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Pomegranate & Fig
'The women arrive first, on an afternoon like any other, when Henna is safely enclosed behind her desk at school. They come to start a conversation that is both taboo and a normal part of life. A small, intimate group... precious stones decorate their necks and fingers, the sond, embroidery, on their pantaloons and translucent veils catches the afternoon light. Their eyebrows are groomed into elegant curves. They float on a cloud of perfume to Henna's family home.'
A deeply moving novel about tradition, love, war and the sorrow & hope exile will bring.
Tracing the lives of three young people, Henna, her brother Hamid, and a man who will become her husband, Rahim, this lyrical and evocative story reveals the political entanglements and family dynamics that are heightened and shattered by conflict. Taking us from the streets of Herat in the 1970s, invaded by Soviet forces, to India in the 1980s and then to the suburbs of Sydney, Pomegranate & Fig vividly illuminates the disruption, displacement and tragedy that war unleashes.
Shortlisted for the Richell Prize, this is an unforgettable debut that heralds an exciting new Australian literary voice.
A deeply moving novel about tradition, love, war and the sorrow & hope exile will bring.
Tracing the lives of three young people, Henna, her brother Hamid, and a man who will become her husband, Rahim, this lyrical and evocative story reveals the political entanglements and family dynamics that are heightened and shattered by conflict. Taking us from the streets of Herat in the 1970s, invaded by Soviet forces, to India in the 1980s and then to the suburbs of Sydney, Pomegranate & Fig vividly illuminates the disruption, displacement and tragedy that war unleashes.
Shortlisted for the Richell Prize, this is an unforgettable debut that heralds an exciting new Australian literary voice.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2022
14 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 7, 2022
Richly evocative, poignant and heartfelt - this book is a compelling read. The author’s beautiful writing transports readers to a different universe, plunging them deep in the world of the different characters that inhabit the story. The book conveys the heartbreaking extent of physical and psychological ravages of war without ever getting self-absorbed or overwhelming. This can be an extremely difficult balance to strike, but the author does a brilliant job of letting the story tell itself with striking detail and a subtle sensibility. Bravo on a magnificent debut novel.
Cannot wait to read more of the author’s works! 🤩
Cannot wait to read more of the author’s works! 🤩
June 21, 2022
I came into this book with no real idea of the plot and no knowledge of the history of Afghanistan. Ghani provides an interesting perspective and the history of a country that doesn’t get a lot of attention.
She has a very unique writing style, and lovers of lyrical writing will enjoy it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t engaged with this book at all and found it a chore to get through.
In saying this, I think Ghani gives an important representation and her excellent creativity is obvious throughout the book.
I gave this book 2.5/5 stars and would recommend it to 14+ readers who are interested in politics and war.
She has a very unique writing style, and lovers of lyrical writing will enjoy it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t engaged with this book at all and found it a chore to get through.
In saying this, I think Ghani gives an important representation and her excellent creativity is obvious throughout the book.
I gave this book 2.5/5 stars and would recommend it to 14+ readers who are interested in politics and war.
June 12, 2023
I was sick for the majority of the time that I was reading this book so I was only in the headspace to actually appreciate the beautiful lyricism of the words at the very end. Ghani’s language is so simple yet stunning and she tells such a heartbreaking story. This novel is perfect for fans of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and anyone with an interest in politics and culture.
June 6, 2022
Thank you Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
The old adage that you need to stand in their shoes to understand the plight and desperation rings loudly and true in this compelling read.
The ravages of war and occupation are so well known, the displaced escaping anyway they can.
Afghanistan pre and post 1973 are as different as colour and black and white photos.
Henna is the last unmarried daughter of a well known and respected artist.
A pending marriage to a man she does not know looms.
Educated and inspired to teach she embarks on this journey she is expected to do. Government policy and social fear sounding alarm bells.
Rahim is older and I’d say more wise than most grooms.
The respect he has for his new wife and dedication to his career reflect strong character and integrity.
After the Soviets invade his country and an encounter with secret police he knows he must get his family out.
A journey that starts in India and concludes in Australia, illuminates the struggles of displacement.
The author gives the reader a comfortable view of the horrors the country has endured and visibility of heart wrenching family separations.
Zaheda has made an impressive debut and makes the ordinary people of the country tangible and humanises scenes we see on our tv screens.
