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The Moonlit Cage
The Moonlit Cage is the spellbinding story of Darya, a young Afghan girl, cursed, worthless and despised by her husband and her family, who embarks on the journey of a lifetime - one that takes her from the unforgiving valleys and mountains of her homeland to 1850s London, the heart of the mighty British Empire.
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First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Linda Holeman
27 books241 followersLinda Holeman is the author of fourteen books of fiction. Her work includes two adult collections of literary short stories, Flying to Yellow and Devil’s Darning Needle, as well as the historic novels The Linnet Bird, The Moonlit Cage, In a Far Country, The Saffron Gate, The Lost Souls of Angelkov, and The Devil on Her Tongue. Her young adult body of work consists of a collection of short stories, Saying Good-Bye, which was re-released as Toxic Love, and four novels: Promise Song, Mercy’s Birds, Raspberry House Blues, and Search of the Moon King’s Daughter. She has also written a first-chapter book, Frankie on the Run, illustrated by Heather Collins. To date, Linda’s work has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Greek, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Hungarian, soon to be published in Croatian, Italian, Czech and Slovakian.
As well as being published in many journals and periodicals, her work has been widely anthologized in Canada – most noticeably in The Journey Prize Anthology – and abroad. Linda has also acted as guest editor for a young adult issue of Prairie Fire Magazine, for which was she awarded the Vicky Metcalf Short Story Editor Award. She has been the recipient of many honours and awards for her young adult work.
Linda has been a member of the Manitoba Artists in the Schools Program and CANSCAIP, toured with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, acted as a mentor in the Manitoba Writers’ Guild Mentor Program, taught creative writing through the University of Winnipeg’s Continuing Education, served on many juries, including the Governor-General’s Award for Children’s Literature, and created and facilitated numerous writing workshops on many aspects of the writing process to both students and adults nationally and internationally. She held a nine-month term as Writer-in-Residence at the Millennium Library in Winnipeg, and served on the editorial advisory board for Turnstone Press and on the board of the Manitoba Writers Guild. She is a member of The Writers Union of Canada.
Linda holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg, a BEd in Early Childhood Education and MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Manitoba.
She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Source: http://www.lindaholeman.com/
As well as being published in many journals and periodicals, her work has been widely anthologized in Canada – most noticeably in The Journey Prize Anthology – and abroad. Linda has also acted as guest editor for a young adult issue of Prairie Fire Magazine, for which was she awarded the Vicky Metcalf Short Story Editor Award. She has been the recipient of many honours and awards for her young adult work.
Linda has been a member of the Manitoba Artists in the Schools Program and CANSCAIP, toured with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, acted as a mentor in the Manitoba Writers’ Guild Mentor Program, taught creative writing through the University of Winnipeg’s Continuing Education, served on many juries, including the Governor-General’s Award for Children’s Literature, and created and facilitated numerous writing workshops on many aspects of the writing process to both students and adults nationally and internationally. She held a nine-month term as Writer-in-Residence at the Millennium Library in Winnipeg, and served on the editorial advisory board for Turnstone Press and on the board of the Manitoba Writers Guild. She is a member of The Writers Union of Canada.
Linda holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg, a BEd in Early Childhood Education and MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Manitoba.
She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Source: http://www.lindaholeman.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
November 28, 2009
This is the first book I've read by Linda Holeman and it was good enough to make me want to read more of her work. I love books that help me to learn about other times and other places: in The Moonlit Cage, Holeman introduces us to life in 19th century Afghanistan. Not being an expert in Afghan history or culture, I have no idea how accurate her descriptions are, but the book seems very well-researched to me. A glossary of unfamiliar Dari and Pashto words is included at the back of the book, but I didn't feel the need to refer to this very often as most of the words were explained as we encountered them in the text.
The story is narrated by Darya, a young Afghan girl. All her life Darya has refused to conform to others' expectations and secretly dreams of one day finding freedom. When her father's second wife, Sulima, puts a curse on her, Darya is forced to leave her village and is sold into marriage with the son of a nomadic chief. However, when her husband learns about the curse and threatens to kill her, she runs away again. As she escapes through the Hindu Kush mountains, she meets David Ingram and begins a journey which takes her first to India and then to London.
I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. The first two thirds, which took place in Afghanistan and India, were fascinating, though I didn't like the way the storyline developed after Darya's arrival in England. The only other problem I had with the book was that while Darya was an interesting, likeable character, I found David Ingram, as the hero of the story, quite boring and two-dimensional.
