504 Results in the "Historical Fiction" category


    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin finds herself in a deep and reflective conversation with her Grandma, sitting by the serene banks of the River Tigris in 2014. This moment between the two women becomes a space for exploration, as they discuss the cultural myths that have shaped their identity and the isolation that often comes with adhering to these ancient beliefs. Grandma opens up about a painful memory of her younger brother being shunned by their community due to the prejudices and stereotypes tied to their cultural roots. As…
    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin and her Grandma had settled into a quiet routine by the River Tigris in 2014, finding peace in nature after their move to Zêrav to stay with relatives. The pair often sought solace by sitting on a large rock near the river, reflecting on the surroundings that had once been filled with life and prosperity. The area, once home to bustling eateries with the aroma of grilled fish, particularly masgouf, now appeared desolate, with buildings decaying and forgotten. Narin, as per her religious beliefs,…
    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin awakens to a devastating sight in the village of Zêrav—a sight that marks the beginning of an unthinkable nightmare. The sacred water sources that her people have relied on for generations have been poisoned overnight. Thousands of bags filled with pesticides and other harmful substances litter the landscape, making the water undrinkable and leaving the villagers without access to essential resources. Desperation sets in as several men from the village head to a nearby Yazidi settlement in search…
    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin is caught in a desperate struggle for survival in the harsh landscape surrounding Sinjar Mountain, an area deeply sacred to the Yazidi people. The mountain, long considered a living entity in ancient Mesopotamian culture, is more than just a physical feature to the Yazidis; it is a symbol of their connection to the divine and their refuge from danger. The belief in the mountain’s sacredness stems from its role as a bridge between earth and the heavens, a place of shelter during times of great…
    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin’s journey takes a dark and painful turn in 2014, as she is forcefully taken from her home and transported along with other women and children in a truck heading toward Mosul. Overcome by an overwhelming sense of fear, helplessness, and confusion, Narin finds herself struggling to cope with the chaotic and brutal situation unfolding around her. However, as they journey through unfamiliar lands, memories of her grandmother’s teachings about wild herbs begin to surface, offering her a brief but…
    • H: NARIN: By the River Tigris, 2014 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Narin resides in a dilapidated cinderblock house beside the River Tigris in 2014, a place of despair where her daily life is steeped in violence and suffering. The militant group surrounding her has just suffered a major defeat, and their frustration is palpable. Among the chaos, Narin serves the commanders and their fellow militants, performing menial tasks like scrubbing pots while a palpable sense of frustration hangs in the air. Her thoughts are interrupted by the abuse of two newly acquired Yazidi…
    • Chapter

      Girlie

      Girlie Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter follows Girlie, a young domestic worker, as she navigates her daily responsibilities for her employers, Madam and Oga. Sent to the market three times a week, she purchases household items, groceries, and baby supplies, adapting to their preferences while masking her exhaustion. Girlie reflects on the disparities between her employers' affluent lifestyle and her own humble background in Akko, a village far removed from their polished neighborhood. Her observations highlight the invisible labor…
    • Story

      Ghostroots

      Ghostroots Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin “Ghostroots” by ‘Pemi Aguda is a debut short story collection set in Lagos, Nigeria, blending the mundane with the supernatural. The twelve stories explore themes of inheritance, maternal lineage, and haunting legacies, often focusing on women grappling with familial and societal burdens. Aguda’s prose weaves unsettling yet deeply human narratives, where everyday life intersects with spectral presences. Notable stories include “Breastmilk,” which delves into…
    • Epilogue: The Call Out Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Epilogue: The Call Out begins with two young Jewish brothers, Hirshel and Yigel Koffler, adjusting to a foreign land that challenged every part of their identity—language, food, customs. Six weeks into their American experience, they found themselves working the rails of Pennsylvania, immersed in a landscape of smoke, sweat, and steel. Though fresh to the country, they were quickly drawn into something far larger than a job—something that echoed the underground currents of kindness that shaped…
    • Epilogue: The Call Out Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In the epilogue of The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, the Koffler brothers, Hirshel and Yigel, find themselves adjusting to their new life in America. As Jewish refugees from Austria, their fresh start is marked by their work as brakemen on the Pennsylvania Railroad’s freight train, the Tanker Toad, which transports coal from Berwyn to the Pennhurst hospital. The year is 1936, and on Memorial Day weekend, they encounter a perplexing scene. A tall, lanky African American man holds a crying child in…
    Note