These twelve short stories dive deep into imaginary worlds where everyday life is marked and marred by war. They speak of wounded love, captured women, confinement, talismans, borders, wolves. They give expression to the voices of Afghan women who would like to change the fate of people like Nâzboo, Khorshid, Hamid and so many others.

Originally published by Éditions Le Soupirail in 2019, this collection was the first volume of short stories by Afghan women to appear in France. This edition from Inanna Publications brings these stories—and their unique perspectives—to English-speaking readers for the first time. The collection includes stories by Wasima Badghisi, Batool Haidari, Alia Ataee, Sedighe Kazemi, Khaleda Khorsand, Masouma Kawsari, Mariam Mahboob, Toorpekai Qayum, Manizha Bakhtari, Homeira Qaderi, Parween Pazhwak and Homayra Rafat.

Elaine Kennedy studied English literature, French language, and translation in North America and Europe. She has worked as a translator in the academic and cultural sectors. The 2014 3Macs carte blanche Prize co-winner and a 2019 Toronto Book Award finalist, she presently focuses on literary translation. She lives in Victoria, BC.

Elaine Kennedy's profile page

• Short-listed, Interntaonal Book Awards - Multicultural Fiction

“When you finish Under a Kabul Sky, you’re haunted by the spellbinding sound of the wounded voices of these Afghan women."
—Guillaume Richez, Les Imposteurs