Her beauty was the talk of the valley.It skipped two generations of women in our family, but it sure didn't bypass you, Laila.

People in the countryside carry a sense of dignity. They wear it, don't they? Like a badge? I'm being genuine.

For a novelist, it’s kind of an onerous burden to represent an entire culture. That said, I’m in a unique position to speak on behalf of Afghanistan on certain issues that I feel are important, particularly the issue of Afghan refugees.

I have a theory about marriage, Monsieur Boustouler. And it’s that nearly always you will know within two weeks if it’s going to work. It’s astonishing how many people remain shackled for years, decades even, in a protracted and mutual state of self-delusion and false hope when in fact they had their answer in those first two weeks.

Her impulse, her need, to be the corrector of injustices, warden of the downtrodden flock. And

Though there were moments of beauty, Mariam knew for the most part that life had been unkind to her.

You have think tanks like the widely respected Atlantic Council that have published reports in the past year that have called Afghanistan a failing state.