I enjoyed this and the post script short story that inspired the book.
The old adage that you need to stand in their shoes to understand the plight and desperation rings loudly and true in this compelling read.
The ravages of war and occupation are so well known, the displaced escaping anyway they can.
Afghanistan pre and post 1973 are as different as colour and black and white photos.
Henna is the last unmarried daughter of a well known and respected artist.
A pending marriage to a man she does not know looms.
Educated and inspired to teach she embarks on this journey she is expected to do. Government policy and social fear sounding alarm bells.
Rahim is older and I’d say more wise than most grooms.
The respect he has for his new wife and dedication to his career reflect strong character and integrity.
After the Soviets invade his country and an encounter with secret police he knows he must get his family out.
A journey that starts in India and concludes in Australia, illuminates the struggles of displacement.
The author gives the reader a comfortable view of the horrors the country has endured and visibility of heart wrenching family separations.
Zaheda has made an impressive debut and makes the ordinary people of the country tangible and humanises scenes we see on our tv screens.
I enjoyed this and the post script short story that inspired the book.
July 8, 2023
An Afghan refugee story which begins in the happy family life of Henna, and Rahim. As they are matched for marriage, and their engagement begins, the tension in Herat starts to rise.
From a sweet love story of Henna and Rahim, as they get to know each other, to the arrival of their first child, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan changes everything in their world. Suddenly the streets are not safe, bomb shelters are needed, and acquaintances cannot be trusted as they once were. When Rahim is captured one day, the fear is too real for both of them.
Deciding to flee once Rahim is miraculously released, the heartbreak of leaving both their families is immense. Fleeing on a change work pathway, they find themselves in Delhi.
Danger seems to follow them, as the fear from the streets of home never leave them - unrest shakes them again in this new city. The need to relocate again, knowing they cannot go home, propells them to Sydney for a new life.
Based on the author's own memories and her family's story and journey to Australia, this is told vividly, poetically at time, as is the language of home, and with such tenderness. An unforgettable story of the plight of refugees.
From a sweet love story of Henna and Rahim, as they get to know each other, to the arrival of their first child, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan changes everything in their world. Suddenly the streets are not safe, bomb shelters are needed, and acquaintances cannot be trusted as they once were. When Rahim is captured one day, the fear is too real for both of them.
Deciding to flee once Rahim is miraculously released, the heartbreak of leaving both their families is immense. Fleeing on a change work pathway, they find themselves in Delhi.
Danger seems to follow them, as the fear from the streets of home never leave them - unrest shakes them again in this new city. The need to relocate again, knowing they cannot go home, propells them to Sydney for a new life.
Based on the author's own memories and her family's story and journey to Australia, this is told vividly, poetically at time, as is the language of home, and with such tenderness. An unforgettable story of the plight of refugees.
July 2, 2022
Zaheda Ghana's writing is straightforward and direct, yet subtle with just a bit of the magical about it. These people and their lives are portrayed so evocatively, which makes the political travails, hardships and humiliations they endure later all the more real. At times deeply sentimental - the way the pomegranates tasted - what’s striking is the insight into the human experience that shines through every page of this story. I raced through it right to the end, a beautiful wonderful book.
February 18, 2023
The story chronicles the experiences of Henna, her husband Rahim, and her brother Hamid as they flee war-torn Afghanistan. The tale is narrated from the perspectives of all three characters, adding a unique dimension to the story by enabling readers to better comprehend their emotions and thoughts in various situations.
Henna and her family journey to India before eventually relocating to Australia, while Hamid seeks refuge in Iran. Along the way, the main characters encounter numerous challenges, heartbreaks, and life-altering events.
Despite its heartwarming and poignant moments, the book serves as a stark reminder of the painful reality that politics and war can bring about. Reading it left me feeling grateful for my own safety and health, yet deeply saddened by the difficulties and suffering that refugees and their families must endure. The inclusion of Afghani phrases throughout the story adds a personal and powerful touch to the narrative.
Henna and her family journey to India before eventually relocating to Australia, while Hamid seeks refuge in Iran. Along the way, the main characters encounter numerous challenges, heartbreaks, and life-altering events.
