did you like that one? 7y
EvieBee @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks oh yes! It was such an eye opener. A lot of people didn't like the ending, but I didn't mind it. Very good! Now to read her other books. 7y
Redjewel_7734 Ooohhh I ❤️ The Pearl that Broke Its Shell. Such a lovely heartbreaking book. 7y
KarynGood Loved The Pearl That Broke It's Shell! 7y
50 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
llwheeler
post image

Day 5 #readingwomenmonth - muslim authors. I don't know if I have any books for this prompt on my shelves but I have a lot on my library wishlist. So I at least bumped two of them from wishlist to holds list. Looks like one will come in quite a bit sooner than the other...

12 likes3 stack adds
blurb
hes7
post image

A fascinating novel set in Afghanistan that follows the experience of a woman accused of killing her husband. #SetInTheMiddleEast #MayBookFlowers

EllieDottie This sounds like a great read!! 7y
68 likes7 stack adds1 comment
blurb
kricheal
post image

#bookmail is the best mail

DivineDiana Yes, it is! 8y
39 likes1 comment
review
OutsmartYourShelf
Pickpick

Zeba is arrested on suspicion of killing her husband but is there more to the case? This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions as it examines the plight of women and girls caught up in the patriarchal notion of honour. It is equal parts infuriating, frustrating, and saddening. It could have been a little shorter as the author meanders in some parts. Rating: 4/5.

blurb
Dvmheather
post image

Zina is sex outside of marriage. This is a story about a woman in Afghanistan accused of killing her husband. She is the daughter of the local "witch" and she used her knowledge of spells to help a girl in prison for zina. She's telling her mother how she remembered the spell. I laughed out loud.