Throughout the entire story, Darya constantly questions why she has to behave in a certain way just because she's a woman and challenges the belief that daughters are worthless and only sons are of value. I admired the way Darya's strength and courage helped her to survive all kinds of pain and abuse.
I would recommend The Moonlit Cage to anyone who enjoys long historical fiction novels...but you can prepare to be saddened and shocked by Darya's story.
The story is narrated by Darya, a young Afghan girl. All her life Darya has refused to conform to others' expectations and secretly dreams of one day finding freedom. When her father's second wife, Sulima, puts a curse on her, Darya is forced to leave her village and is sold into marriage with the son of a nomadic chief. However, when her husband learns about the curse and threatens to kill her, she runs away again. As she escapes through the Hindu Kush mountains, she meets David Ingram and begins a journey which takes her first to India and then to London.
I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. The first two thirds, which took place in Afghanistan and India, were fascinating, though I didn't like the way the storyline developed after Darya's arrival in England. The only other problem I had with the book was that while Darya was an interesting, likeable character, I found David Ingram, as the hero of the story, quite boring and two-dimensional.
Throughout the entire story, Darya constantly questions why she has to behave in a certain way just because she's a woman and challenges the belief that daughters are worthless and only sons are of value. I admired the way Darya's strength and courage helped her to survive all kinds of pain and abuse.
I would recommend The Moonlit Cage to anyone who enjoys long historical fiction novels...but you can prepare to be saddened and shocked by Darya's story.
August 11, 2011
Why don't more people know about Linda Holeman?! This is a terrific follow up to her earlier book, "The Linnet Bird". It picks up about 15 years later, following the story of an Afghan girl who is cast out of her village as cursed. She finds ways to survive, and ends up the traveling companion of David Ingram, whose mother is the main character of "The Linnet Bird."
While I really liked "The Linnet Bird", I found the prostitution scenes bordering on vulgar, and at times the heroine was a little on the overly melodramatic side.
"Moonlit Cage" shows a more mature approach to character development, and a more patient, controlled use of the storyline. However, the final five pages seemed ridiculously rushed.
Regardless, I still recommend both books, and I think "The Moonlit Cage" would be a great book for discussion, particularly if you've enjoyed works like Khaled Hosseini's "Thousand Splendid Suns" or Anita Diamant's "Red Tent."
While I really liked "The Linnet Bird", I found the prostitution scenes bordering on vulgar, and at times the heroine was a little on the overly melodramatic side.
"Moonlit Cage" shows a more mature approach to character development, and a more patient, controlled use of the storyline. However, the final five pages seemed ridiculously rushed.
Regardless, I still recommend both books, and I think "The Moonlit Cage" would be a great book for discussion, particularly if you've enjoyed works like Khaled Hosseini's "Thousand Splendid Suns" or Anita Diamant's "Red Tent."
November 28, 2008
It started out so well! However I thought the ending was rather disappointing, almost like a whole different author decided to conclude the wonderful story. Overall, a great novel - worth the time.
April 15, 2010
This was a page turning fantastic read! I would recommend it strongly if you like a heartwarming tale of one woman's strength and courage living in a very difficult time and country.
May 24, 2016
I should preface this review by saying this was the choice of the book club I belong to - so read out of compulsion rather than desire.
And I know you should never judge etc etc, but the cover was pretty appalling.
Nevertheless when I began reading The Moonlit Cage, it showed at least some promise.
It was well-researched - although it wears that heavily at times - and not badly written.
It did explore some cultures - a Tajik community in an Afghan village, and a nomadic tribe - that were intriguing.
But problems began to emerge as the 520 (count them) pages passed.
The characterisation is often poor - the main protagonist Darya is almost too saintly, while the villains are painted with little nuance. That actually makes the drama less engaging, and in fact perversely it made me care less. Everything too black and white.
Whole paragraphs appeared there only to show off the research - a long description of a kind of a game involving a goat may have been authentic, but it was completely unnecessary.
The prose is pretty flat too, with a failure to capture place or atmosphere.
And I was intrigued by Linda Holeman's psychology - she seems to want to subject Darya to a relentless diet of torture - sexual and mental - at the hands of a series of men. It all becomes a little relentless.
But the unforgiveable sins are in the final section when Darya falls in love and makes it to England. The teenage swooning over her love interest undercuts the character's independence and strength.
