When the Moon Is Low Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Afghan Women's Writing Project and our BookBrowse Review of When the Moon Is Low.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

Introduction

The unforgettable story of an Afghan family's escape from the Taliban and perilous trek across Europe to seek asylum, led by one extraordinarily courageous woman. This is the second novel by Nadia Hashimi, the author of 2014's breakout novel, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell.

Questions for Discussion

1. Fereiba describes herself as "an outsider in my father's home" as a child, and then becomes a literal outsider as a refugee. What do you think the author is trying to say about being an outsider? Is there anything positive to be gained from having an outsider's perspective and experience? Who are the outsiders in your family or society?
2. What do you make of KokoGul? Is she the classic "wicked stepmother", or are there more layers to her? What do you think she was like at Fereiba's age? What motivates her most as a wife and mother?
3. In hindsight, knowing what happened, did Fereiba make the right decision to leave Kabul? Was she right to press on towards London without Saleem? What would you have done in her situation?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of William Morrow Paperbacks. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.