Book: When The Apricots Bloom

Premise: Huda is an Iraqi woman working in the Australian Embassy in Bahgdad when she is approached by the secret police to inform on the Ambassadors wife, Ally. Huda wrestles with her own morals in her new position but as we become more familiar with everyday life in Iraq we see that she ultimately has no other options. We soon find out that Ally has secrets of her own and she becomes entangled with a former friend from Huda’s past, Rania . All three women find themselves in grave danger under Sadam’s regime.

Would I Recommend: Yes

Rating: 4.7/5

Additional Thoughts: This novel gave great insight into life in the early 2000’s in Iraq and a glimpse into its former “golden age” in the 70’s. I highly suggest reading the authors note in the novel as you will see her personal experience that inspired the novel. This book was a thriller, filled with suspense and yet it was beautifully written and showed themes of friendship and love. As the author mentions; at the very root of it, we are all more similar than one might think on the surface.

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