Day 23 – the colour of this book cover is as mesmerising as its title.

I came across a review of this collection of short stories by Afghan women, more or less by accident today, as it was embedded inside a podcast reviewing an entirely different book and not mentioned in the write up.
In order to publish these stories in the English speaking world, those involved had to find translators who spoke Pashto and Dari and of course English and were willing to translate literary material for which there is not a great demand in Afghanistan. The editors put out a call in 2019 for stories and were surprised to receive nearly a hundred submissions.

Later in 2021 they put out another request using posters asking for stories from women in even more remote regions. More than 300 submissions were received. One lady sent her handwritten story from a province on the border with Turkmenistan, by taking a photo and sending it to her brother’s whatsapp address. He then forwarded it through three other people to the editors. It has now been published in the collection. The editor reported that she had just been able to send a photo back to that woman, of her story in the book lying open on a table in a well known publishing house.
I find it astounding that these women have the ability to write given the hardships they endure. It took one lady twenty years to be able to start writing because she felt so empty and broken. Lucy Hannah said that short stories were the preferred and easier format, given the ‘fractured and uncertain environment’ they live in. There is apparently a long history of short stories and poems in Afghanistan.
Fortunately it appears that through writing these stories these women have been able to form a community to encourage and support one another. Even though they are now physically scattered, they somehow keep in touch.
Their strength and courage offers a message of hope to the world.

SOL22
Thank you for turning me on to this book–it’s so important that you’re showing us how to read the world. Your post reminded me of a project by the poet Bhanu Kapil (I wrote about it at https://middleagedmiddlechild.com/2022/03/08/twelve-questions-ninety-seconds/)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the link. I’ll definitely look into that.
LikeLike
It never ceases to astound me how powerful words and language can be in the liberation of our selves, one another, and the world. I’m going to have to check this book out. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lainie for dropping by again. I agree, it’s astounding how words can be the outlet that is needed so often, especially in tragic circumstances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to need this book!! I love how writing their stories has brought these women together to encourage one another – just more of the magic of writing. Our stories knit us together 🙂 Thank you for this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting, Fran. Yes it’s amazing that they can now keep in touch, the editor was very definite about that on the podcast and I’m sure they need that now and that’s the power of social media. I love your phrase that stories knit us together, perfect!
LikeLike
This is proof that writing heals. Given all they’re going through, they still wrote. Thanks for sharing about this book. It sounds really powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you’re so right, there’s such a healing power in writing. It does sound powerful, even from the one excerpt they read out on the podcast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an amazing story, a testament to the value of writing, and a reminder never to take for granted what we have in this writing community. Now I must find this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Glenda for dropping by. I hope to get hold of a copy too. It’s so amazing what writing can do in even the toughest circumstances!
LikeLike
I am getting this book. Thank you so much for sharing. What power writing can give to build up oneself and a community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh great, yes I love hearing yet another uplifting story about what writing can do and how it can then be shared with the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing the communities that evolve around writing. What a treasure. Thank you again for sharing another window into the world.
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by again. Yes, I was glad to find out about the book and then be able to share it here!
LikeLike