Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi

Earth and Ashes

Atiq Rahimi

The casualties of war are many and varied. In this tragic story, conflict has led not only to personal tragedy, but to the possible demise of a whole way of life. The effect of war is simply and starkly portrayed.

Extract
The shopkeeper hands the cup to Yassin and asks , 'Have you come far?'
'From Abqul. My son works in the mine. I am going to see him.'
You keep your eye on the guard's hut.
'It was a bad state of affairs over there, wasn't it?'
Parallels
  • Waiting for an Angel by Helon Habila
  • A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzenitsyn