Gina Wilkinson writes a beautiful & riveting story of 3 women intertwined during the oppressive era of Saddam Hussein. In 1978, bestfriends Huda & Raina vow their loyalty and love for each other as blood sisters "closer than sisters of the womb". in 2002, both have not spoken for years, their friendship is of the past.
Wilkinson weaves the stories of these 3 women as they navigate Iraq during a dangerous regime with their different backgrounds, experiences, past and ideations. Huda has a son & is married to a man who can no longer provide for his family. She becomes the embassy secretary for Australia in order to make ends meet but is faced with resentment from her husband. Her story is launched when she is forced to become an informant for the secret police, the Mukhabarat by befriending Ally, the deputy ambassador's wife. Ally, who has secrets of her own has followed her husband to Australia. Raina, daughter of a wealthy sheik has studied in Britain & understand foreigners and Iraqis are not so different underneath. She has a daughter who she is trying to protect as well.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous & the story is captivating. I absolutely cannot wait to read more. This is likely to be a 5 star historical fiction.
Wilkinson weaves the stories of these 3 women as they navigate Iraq during a dangerous regime with their different backgrounds, experiences, past and ideations. Huda has a son & is married to a man who can no longer provide for his family. She becomes the embassy secretary for Australia in order to make ends meet but is faced with resentment from her husband. Her story is launched when she is forced to become an informant for the secret police, the Mukhabarat by befriending Ally, the deputy ambassador's wife. Ally, who has secrets of her own has followed her husband to Australia. Raina, daughter of a wealthy sheik has studied in Britain & understand foreigners and Iraqis are not so different underneath. She has a daughter who she is trying to protect as well.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous & the story is captivating. I absolutely cannot wait to read more. This is likely to be a 5 star historical fiction.