In this first novel published in English by a female Kurdish writer, Leila—a young Kurdish woman living in Iran—finds herself in grave danger when she launches a campaign to find her missing brother Chia, a political activist who follows in the footsteps of their father, who was tortured and imprisoned for his views.
Full of powerful writing and crushing violence that reflects the reality Kurds face every day, this novel is also a literary event that merits attention ... an evocative and brutally honest chronicle ... Homa is a talented storyteller who uses multilayered characters to present the struggles of many people—and she doesn’t mince words, especially when it comes to the way Kurdish women are treated ... At once a feminist text, a story of survival in the face of adversity and an exploration of cruelty through the eyes of those who are powerless, Daughters of Smoke and Fire is a superb narrative that marks the arrival of a new voice in contemporary fiction.
... a searing, heart rending, and heart breaking tale ... While this book is about a Kurdish family in Iran, the story could be about any minority living under the rule of an oppressive majority demanding their assimilation. Homa has created a story that's both personal and universal in its scope. Daughters of Smoke and Fire might break your heart, but its also a book of sublime beauty that will engrave itself into your memory for years to come.
... [a] stark and elucidating debut novel ... Homa’s remarkable novel serves as a potent and illuminating window into the persecution of the Kurds, which has existed for decades and continues unabated today.
