Sparks Like Stars

I’m so late to the party when it comes to reading this book, and I’m kicking myself for not reading it the first day it came out. Sparks Like Stars lives up to the hype and more. This is a bold, compelling and emotional story that will stay with me the rest of my life, and I cannot recommend it enough.

There wasn’t a part of this story that I didn’t love, but I especially loved the culture and atmosphere brought to life as I read about Afghanistan in the late 1970s. I learned so much about people, places, and events that I was not previously familiar with. Like many Americans, I only know of Afghanistan because of 9/11, when the country was thrust tragically and unwillingly into the spotlight, and this moving story taught me about a history and culture that is both beautiful and conflicted.

The characters were all realistically rendered, even those appearing briefly, but it is the main protagonist Sitara (later renamed Aryana), whose journey we follow starting when she is 10 years old and then later in adulthood, who truly captured my heart. Her experiences and everything she went through were so heartfelt and made for a powerful and emotional read from beginning to end. She is an unforgettable character, and I found myself connected to her from the first page.

I alternated between the audio and reading, but the majority of the story I listened to on audio. Given its page count (464 pages) and difficult subject matter, you would not think that this wouldn’t be a quick read, but as soon as I started reading, I knew it was a story I could not put down. Hence, me listening to the audio when I didn’t have time to read. Mozhan Marno did an amazing job narrating and her inflections and character differentiations brought so much more life and emotion to the story.

Overall, this is a haunting story about grief, loss, survival, hope, and found family. It is an absolute must read for all.