Despite its heartwarming and poignant moments, the book serves as a stark reminder of the painful reality that politics and war can bring about. Reading it left me feeling grateful for my own safety and health, yet deeply saddened by the difficulties and suffering that refugees and their families must endure. The inclusion of Afghani phrases throughout the story adds a personal and powerful touch to the narrative.
October 25, 2022
I found this book massively disappointing. The story is vague and somewhat innocuous.
A wealthy family has to flee Afghanistan after the Russians invade.
I found the writing to be clumsy, vague, and lacking a consistent flow.
It was difficult for me to like or relate to any of the characters.
Whilst reading, I felt I was just watching an old ‘B’ grade movie in black and white.
A wealthy family has to flee Afghanistan after the Russians invade.
I found the writing to be clumsy, vague, and lacking a consistent flow.
It was difficult for me to like or relate to any of the characters.
Whilst reading, I felt I was just watching an old ‘B’ grade movie in black and white.
December 13, 2022
“𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒, 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃, 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓈𝒶𝒸𝓇𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉”
ghani’s writing is stunning. though i do not feel compelled or thoroughly moved by this book, i can appreciate how this story beautifully illustrates hope, through simple symbols can be found throughout henna and rahim’s childhood. the writing is lyrical and simple, though can be and was stripped and interrogated in ways to further conversations regarding the war in afghanistan. it’s subtly moved between being powerful and annoying, in terms of a lack development regarding the political system of the country, but powerful as it described sequences of unease with a placidness that was very disturbing, yet equally thought provoking.
futhermore, i loved how the story was conveyed from all three points of views. placed into an arranged marriage, henna and rahims story plays out in similar fashion to that of ashoke and ashima’s marriage in ‘the namesake’. i draw comparisons between the two due to the cultural difference between asian or middle eastern marriages as a contrast to that of a western one, where i was yet again challenged into how love displays itself in different relationships. their bond develops as time passes, thrusted into unimaginable decisions to prioritise the safety of their child. henna and rahims love for one another circles more around a dependency the two have on one another, which is equally sad yet beautiful. particularly towards the end, i was really enraptured with the unity the two had formed, coming from very opposing, individual intentions for life to something that made room for each other too 🥰.
and when i say individual and opposing, i mean that henna and rahmid are initially very career conscious, and unwanting of a marriage. but this changes through time, and the two encouraged each other in little ways throughout, which honestly made my heart warm and fuzzy.
hamid’s perspective gut wrenching. thinking back, my heart breaks for his vulnerability and love for his sister, which stretched across the globe and resides constantly within. i don’t think he added much to the story other than a fond relative of henna’s and an example of someone physically affected by war, and how that pushed him away from his safety nets. i hope he’s ok. i would have loved a definitive ending for him, as he was just gorgeous.
what i didn’t like about the writing style was the punctuation. it’s astonishing as to how aware i have become of editorial choices such as commas and semicolons, and how they absolutely have the power to manipulate the way we read text. i thought, particularly, there were commas in odd places, which affected the musicality behind ghani’s words. but where i did like the commas was when there was an integration of afghani words that were then followed by their definition, which was done cleverly.
i wish i was able to come into this book with more understanding about afghanistan’s political systems around this time. it is shyly explored so that you aren’t in total confusion while reading, but as someone who loves global affairs and political systems/history, i would have loved to have seen with a closer lense how everything unravelled. i think time establishing henna and rahims arranged marriage could have been shaved off for this purpose, and it wouldn’t have taken away anything from their relationship. especially because the war is so sentimental in terms of how their lives changed from that point on, and i think it could’ve created a for-boarding that gets the reader more invested with the family and their choices for survival.
pomegranate and figs are symbolic of fertility, which i take more as a testament to growth and rebirth rather than pregnancy. whilst, of course, the expansion of henna and rahims family is prominent, i view it in this way as while the characters are physically removing themselves from their home, where they’ve grown up, they’re doing for a safer life, whilst still retaining the remnants of their home. much like giving birth to a baby, the baby has been nestled within the womb for months, and once their born they age during life, but are always connected back to their mother, whether it be positive or negative. their prosperous fruits which sweetness provide a comfort for what seems lost, but something that be lived without.
