Daughters of Smoke and Fire is a difficult novel to write and to read. Why is it important for us to read untold stories? What did you gain from reading this novel in particular?

Daughters of Smoke and Fire opens a window into the challenging lives of a stateless people who have been robbed of their right to live, or to live in peace. It's a difficult novel to write and to read. Why is it important for us to read untold stories? What did you gain from reading this novel in particular?

Although difficult to read, I think it’s an essential book to read. I didn’t know anything about the plight of the Kurds, their lack of a homeland and their oppression and loathing by the natives of the countries they have been forced to live in. The treatment of women is especially cruel.

It always helps to nurture our empathy when we read about people and places outside of our own experience. The plight of the Kurds hasn't been written about very much (although Derek Miller's The Girl in Green does touch somewhat on the subject, so I learned a lot from it.

Most of the time, our knowledge or perception of Kurds comes from media. We don’t actually “walk” in anyone shoes when we read or see clips of news. This novel takes us away and puts us smack in the middle of all the conflict, what all the “Leilas” go through each and everyday. The hardships, the fighting for survival and what it means to be a woman not valued. Definitely changed my viewpoint and empathy for all of them living this life each and every day.

Reading about other cultures, and especially ones that are so different from ours, is often uncomfortable , but it is important for us to try to understand our differences, so that we can show empathy for others who may be oppressed and to also take a stand against actions that would be considered a "crime" where we come from. Stepping outside our comfort zone is always good for the soul, we need to have a view of what its like to walk in someone elses shoes, sometimes.

To understand people that are different then us in some way, we have to get to know them, to really see them and not just on the news. I agree with the statement: "Stepping outside our comfort zone is always good for the soul, we need to have a view of what its like to walk in someone elses shoes"

My wish would be for everyone to read/experience novels similar to this one. My hope is that by reading these stories we as a people would be more sympathetic and maybe just maybe we could live in a better world. Ignorance is dangerous.

The novel was an eye opener for me. I had no idea the Kurds were being treated so terribly. After finishing the book, I looked on the internet for information about the Kurds and was disappointed in how little has been written about what is happening to them. Most of what I read only briefly touched on the persecution they are experiencing.

I have always thought that traveling is the best way to open our eyes to what a very small piece of the puzzle we are in this world. Books are the next best thing. They both take you out of your comfort zone and expose you to different ways of thinking and living life and help garner empathy to other peoples plights, otherwise we get to wrapped into our own limited world views. It’s always a good thing to take a walk in someone else’s shoes, even for only a few hours.

I really knew little of the Kurds history, I had to look at maps to acquaint myself with their location. Like many other places where there is conflict, it turns out that they were never a country but a tribe or collection of like people with their own culture, customs, and language. The borders splitting them up were artificially drawn.

It's essential for us to read about other cultures. It broadens our understanding of the world and increases our empathy for people we may have nothing in common with. I am eternally curious about the world and other places and cultures...people's experiences are an intrinsic part of that wonder. This wasn't an easy read, but I am grateful to the author for baring her soul and pain as she did.

It is important to read stories of other cultures, struggles, challenges, as well as the good in them. We are then equipped to better understand current events, and how our own culture either supports or negates the circumstances. We become more aware of injustices, even in our own system, and learn of the courage and commitment it takes to attempt to right a wrong. Perhaps our empathy and actions can help to formulate solutions. I admire the bravery of the author.

I think it is important to read about other cultures in an effort to understand their actions. I may not always agree but I need to try to understand. Unless we know a bit about the history of the Kurdish people, we will not understand (or even perhaps care about) the oppression by Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

In my opinion, I think it is very important to read books about the various cultures around the world. This book "Daughters of Smoke and Fire" gave a very clear picture of the culture and beliefs of the Kurdish people. What I found most helpful was learning that their homeland was taken away and divided up between other countries. The Kurds then had no place to practice their culture in peace, they were considered intruders in all other lands. The novel didn't hold back in pointing out the cruelty practiced by their own. It clearly showed how women were treated in their own society.

This book gave a clear picture of the more recent history of the Kurds and what it is like to be a Kurdish refugee. It was an important insight into the struggles, discriminations and desires of the Kurdish people. I gained a good bit of knowledge and empathy with these people.