I wouldn't mind if the object of her love was particularly worthy - but if you do read it - ask yourself why he doesn't come to her aid much sooner, and reflect on the appalling moment where instead of helping her, he describes her as a "whore".
And any hope that a female character would use her own agency, intelligence and determination to free herself is cast aside, as she becomes just another woman in fiction who needs to be rescued by a man.
In fact the final 100 pages made me so angry, I considered only awarding The Moonlit Cage one star, but to be fair it is only when it gets to England that it really loses the plot.
I have seen plenty of decent reviews for this and other books by Linda Holeman on Goodreads, so perhaps it's just me, but in the end The Moonlit Cage flares briefly, before becoming hugely disappointing.
And I know you should never judge etc etc, but the cover was pretty appalling.
Nevertheless when I began reading The Moonlit Cage, it showed at least some promise.
It was well-researched - although it wears that heavily at times - and not badly written.
It did explore some cultures - a Tajik community in an Afghan village, and a nomadic tribe - that were intriguing.
But problems began to emerge as the 520 (count them) pages passed.
The characterisation is often poor - the main protagonist Darya is almost too saintly, while the villains are painted with little nuance. That actually makes the drama less engaging, and in fact perversely it made me care less. Everything too black and white.
Whole paragraphs appeared there only to show off the research - a long description of a kind of a game involving a goat may have been authentic, but it was completely unnecessary.
The prose is pretty flat too, with a failure to capture place or atmosphere.
And I was intrigued by Linda Holeman's psychology - she seems to want to subject Darya to a relentless diet of torture - sexual and mental - at the hands of a series of men. It all becomes a little relentless.
But the unforgiveable sins are in the final section when Darya falls in love and makes it to England. The teenage swooning over her love interest undercuts the character's independence and strength.
I wouldn't mind if the object of her love was particularly worthy - but if you do read it - ask yourself why he doesn't come to her aid much sooner, and reflect on the appalling moment where instead of helping her, he describes her as a "whore".
And any hope that a female character would use her own agency, intelligence and determination to free herself is cast aside, as she becomes just another woman in fiction who needs to be rescued by a man.
In fact the final 100 pages made me so angry, I considered only awarding The Moonlit Cage one star, but to be fair it is only when it gets to England that it really loses the plot.
I have seen plenty of decent reviews for this and other books by Linda Holeman on Goodreads, so perhaps it's just me, but in the end The Moonlit Cage flares briefly, before becoming hugely disappointing.
September 28, 2017
This was my favourite of all the Linda Holeman books I have read so far.
I found it fascinating to learn about the history of Afghanistan, a country I don't know much about.
I enjoyed the exciting story of Darya, a Muslim Tajik woman struggling to endure her arranged marriage but wanting more of life. She is intelligent and outspoken in a time when women have hardly any rights. Her strength and outspokenness gets her into trouble again and again but is also key to her surviving her circumstances.
When she meets the strange Englishman David Ingram, she begins an exciting journey to India and then to Victorian England.
This was the kind of book I didn't want to end and I felt sad when I had to say goodbye to the characters.
I found it fascinating to learn about the history of Afghanistan, a country I don't know much about.
I enjoyed the exciting story of Darya, a Muslim Tajik woman struggling to endure her arranged marriage but wanting more of life. She is intelligent and outspoken in a time when women have hardly any rights. Her strength and outspokenness gets her into trouble again and again but is also key to her surviving her circumstances.
When she meets the strange Englishman David Ingram, she begins an exciting journey to India and then to Victorian England.
This was the kind of book I didn't want to end and I felt sad when I had to say goodbye to the characters.
October 2, 2021
What an incredible adventure this book was!
Beginning in 19th century Afghanistan, Darya is not like other girls her age and of her culture. Although she plays the part (she has no choice), her narrative is filled with inquisitiveness of her situation, women’s place in society and her desire to break free and have sovereignty over herself.
Darya’s journey leads her into the darkness of curses, abuse, despair over fertility, grief and frustration. We get to be by her side as her strength astonishes herself and those around her leading to a life she could never have imagined.
Beginning in 19th century Afghanistan, Darya is not like other girls her age and of her culture. Although she plays the part (she has no choice), her narrative is filled with inquisitiveness of her situation, women’s place in society and her desire to break free and have sovereignty over herself.
