My initial impresion of this book was incredibly high. The almost taboo idea of casting Middle Eastern people as actual humans with actual stories is a rarity for most Americans these days. The cast of women come off well-rounded and relatable, but I am concerned with with the idea of a white woman writing the voices of Iraqi women. I know the author lived there for a year as a reporter, and you can see the reflections of herself in the white character, but I am uncertain of how all this will translate to the other characters. I hope my concerns have no footing, because this seems like a tremendous story from a period in history not often talked about.