at times i was getting bored, which is one of the reasons why this book was not a 4 star read for me. i would definitely recommend this though, as it’s poignancy is something to be cherish and thoroughly considered.n
ghani’s writing is stunning. though i do not feel compelled or thoroughly moved by this book, i can appreciate how this story beautifully illustrates hope, through simple symbols can be found throughout henna and rahim’s childhood. the writing is lyrical and simple, though can be and was stripped and interrogated in ways to further conversations regarding the war in afghanistan. it’s subtly moved between being powerful and annoying, in terms of a lack development regarding the political system of the country, but powerful as it described sequences of unease with a placidness that was very disturbing, yet equally thought provoking.
futhermore, i loved how the story was conveyed from all three points of views. placed into an arranged marriage, henna and rahims story plays out in similar fashion to that of ashoke and ashima’s marriage in ‘the namesake’. i draw comparisons between the two due to the cultural difference between asian or middle eastern marriages as a contrast to that of a western one, where i was yet again challenged into how love displays itself in different relationships. their bond develops as time passes, thrusted into unimaginable decisions to prioritise the safety of their child. henna and rahims love for one another circles more around a dependency the two have on one another, which is equally sad yet beautiful. particularly towards the end, i was really enraptured with the unity the two had formed, coming from very opposing, individual intentions for life to something that made room for each other too 🥰.
and when i say individual and opposing, i mean that henna and rahmid are initially very career conscious, and unwanting of a marriage. but this changes through time, and the two encouraged each other in little ways throughout, which honestly made my heart warm and fuzzy.
hamid’s perspective gut wrenching. thinking back, my heart breaks for his vulnerability and love for his sister, which stretched across the globe and resides constantly within. i don’t think he added much to the story other than a fond relative of henna’s and an example of someone physically affected by war, and how that pushed him away from his safety nets. i hope he’s ok. i would have loved a definitive ending for him, as he was just gorgeous.
what i didn’t like about the writing style was the punctuation. it’s astonishing as to how aware i have become of editorial choices such as commas and semicolons, and how they absolutely have the power to manipulate the way we read text. i thought, particularly, there were commas in odd places, which affected the musicality behind ghani’s words. but where i did like the commas was when there was an integration of afghani words that were then followed by their definition, which was done cleverly.
i wish i was able to come into this book with more understanding about afghanistan’s political systems around this time. it is shyly explored so that you aren’t in total confusion while reading, but as someone who loves global affairs and political systems/history, i would have loved to have seen with a closer lense how everything unravelled. i think time establishing henna and rahims arranged marriage could have been shaved off for this purpose, and it wouldn’t have taken away anything from their relationship. especially because the war is so sentimental in terms of how their lives changed from that point on, and i think it could’ve created a for-boarding that gets the reader more invested with the family and their choices for survival.
pomegranate and figs are symbolic of fertility, which i take more as a testament to growth and rebirth rather than pregnancy. whilst, of course, the expansion of henna and rahims family is prominent, i view it in this way as while the characters are physically removing themselves from their home, where they’ve grown up, they’re doing for a safer life, whilst still retaining the remnants of their home. much like giving birth to a baby, the baby has been nestled within the womb for months, and once their born they age during life, but are always connected back to their mother, whether it be positive or negative. their prosperous fruits which sweetness provide a comfort for what seems lost, but something that be lived without.
at times i was getting bored, which is one of the reasons why this book was not a 4 star read for me. i would definitely recommend this though, as it’s poignancy is something to be cherish and thoroughly considered.n
July 25, 2024
Much of our awareness of Afghanistan comes from twenty-first century events: the detonation of the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001, the invasion of Afghanistan by U.S. troops after 9/11 and the protests against the presence of Australian troops in such a misguided, downright wrong war, and then the chaotic recapture of Kabul by the Taliban in August 2021. This book takes us even further back to life before the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the rise of the Mujahadeen - a life which, for middle- and upper-class Afghanis could be cultured, intellectual and free from want.
The book focuses on brother and sister Henna and Hamid, and the man who will become Henna's husband, Rahim. The book is divided into three parts: Herat, War and Exile.' Herat' is the 'before' time, as Henna and Rahim marry and have their first child in a steady, middle-class milieu underpinned by family loyalties and devotion to Islam. 'War' brings the assassination of the President, the stirring of the mujahadeen resistance and the invasion of the Soviets. This leads to the third part, Exile, where Hamid flees to Iran where he works at a menial job in a kitchen, and Rahim and Henna leave for India where they gradually move from place to place until they seek asylum in Australia.