Darya’s journey leads her into the darkness of curses, abuse, despair over fertility, grief and frustration. We get to be by her side as her strength astonishes herself and those around her leading to a life she could never have imagined.
August 19, 2015
While I give this book 5 stars, I feel ambivalent about the ending. Though the book is rich with descriptions of scenery, emotions, and characters, the protagonist (despite her "power"), remains disappointingly dependent on men to determine her fate. I realize that some of that is cultural and some just the time and setting, but she is supposed to be a woman of unusual spunk and strength. I enjoyed it! Thanks, again, nehocs!
March 9, 2015
I was fascinated by the setting, time frame and main character in this story. Specifically how Darya thought, her beliefs, and her internal struggle with those beliefs as she made life altering decisions in a quest for safety and freedom. It is a long book, but I zoomed through it, could not stop turning the pages.
April 1, 2008
Love this author! Can't wait for her next book.
January 12, 2010
Incredibly disappointing ending - made me want to throw the book across the room.
Not particularly well written.
Not particularly well written.
July 21, 2012
One of my favorite books!
August 20, 2022
Echt een prachtig en meeslepend verhaal, ik kon het niet aan de kant leggen. Hoofdpersoon Darya reist door diverse landen, culturen, talen en religies, heel boeiend om als lezer met haar mee te kijken en leren. Ze maakt veel mee zonder dat het onrealistisch wordt. En erg goed geschreven.
August 12, 2011
This story is set in the mid 1800s in Afghanistan, India and England. Darya is born a Muslim Tajik in Afghanistan. She is taught to be obedient and know her place in life (women are seen as little more than slaves). She does try but is curious and intelligent and consequently is continually physically abused by her father. Her father's second wife curses her and her life might as well be over as the village shuns her and she has no prospects whatsoever.
Her father sells her into marriage with a nomad. When Darya fails to provide him with an heir, he also starts to abuse her and finally forces her to run away in fear of her life.
This starts a very perilous journey from Afghanistan to Bombay and then further to England and more abuse.
This was such a sad story. The difference and segregation between the natives and the English colonists is frankly disgusting but common for that period. The naivety of the hero and his supposed good deeds is just so sad. The fact that there are people so willing to take advantage of unfortunates is also sad and has not changed throughout the centuries.
I found this book a little slow to begin with but once the reader gets into the book it is very hard to put down. I wanted to applaud Darya for her courage and strength and had to read to the very end hoping she would finally achieve a better life.
Her father sells her into marriage with a nomad. When Darya fails to provide him with an heir, he also starts to abuse her and finally forces her to run away in fear of her life.
This starts a very perilous journey from Afghanistan to Bombay and then further to England and more abuse.
This was such a sad story. The difference and segregation between the natives and the English colonists is frankly disgusting but common for that period. The naivety of the hero and his supposed good deeds is just so sad. The fact that there are people so willing to take advantage of unfortunates is also sad and has not changed throughout the centuries.
I found this book a little slow to begin with but once the reader gets into the book it is very hard to put down. I wanted to applaud Darya for her courage and strength and had to read to the very end hoping she would finally achieve a better life.
September 18, 2009
Wonderful story. I could not put it down. Darya is an Afghani girl and the book follows her life from childhood with an abusive father to a marriage with an abusive man and then her slavery to an abusive Englishman. Note I have used the word abusive 3 times. I gave this engrossing book only 4 stars instead of 5 because there is not a moment of happiness or pleasure in this young girls life until page 475. How many beatings and degradations can a woman really handle? Truly, a heart wrenching tale. I was on the edge of my seat wondering who was going to beat her next and what country she was going to flee to this time. Very admirable how the character still rises above it all and spreads her wings so to speak tho. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story about a blunt, head strong, strong minded woman, but caution to those who cannot handle abuse. There are moments you want to throw the book into the television in anger.
September 21, 2011
I am adding Linda Holeman to my list of favorite authors! Once again, she took me on an ride through India, Afghanistan and England. As in The Linnet Bird the ride was not always a pleasant and scenic. But it was real. I loved the main character Darya! Her journey from the beginning to end was one that was fraught with many challenges- including a curse! Yet she always believed that she was destined for more.
The return of some characters from The Linnet Bird made The Moonlit Cage: A Novel a satisfying sequel.
The return of some characters from The Linnet Bird made The Moonlit Cage: A Novel a satisfying sequel.
June 12, 2012
This book kept me completely involved until Darya moved in with Mr. Bull.
