Three Women of Herat: Afghanistan 1973-77

Three Women of Herat is a novel that follows the lives of three women living in Herat, Afghanistan, in 1973, during the reign of the Afghan King. The book provides a rare and privileged insight into the hidden world of Afghan female society and follows the women as they navigate the challenges of living under a strict Islamic regime. The author gained the women's friendship through a fragile peace that followed a period of conflict and separation. The book is praised for its sensitive portrayal of the women and their lives and for its understanding of the customs and rituals of Afghan society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Eland Publishing Ltd

In 1973, Afghanistan was still ruled by a King who resided in a palace in Kabul, accompanied by a court of musicians. Veronica, a young musician married to a scholar, settled in Herat, a city near the Persian frontier with a rich history as the former capital of a vast Central Asian Empire. Veronica was not a casual traveler but someone who sought to make the most of her time in Afghanistan and forge genuine connections with local women. The story unfolds as she forms tentative friendships with these women, providing a rare, profound, and privileged insight into the hidden world of Afghan female society.

However, this book's significance extends beyond its initial narrative. It follows a tumultuous period in Afghanistan's history, including a Communist coup, the Russian invasion, a long guerrilla war of Resistance, and the rise of the Taliban. Veronica found herself separated from her friends, fearing the worst and desperately trying to assist them, while also being aware that contact from a Westerner could be fatal to them.

Fortunately, a fragile peace allowed Veronica to reunite with her friends and continue their stories. The book is a remarkable achievement, reminiscent of a novel, as it vividly portrays the lives of these three women and the author's journey to gain their friendship.

"Three Women of Herat" has received widespread acclaim from critics. Doris Lessing, a renowned author, praised the book, stating that she was fascinated by the story of ordinary life before the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. She described the three women as remarkable and unforgettable, and the author's account of how she gained their friendship as akin to a novel.

The Sunday Times also commended the book, describing it as a sensitive, knowledgeable, and very moving account of an annihilated civilisation. The author's understanding of purdah, the Islamic practice of female seclusion, is particularly noteworthy, as it is described in great detail and provides a valuable insight into the daily rituals and lives of these women.

In conclusion, "Three Women of Herat" is a remarkable work that offers a unique perspective on Afghan society and history. Through the lives of three women and the author's journey to gain their friendship, the book provides a rare and insightful glimpse into the hidden world of Afghan female society. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780601977