The story is told in short alternating chapters, which I always find a bit of a cop-out. Having said that, I have recently read two books with inordinately long chapters and I found those oppressive, and these short chapters were a relief. It is told in the present tense throughout. Although the book's sympathies lie mainly with Henna, I think, it also rounded out the characters of the men in her life. Many books about Middle Eastern Islamic women portray the men in their lives as tyrants, but neither of these men were, although viewed from a distance they may have appeared to be.
No translator is mentioned, so I think that this book must have been written in English. It is simply written, with a poetic lilt. It conveys well a sense of yearning for a disappeared past, and a stoic acceptance of negotiating a new life from a maelstrom of war and political instability. I wonder if I would have such endurance.
For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2024/07/25/...
The book focuses on brother and sister Henna and Hamid, and the man who will become Henna's husband, Rahim. The book is divided into three parts: Herat, War and Exile.' Herat' is the 'before' time, as Henna and Rahim marry and have their first child in a steady, middle-class milieu underpinned by family loyalties and devotion to Islam. 'War' brings the assassination of the President, the stirring of the mujahadeen resistance and the invasion of the Soviets. This leads to the third part, Exile, where Hamid flees to Iran where he works at a menial job in a kitchen, and Rahim and Henna leave for India where they gradually move from place to place until they seek asylum in Australia.
The story is told in short alternating chapters, which I always find a bit of a cop-out. Having said that, I have recently read two books with inordinately long chapters and I found those oppressive, and these short chapters were a relief. It is told in the present tense throughout. Although the book's sympathies lie mainly with Henna, I think, it also rounded out the characters of the men in her life. Many books about Middle Eastern Islamic women portray the men in their lives as tyrants, but neither of these men were, although viewed from a distance they may have appeared to be.
No translator is mentioned, so I think that this book must have been written in English. It is simply written, with a poetic lilt. It conveys well a sense of yearning for a disappeared past, and a stoic acceptance of negotiating a new life from a maelstrom of war and political instability. I wonder if I would have such endurance.
For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2024/07/25/...
August 16, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Pomegranate & Fig / Zaheda Ghani
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“he will wear the scars from the events of this year upon his skin like markings on a map, and every hardship he sees and every happiness he feels will etch more scars and cause him more pain”
Pomegranate & Fig was a truly beautiful and captivating debut novel and I knew I would enjoy it after loving A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Ghani managed to write about war, political unrest and sorrow in such a way that was not harsh but still showed the true effects of a war torn country, whilst highlighting the hope, love and traditions that are so important to our three main characters.
There was one line from the book that I felt truly explained how I felt while reading the book and it was “he was buoyed along, floating on the wings of beauty, the beauty of words”.
I enjoyed the different POV’s between Henna, Hamid and Rahim. Henna and Hamid have always been close as the last two siblings unmarried and living at home. Henna has dreamed of a life of teaching, but she does not have the liberty to choose her path in life. Although Henna did not have a choice in her life partner, it was unique to see how much respect Rahim had for her from the start, and it was nice to see that over time feelings began to blossom between them without either of them really noticing. Love is not easy to give, especially for people in war torn countries or where marriage is not chosen out of love. Some people go through so much sacrifice and torment to give and share love and that’s something I learnt from reading this book ✨
Although being displaced from their home country, Rahim and Henna managed to build a life for themselves in Australia, surrounded by friends who had also fled the country. The ending was equally heartbreaking and beautiful and I recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the works of Khaled Hosseini and Alka Joshi.
Huge thank you to Hachette for kindly gifting me a copy of Zaheda Ghani’s debut novel in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼
Pomegranate & Fig / Zaheda Ghani
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“he will wear the scars from the events of this year upon his skin like markings on a map, and every hardship he sees and every happiness he feels will etch more scars and cause him more pain”
Pomegranate & Fig was a truly beautiful and captivating debut novel and I knew I would enjoy it after loving A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Ghani managed to write about war, political unrest and sorrow in such a way that was not harsh but still showed the true effects of a war torn country, whilst highlighting the hope, love and traditions that are so important to our three main characters.
There was one line from the book that I felt truly explained how I felt while reading the book and it was “he was buoyed along, floating on the wings of beauty, the beauty of words”.
