I'll be honest. I wouldn't have picked up this book, much less bought it, if I hadn't heard the author speak at an author event a few months ago.
I am SO glad I bought it! What an eye-opening story of women's lives in Afghanistan, both now, and a century ago.
The story sucks you in right away, making you cheer for these Afghan women who dare to think for themselves, dare to dream of a life much better than what is handed to them (or what men and society deem they are worthy of.)
This is the authors first book. I will definitely read her other novel. ( )

This book took me a long time to read. Because of the barbaric treatment of women I just couldn't get into it without reservation. The twin stories were interesting and worthy but it was a bit shocking. Read for my work book club. ( )

Reading this novel was an unusual experience in that it was a fascinating, but at the same time,a very painful and disturbing read. I would go as far as to say this was a real page turner. It focused on two different Afghani women. One living at the beginning of the 20th century and the other at the beginning of the 21st. I was always wondering what would happen next. But sadly most of the time it was just a case of their lives deteriorating further and further. The saddest and most painful aspect of this novel was that women living in modern day Afghanistan really have it no better than the women living centuries ago. The book ends with a glimmer of hope, but the overall message of the book left me wondering if the men of Afghanistan will ever realize the injustices they commit against their women ? ( )

If you like the writing of Hosseini (Kite Runner) or Laahiri (The Namesake), I would highly recommend The Pearl That Broke Its Shell. Also, if you liked the structure of Orphan Train, I think this book could also be for you.
The story is set in Afghanistan and relates the story of two women: one set in the present day (Rahima's story) and then the story of the great great grandmother (Shekiba) of the main protagonist. Both are tales of oppression and elaborate on the lack of freedom women had in Afghanistan and the challenges of living in a country where women are seen as the people who clean, cook, and bear sons and of little more use than that. The book is pretty plot driven and a fast read. Both stories are compelling, and they are told in alternating sections, so you are always looking forward to finding out what will happen next to both characters. My only real criticism is that the stories were almost overly parallel in certain regards. That was a purposeful writing choice, but in the past I have not been enamored with books that go back and forth between different generations of family, and honestly, I still don't love the idea of it and how it tends to play out. The author wants to tie the stories together so that there is a reason for relating the tale that way, but I find it a little contrived. But all in all, I think a lot of people would truly enjoy this fast paced, culturally interesting read. I had trouble putting it down. ( )

Dual timeline story of two women living a century apart in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 2007, Rahima is the third of five daughters. She is allowed to temporarily live as a male due to her family’s circumstances. In 1900-1919, Rahima’s great-great grandmother Shekiba survives a cholera outbreak that destroys her family. She becomes a guard to the Emir’s harem and is allowed to dress as a man. These male roles do not keep them from arranged marriages at a young age, where they suffer domestic abuse by their husbands and other relatives. Each woman attempts to forge her own path in an environment in which freedoms for women are severely restricted. These women suffer hardship after hardship. The early chapters are pretty grim. Fortunately, each story contains a ray of hope. The stories are nicely interwoven, and the themes are similar. It highlights the plight of women in this rigid patriarchal society. It is an impressive debut. ( )