I found this part slow and horrible. I was continuously waiting for David Ingram to come and rescue her. Her time there was dragged out too long. When she finally is rescued by David, the ending is rushed right along. After living through her misery for so long with Mr.Bull, I really needed and wanted to hear of more good times, love, and their marriage with David to get rid of all those terrible pages I read before.
Her life was so long, living with her each day and then the ending was short-formed up to nothing.
I found this part slow and horrible. I was continuously waiting for David Ingram to come and rescue her. Her time there was dragged out too long. When she finally is rescued by David, the ending is rushed right along. After living through her misery for so long with Mr.Bull, I really needed and wanted to hear of more good times, love, and their marriage with David to get rid of all those terrible pages I read before.
Her life was so long, living with her each day and then the ending was short-formed up to nothing.
March 10, 2008
This was one of those unexpectedly good books, the sort that come along every fifty or so, and I couldn't put it down. It was downright raw at times, and I wouldn't have let my poor heroine suffer quite so much, but life IS like that. Set in Afghanistan during the Victorian times, it's a real insight into life as a woman growing up in that patriarchal society, and how she finally moves to freedom, of sorts. WONDERFUL.
September 6, 2009
This is one of the best books that I have ever read. Completely engrossing, well written and with characters that are so real and that you grow to love. The Moonlit Cage captured my imagination night after night, and it was a journey I will not soon forget. I can't wait to get my hands on "The Linnet Bird" and wait expectantly for her next novel. Very highly recommend.
September 24, 2009
Loved it!!! Absolutely could not put it down. A cross between Kite Runner and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Great story. Couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Would love to be able to discuss with others who have read it too. Learned a lot about the life of an Afghan woman in the context of a fabulous story.
January 7, 2009
pretty, thoughtful book. ending was a little cheesy. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Afganistan.
January 18, 2011
Incredible.
June 21, 2013
I loved this book until close to the end. Then it got a little dicey. I would have given it 4 starts until the last section.
January 30, 2016
Books like 'The Moonlit Cage' are something quite extraordinary. The book is narrated by Darya, a young Muslim woman from Afghanistan who opens the first pages of the story by talking briefly about how she is considered wicked due to her character and life choices. She leaves the reader with the question, "Am I truly wicked?" before beginning, a question which she asks the reader in the final pages once she has given her life account.
We are taken back in time to when Darya is a child, the scene set, her character clearly understood and her family's troubles vividly explained. The narrative captures perfectly how we are seeing things from the eyes of child Darya, her naivety, stubbornness and curiosity highlighted. As the story progresses, we grow to learn more about the inner mind of Darya, of how it was shaped by her Grandmother's exotic stories of lands far beyond their own and of how she too has the power to do so much more with her life than what is planned.
Leaving the child Darya behind, we then are introduced to the second part of the story where we meet Darya as a young woman. Being married off into a nomad family, she is disregarded and treated badly by her husband whilst suppressing who she truly is to be someone who she is expected to be. In a sudden turn of events, Darya's life becomes endangered. Finally giving in to her urge to survive and live, she runs away from the only life she has ever known.
Starving and filthy from hiding in the woods for days, Darya once again musters the courage and begs a young man for help. Much to her surprise, he obliges and helps her on a journey towards lands unknown, far away from her home and her family. The true nature of this man gradually becomes clearer and strangely, Darya soon feels a certain kinship with him, something that progresses into something else over time...but that in itself brings about a new challenge and heart ache which Darya never expected to experience.
Whilst reading Darya's story, there is a lot of in depth research which the writer has clearly done in order to capture the likeness of Afghanistan in the 1850's. A lot of the inequality between men and women, the treatment of women in general and the role that each person plays in a marriage is explained clearly through Darya. The social standings between various races and types of people is also described clearly via Darya. Although she obliges by the rules as she is expected to, there is a rebellious side to her which questions the world she has been brought up in and this is the side of her which gives her the power to change her fate.
I thought the beginning was quite intense as the reader is immediately thrown into this world where women are treated like they are worthless and some parts were difficult to read due to the vivid way in which they had been described, but over all, the entire story I found was both incredibly moving and very inspiring. Darya is such a colourful and interesting character, her story makes you turn pages rapidly. Highly recommend it to those of you who enjoyed reading books such as 'The Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'.