I enjoyed the different POV’s between Henna, Hamid and Rahim. Henna and Hamid have always been close as the last two siblings unmarried and living at home. Henna has dreamed of a life of teaching, but she does not have the liberty to choose her path in life. Although Henna did not have a choice in her life partner, it was unique to see how much respect Rahim had for her from the start, and it was nice to see that over time feelings began to blossom between them without either of them really noticing. Love is not easy to give, especially for people in war torn countries or where marriage is not chosen out of love. Some people go through so much sacrifice and torment to give and share love and that’s something I learnt from reading this book ✨
Although being displaced from their home country, Rahim and Henna managed to build a life for themselves in Australia, surrounded by friends who had also fled the country. The ending was equally heartbreaking and beautiful and I recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the works of Khaled Hosseini and Alka Joshi.
Huge thank you to Hachette for kindly gifting me a copy of Zaheda Ghani’s debut novel in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼
July 23, 2022
A beautiful, heartbreaking, emotional story of what life really is like for some people.
The story follows Henna and her husband Rahim and Henna's brother Hamid. It is told from all three perspectives througout the story and this I found was a great element in understanding character feelings and thoughts better in certain situations.
The MCs are fleeing war torn Afghanistan. Henna and her family to India which then leads them to Australia while Hamid is in Iran. Througout their journey of life we see the MCs deal with hardships, heartbreaks and life changing situations.
This book is very faced paced and I absolutely loved that about it. There was no unnecessary details in between and the story, at no point, dragged on. The writing is very detailed and the use of Afghani phrases througout are really important to me. It makes the story very personal for each character and really helps the reader get an understanding of life for them.
Books like this are so eye opening for me. It's funny how easily we take our life for granted and we don't realise how actually blessed we are to be living the life we have. This is a story but this happens in real life for millions of people and that's heartbreaking!
I had a feeling I'd love this one and I really did. Definitely recommend.
The story follows Henna and her husband Rahim and Henna's brother Hamid. It is told from all three perspectives througout the story and this I found was a great element in understanding character feelings and thoughts better in certain situations.
The MCs are fleeing war torn Afghanistan. Henna and her family to India which then leads them to Australia while Hamid is in Iran. Througout their journey of life we see the MCs deal with hardships, heartbreaks and life changing situations.
This book is very faced paced and I absolutely loved that about it. There was no unnecessary details in between and the story, at no point, dragged on. The writing is very detailed and the use of Afghani phrases througout are really important to me. It makes the story very personal for each character and really helps the reader get an understanding of life for them.
Books like this are so eye opening for me. It's funny how easily we take our life for granted and we don't realise how actually blessed we are to be living the life we have. This is a story but this happens in real life for millions of people and that's heartbreaking!
I had a feeling I'd love this one and I really did. Definitely recommend.
May 30, 2023
A heartfelt and tender book depicting the refugee and exile experience of Afghanis from three different perspectives. Pomegranate and Fig explores tradition and culture, exile and sorrow through such fragile and humane characters.
Pomegranate and Fig is evocative and emotional. Zaheda Ghani’s storytelling is transportive and lyrical. I enjoyed the structure of the book, the beautiful prose and the fictional description on a part of history I had no idea about. Ghani makes big leaps in the timeline of the narrative and omits quotation names which can be confusing to follow. There’s a lot of time spent on Henna and Rahim’s engagement and less time spent on their arrival to Australia; I would have preferred it the other way around. The story can be slow so I struggled to gain momentum despite the short chapters.
Pomegranate and Fig is evocative and emotional. Zaheda Ghani’s storytelling is transportive and lyrical. I enjoyed the structure of the book, the beautiful prose and the fictional description on a part of history I had no idea about. Ghani makes big leaps in the timeline of the narrative and omits quotation names which can be confusing to follow. There’s a lot of time spent on Henna and Rahim’s engagement and less time spent on their arrival to Australia; I would have preferred it the other way around. The story can be slow so I struggled to gain momentum despite the short chapters.
