In what he says is the first study of Afghanistani women's literature in any language, Bezhan focuses on the narrative works of Maryam Mahboob, which represent Afghanistani women of different social positions expressing their oppression, suffering, rebellion, empowerment, and need for change. The stories portray ordinary women who, under severe socio-political and cultural pressure eventually rebel, he says; some achieve freedom and others do not. She has produced most of her work in exile, and now lives in Canada. He covers literature, politics, and women; Afghanistani society and women's issues; Maryam Mahboob and her short stories; war and the radicalization of Afghanistani society; and exile, gender, and identity. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
