khadra - Nan A. Talese
2006 Shortlist

The Swallows of Kabul

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Since the ascendancy of the Taliban the lives of Mosheen and his beautiful wife, Zunaira, have been gradually destroyed. Mosheen’s dream of becoming a diplomat has been shattered and Zunaira can no longer even appear on the streets of Kabul unveiled.  Atiq is a jailer who guards those who have been condemned to death; the darkness of prison and thewretchedness of his job have seeped into his soul.  Atiq’s wife, Musarrat, is suffering from an illness no doctor can cure. The lives of these four people become inexplicably intertwined, through death and imprisonment to passion and extraordinary self-sacrifice. The Swallows of Kabul is an astounding and elegiac novel of four people
struggling to hold on to their humanity in a place where pleasure is a deadly sin and death has become routine.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Yasmina
Khadra

Yasmina Khadra is the author of more than 20 novels, including The Swallows of Kabul and The Attack, both shortlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Khadra’s work has been published in 45 countries. He has twice been honoured by the Académie française, winning both the Médaille de vermeil and Grand Prix de littérature.

Yasmina Khadra is the author of more than 20 novels, including The Swallows of Kabul and The Attack, both shortlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Khadra’s work has been published in 45 countries. He has twice been honoured by the Académie française, winning both the Médaille de vermeil and Grand Prix de littérature.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR John
Cullen

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
05/05/2005
Country
Algeria
Original Language
French
Publisher
Vintage
Translator
John Cullen

RELATED FEATURES

News November 19 2024

2025 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2025 Dublin Literary Award
Video November 1 2024

2024 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

2024 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony with broadcaster Rick O'Shea. Livestreamed from the International Literature Festival Dublin in Merrion Square Park on Thursday 23rd May 2024.
Audio June 11 2024

All About Books Podcast Features the 2024 Dublin Literary Award

Dublin City FM podcaster Katy Conneely spotlights the award.
Video June 5 2024

2024 Winners Mircea Cărtărescu & Sean Cotter in conversation

with Journalist Alex Clarke at the International Literature Festival Dublin.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.