We are taken back in time to when Darya is a child, the scene set, her character clearly understood and her family's troubles vividly explained. The narrative captures perfectly how we are seeing things from the eyes of child Darya, her naivety, stubbornness and curiosity highlighted. As the story progresses, we grow to learn more about the inner mind of Darya, of how it was shaped by her Grandmother's exotic stories of lands far beyond their own and of how she too has the power to do so much more with her life than what is planned.
Leaving the child Darya behind, we then are introduced to the second part of the story where we meet Darya as a young woman. Being married off into a nomad family, she is disregarded and treated badly by her husband whilst suppressing who she truly is to be someone who she is expected to be. In a sudden turn of events, Darya's life becomes endangered. Finally giving in to her urge to survive and live, she runs away from the only life she has ever known.
Starving and filthy from hiding in the woods for days, Darya once again musters the courage and begs a young man for help. Much to her surprise, he obliges and helps her on a journey towards lands unknown, far away from her home and her family. The true nature of this man gradually becomes clearer and strangely, Darya soon feels a certain kinship with him, something that progresses into something else over time...but that in itself brings about a new challenge and heart ache which Darya never expected to experience.
Whilst reading Darya's story, there is a lot of in depth research which the writer has clearly done in order to capture the likeness of Afghanistan in the 1850's. A lot of the inequality between men and women, the treatment of women in general and the role that each person plays in a marriage is explained clearly through Darya. The social standings between various races and types of people is also described clearly via Darya. Although she obliges by the rules as she is expected to, there is a rebellious side to her which questions the world she has been brought up in and this is the side of her which gives her the power to change her fate.
I thought the beginning was quite intense as the reader is immediately thrown into this world where women are treated like they are worthless and some parts were difficult to read due to the vivid way in which they had been described, but over all, the entire story I found was both incredibly moving and very inspiring. Darya is such a colourful and interesting character, her story makes you turn pages rapidly. Highly recommend it to those of you who enjoyed reading books such as 'The Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'.
September 25, 2009
What an emotional journey this book takes you on. The protagonist is Daryâ, an Afghan girl who begins her tale by saying she has always been told she was wicked. She is not a meek, obedient girl -- she is inquisitive and stubborn. She has an excellent voice and her description of her experiences is very evocative. I loved her descriptions of the landscapes she passed through and the scenes of quiet domesticity. But her life is rather tough in places and downright harrowing in others -- her time with Osric Bull toward the end of the book prompted horror and outrage on my part. I couldn't read fast enough to get away from his depravity and wickedness, taking advantage of a woman because she has no other choice. By this point (which is pretty close to the end) I had become so emotionally invested in Daryâ that it made me cry to think that Osric had gotten the better of her. Fortunately, her strength and a fortuitous rescue pull her through. Yay!
Actually, this book is an important reminder for women in more affluent societies that not so long ago things were not very good for our sex. Imagine being treated as a man's possession, good only for producingchildren sons and not being able to fend for yourself, not even being able to travel unaccompanied by a man. The men in this book were jerks for the most part, except for Kaled and David. Oh and Govind. Kaled was great. He was wise and reasonable, while his son, the man Daryâ is married to (it's an arranged match), is a second son who feels inferior and takes it out on his wife. She's his third wife, he's never had kids, and he blames her. Sure she has a curse of childlessness put on her by her dad's second wife, but you have to think that hubby can bear some of the blame for the lack of children. Well, he can't think that, but the reader certainly can.
In any case, if you enjoy gripping personal stories, strong female characters who face tough choices, literature set in Victorian times, and evocative description, pick this book up.
Actually, this book is an important reminder for women in more affluent societies that not so long ago things were not very good for our sex. Imagine being treated as a man's possession, good only for producing
In any case, if you enjoy gripping personal stories, strong female characters who face tough choices, literature set in Victorian times, and evocative description, pick this book up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2009
This novel provided me with an understanding of Afghanistan and India and the life of women, arranged marriages and culture from the 1850s. I enjoyed watching the protagonist, Darya, survive in a multitude of situations, mainly beyond her control, and journey into womanhood.
Coincidentally I had also borrowed the movie "Charlie Wilson's War" and it was about current-day USA efforts in Afghanistan. Not to spoil the movie so I will use basic thoughts here, however, the lack of follow-through on the part of the United States for providing for an educated future for the country is telling of the current situation.
Both the novel and movie provided me with some basic knowledge for me about Afghanistan as well as some of its history and political issues.