January 10, 2023
Set in Afghanistan prior to and during the Russian invasion of that country. The story is of Henna and Rahim as young people, newly married, facing the trials of that war, exile to India and finally Australia as refugees. The story seems so familiar to anyone who has followed refugees from various countries. There was nothing new in it for this reader. I seem to have read it all before in some form or another. I am drawn to novels from South Asia hoping to feel some of my own experiences there. Whilst the writing in this novel is not at all bad the pace of it left me dragging through it, skipping pages here and there. Having said that, nothing should be taken away from the authors personal experience of the horrors of war.
August 14, 2022
A debut novel by a young Australian author. It is based on lived experience of life of a Muslim family in Afghanistan in the 1970s, then the violence of the Russian invasion. The story is told through the eyes of Henna, her brother Hamid and Henna's husband Rahim.
Henna's marriage is an arranged one and we learn of the customs and practices, the gradual development of a relationship between Henna and Rahim. Political forces conspire forcing then to flee to India and eventually to the suburbs of Sydney.
I found the writing good and the story interesting - without being compelling
Henna's marriage is an arranged one and we learn of the customs and practices, the gradual development of a relationship between Henna and Rahim. Political forces conspire forcing then to flee to India and eventually to the suburbs of Sydney.
I found the writing good and the story interesting - without being compelling
August 16, 2022
Beautiful, lyrical prose. Heartbreaking, tender and hopeful. Downside? The author condenses too much into one novel. After a prolonged proposal and engagement I was looking forward to sharing the newlyweds life and how they adjusted to married life. But Noooo - fast forward one year. I would also like to have lingered in India for longer, and discover more about their beginning in Austalia. Lastly, prefer my novels with speech marks, and can not understand why you would deliberately omit them.
March 6, 2023
“I am a human animal shedding skin. Actually, we are all much smaller than animals, we are flies trapped in a jar, in the middle of a fire we cannot acknowledge.”
Pomegranate & Fig conveys the heartbreaking extent of the physical and psychological ravages of war. The book follows the central characters of Henna, her husband Rahim, and her brother Hamid as they flee war-torn Afghanistan. Henna and her family journey to India before eventually relocating to Australia, while Hamid seeks refuge in Iran. The POV changes for each chapter allowing the reader to put themselves in the characters shoes further emphasizing the plight and desperation each character feels while also celebrating those moments of joy and love in the midst of turmoil.
“for love is so hard to give, takes so much pain, so much sacrifice and torment”
I found Ghani’s writing to be very simple, straightforward and direct. At first I wasn’t a fan, but given the complex subject matter, it was almost as if it created a balance, a bit of subtle magic. If you want to learn more about the struggles of refugees, what its like to lose your home, everything you’ve worked for and built, be treated like less than for seeking safety, and somehow having to find the strength to continue, I think this story did a beautiful job at portraying all of that and more.
Pomegranate & Fig conveys the heartbreaking extent of the physical and psychological ravages of war. The book follows the central characters of Henna, her husband Rahim, and her brother Hamid as they flee war-torn Afghanistan. Henna and her family journey to India before eventually relocating to Australia, while Hamid seeks refuge in Iran. The POV changes for each chapter allowing the reader to put themselves in the characters shoes further emphasizing the plight and desperation each character feels while also celebrating those moments of joy and love in the midst of turmoil.
“for love is so hard to give, takes so much pain, so much sacrifice and torment”
I found Ghani’s writing to be very simple, straightforward and direct. At first I wasn’t a fan, but given the complex subject matter, it was almost as if it created a balance, a bit of subtle magic. If you want to learn more about the struggles of refugees, what its like to lose your home, everything you’ve worked for and built, be treated like less than for seeking safety, and somehow having to find the strength to continue, I think this story did a beautiful job at portraying all of that and more.
April 22, 2023
This is a very interesting book. It depicts the refugee experience from three very different perspectives. It is an experience that isn’t commonly heard in Australia. The author very cleverly depicts the dislocation and alienation that people who are forced to leave their home feel. It is very hard to imagine without prompts such as these stories as it involves emotions and experiences so elemental that we hardly notice them. This creates a kind of emotional blindness that gets in the way of empathy.
Ghani really depicts the sadness that comes from not being home and not able to go home. It is a break that never really heals.
Just a minor quibble, I don’t know how common tv remotes were in the 70s in Australia. But this didn’t really detract from my appreciation of the novel.
Ghani really depicts the sadness that comes from not being home and not able to go home. It is a break that never really heals.
