Half a Cup of Sand and Sky

A Novel

De: Nadine Bjursten

Narrado por: Marzi Nikka

It is 1977, and the anti-shah protests at Tehran University are intensifying, but Amineh is not like her peers who want a say in the future of their country. Her thoughts are on the beautiful literature of another era and her past of rose harvests and Sufi poetry evenings under the desert sky.

A chance encounter with Farzad, an opposition leader and disarmament activist, will thrust her into a life she didn't ask for and didn't want. Nobody wanted the tyranny that is quickly turning worse than the tyranny it replaced. But maybe Amineh has been looking at her life all wrong.

Maybe the thing she is seeking is not in the past at all.

©2023 Nadine Bjursten (P)2024 Nadine Bjursten

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Bjursten immerses readers in a life, a nation, and an era. . ." Publishers Weekly, Editor's Pick

"Brilliantly layered and beautifully written, this PEN America finalist is both a searing character portrait and an incisive examination of Iranian history, which is at once moving and illuminating." The Independent Review of Books, Reviewers Pick

"Amina's Journey: A Tale of Love, Culture, and Resilience"

The story is profoundly compelling, and Nadine Bjursten’s portrayal is both distinctive and beautifully simple, making it effortlessly accessible to all audiences, even those unfamiliar with Persian or Iranian culture, cuisine, and traditions. It unfolds like a journey through life, capturing the essence of its characters and their experiences in the aftermath of Iran’s revolution—a time that reshaped countless lives—without casting blame or villainizing anyone. Every chapter felt like a gift, allowing me to spend a week alongside Amina and her story. I doubt reading the book would have brought me the same joy as listening to Marzi Nikkhah’s exquisite narration.

Marzi’s performance is a masterpiece. The way she navigates the story, her delivery imbued with care and nuance, is like adding the perfect spice to an already vibrant dish. It’s as though she crafted an impeccable recipe, one that listeners like me will cherish deeply. There were moments when I laughed, smiled, and even cried—a rare occurrence for someone who believed they had forgotten how. This book transported me thousands of miles to Iran, where I felt Amina’s pain, smelled the aroma of her cooking, and heard the playful sounds of her children.

Nadine’s depiction of a culture she does not belong to is nothing short of remarkable. Her observations are so profound that it feels as if she might have been Persian in another life. Paired with Marzi Nikkhah’s soothing, silken voice, the narration becomes utterly immersive, making you wish the story would never end. My heartfelt thanks to Nadine and Amina for crafting a tale that begins and ends with such grace. And to Marzi, my gratitude for introducing a refreshing and brilliant approach to audiobook narration. Having listened to countless audiobooks over the years, I can confidently say that Marzi’s performance stands apart for its unparalleled emotional depth, delivered with restraint and mastery—a testament to her extraordinary talent as a storyteller.