---
Novel Summary from Kitchener Public Library
Moving swiftly between the tents of the Afghan plains to the tropical mansions of India to the dirty streets of London, this is a beautifully written novel about a 19th-century woman who, cursed by a jealous tribeswoman, travels to Victorian England in her desperate quest for survival.
Movie Summary from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/p...
In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight of the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahideen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow. Written by Kenneth Chisholm
Coincidentally I had also borrowed the movie "Charlie Wilson's War" and it was about current-day USA efforts in Afghanistan. Not to spoil the movie so I will use basic thoughts here, however, the lack of follow-through on the part of the United States for providing for an educated future for the country is telling of the current situation.
Both the novel and movie provided me with some basic knowledge for me about Afghanistan as well as some of its history and political issues.
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Novel Summary from Kitchener Public Library
Moving swiftly between the tents of the Afghan plains to the tropical mansions of India to the dirty streets of London, this is a beautifully written novel about a 19th-century woman who, cursed by a jealous tribeswoman, travels to Victorian England in her desperate quest for survival.
Movie Summary from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/p...
In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight of the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahideen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow. Written by Kenneth Chisholm
February 26, 2014
The first line of "The Moonlit Cage," was the reason I picked up this book.
It reads, "Ï have always been told I was wicked." These few words drew me in for multiple reasons but if I thought this story was about Darya's wickedness, I would have been quite wrong. Yes, there is wickedness in this book. There are the contrasts of love and hate and there is much about the strangeness, diversity, and sometimes inexplicable practises of cultures a world away from our own.
Written in 1856, Darya's story brings another era into the intrigue.One cannot help but admire the strength of character and determination in Darya as she is forced to leave an abusive husband and survive in completely unknown landscape.......both physically and emotionally.
Her journey towards freedom compels Darya to put her trust in a foreign stranger and in doing so, discovers that her heart is no longer her own. Nothing goes easy for her as she attempts to find her place in the world.
This will definitely not be the only Linda Holeman book I read.
It reads, "Ï have always been told I was wicked." These few words drew me in for multiple reasons but if I thought this story was about Darya's wickedness, I would have been quite wrong. Yes, there is wickedness in this book. There are the contrasts of love and hate and there is much about the strangeness, diversity, and sometimes inexplicable practises of cultures a world away from our own.
Written in 1856, Darya's story brings another era into the intrigue.One cannot help but admire the strength of character and determination in Darya as she is forced to leave an abusive husband and survive in completely unknown landscape.......both physically and emotionally.
Her journey towards freedom compels Darya to put her trust in a foreign stranger and in doing so, discovers that her heart is no longer her own. Nothing goes easy for her as she attempts to find her place in the world.
This will definitely not be the only Linda Holeman book I read.
March 10, 2021
I started reading the book out of lack for alternatives, randomly picked from a bookshelf, but was immediately captivated by the vivid writing style, the setting in Afghanistan and the strong characters.
I would have rated the book with five stars until 100 pages before the end. While the first 500 pages were convincing and the actions of characters were well placed, for me the last scenes in London were both out of the blue and not convincing. This was topped by a sudden end which made me feel like the author suddenly wanted to finish.
Now I am left with a book that I very much loved at times but now don’t know if I should recommend it to friends.
I would have rated the book with five stars until 100 pages before the end. While the first 500 pages were convincing and the actions of characters were well placed, for me the last scenes in London were both out of the blue and not convincing. This was topped by a sudden end which made me feel like the author suddenly wanted to finish.
Now I am left with a book that I very much loved at times but now don’t know if I should recommend it to friends.
November 1, 2009
So much sadness
This is a very well written book,however there is so much sadness in this book that it makes you wonder if this author is as sad. The character in this book is very strong young lady. She has to deal with so much pain and sorrow and shame,it is a wonder she could still hold her head up after it was all said and done. If you are looking for a happy book this is not the one to read. However, it will make you hope things will get better for the young lady. One cannot help but admire this young lady's strength and stamina and her tenacity to get away to a better place.
July 16, 2014
When I picked this one up, I didn't realize it was a follow up of sorts to The Linnet Bird, so that was a nice surprise. Both books have their unsavory characters, strong female characters, and period details that are interesting. I liked both books, but I think I like this one better. I enjoyed following Darya on her journey, even if it was frustrating how she was limited by the time period and cultures. But I still appreciated a peek at life in these various communities in the 1840s-1850s and I really enjoyed the book.
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