Montenegro: A Novel (P.S.)

ThestartlingmemoirofayoungwomanshapedbytwodramaticallydisparateworldsBorninBritain,SairaShahwasinspiredbyherfather'sdazzlingstoriestorediscoverthenowlostlifetheirforebearsknewfor900yearswithinsightoforchards,snow-toppedmountains,andtheminaretsofKabul.ThisisSaira—partsophisticatedandsensitiveWesternliberal,partfearless(evenfierce)life-gulpingAfghan,fallinginlovewithherancestralmyth,chasingAfghanistan.Saira,at21,becomingacorrespondentatthefrontduringthewarbetweentheSovietsandtheAfghanresistance.ThenSaira,self-imprisonedinaburqa,riskingherlifetofilmBeneaththeVeil—heracclaimedrecordofthedevastationofwomen'slivesbytheTaliban.Sairadiscoveringherextendedfamily,discoveringaworldofgorgeousfamilyritual,ofcommunity,ofmaleprimacy,ofarrangedmarriages,findingatlastthe(nowwar-ravaged)familyseat,discoveringatlastwhatshewantsandwhatsherejectsofhercompellingheritage.