Just a minor quibble, I don’t know how common tv remotes were in the 70s in Australia. But this didn’t really detract from my appreciation of the novel.
August 8, 2022
A fine novel of Afghan refugees and their displacement from their original homes. It is a story of families and the ties they have with their homes. It is also unavoidably told through the religious observance of Muslims. While I at first found it difficult to connect with these religious people and their (to me) idiosyncratic practices, the author gradually drew me into their world. Thank you Ms Ghani.
October 9, 2022
Beautiful, heartbreaking and yet so poignant. This book transported me so vividly to the world that was Afghanistan in the 1970s. Zaheda Ghani captures the effects of a complex political upheaval on the emotions and lives of an ordinary family in striking detail, where the characters grow from within an almost fairytale like world, to meet a reality that is far from it. I can't wait to read more from the author!
December 11, 2022
'He puts the groceries down on the small table in the kitchenette. He sits, puts his hands to his head and lets the sobs come. He cries the way he did when he was a boy. He gasps for air, as waves of grief roll through his body. It was purchasing the groceries that undid him. Once upon a time he didn't have to measure a kilogram of anything, he didn't have to bargain with shop owners. Cartons of fruit and vegetables were brought to the kitchen...'
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December 26, 2022
I wanted to like this more, especially considering it's based on the author's own experience. My biggest critique is that the story seems to lack flow and depth with the way it jumps between which character is in focus. That said, for a story that covers a large period of time and three countries it does well to tie them together. I especially liked the vivid descriptions of the culture and the food, a good debut novel
January 13, 2023
I was interested in the history that underpinned this fiction, in particular the beauty and terror of Herat. The plot skips along quite quickly to span many decades. A lot happens in 280 pages, each chapter a small snapshot of a foreign reality and struggle. There were times when the pace could be slowed and the scenes developed for a more immersive experience, but I appreciate the intent to convey the breadth of human experience in our small time on earth.
August 13, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ An interesting book starting with the story of 3 characters lives in Afghanistan. We then learn of the challenges they face after being forced to flee and live as refugees in both India and then Australia. I think the authors writing was almost poetic and I didn’t dislike it however the short choppy chapters jumped around a bit too much for me. I often found it hard to follow the timeline. I’m glad I read it though as I found it to be eye opening and educational.
July 3, 2022
This is a beautifully written debut novel about life in Afghanistan and then as a refugee. It provides a very person insight into Afghanistan in the late 70s - 80s and I learnt a lot more than I have watching or reading anything else about this country. I look forward to more from this amazing writer - can't believe this is her first book!
November 20, 2022
Argh, I'm so frustrated. I'm somewhere between a 2.5 & 3 stars for this one when hands down it should have been a 5 star read!!! So much potential but instead the story just glossed over everything with no depth at all. Actually to say I'm frustrated is a serious understatement.
Full review to come when I've calmed down.
Full review to come when I've calmed down.
December 4, 2022
The emotions and daily struggles of these three people was heart breaking. Each character was struggling with the consequences of being forced to make unbelievable life changing decisions and their often conflicting acceptance of these decisions.
I felt the power of each individual was described in a very powerful way.
I felt the power of each individual was described in a very powerful way.
January 18, 2023
I wish there were half star ratings so that I could give this book 4.5 out of 5. It took me a while to read it as the writing style is a bit different to what I normally read but it was worth perservering. It has a beautiful, almost sensual narrative through it that is both heartbreaking and showing a strength of characters during a period in history that is full of trauma.
June 24, 2022
The book immediately engages you from the first page.
I found this book very interesting and reflected what I understand of how the war and invasion impacted the people of Afghanistan.
Highly recommend this book!
I found this book very interesting and reflected what I understand of how the war and invasion impacted the people of Afghanistan.
Highly recommend this book!
March 14, 2023
I found this book well written, yet very slow so hence 2 stars.
My heart goes out to all the refugees worldwide, to lose your homeland, to feel so adrift and displaced must be heartbreaking.
Zaheda knows exactly how th a t feels and did a great job getting the pain and anguish through.
My heart goes out to all the refugees worldwide, to lose your homeland, to feel so adrift and displaced must be heartbreaking.
Zaheda knows exactly how th a t feels and did a great job getting the pain and anguish through.
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