Atiq Rahimi
The Patience Stone
Originally published in French as Syngué sabour
Translated by Polly McLean.
The Koran translated by N. J. Dawood (Penguin Classics 1956, Fifth revised edition 1990).
THIS TALE, WRITTEN IN MEMORY OF N.A.
– AN AFGHAN POET SAVAGELY MURDERED BY
HER HUSBAND-IS DEDICATED TO M.D.
From the body by the body with the body
Since the body and until the body.
ANTONIN ARTAUD
introduction
BY KHALED HOSSEINI
It is a vexing fact that women are the most beleaguered members of Afghan society. Long before the arrival of the Taliban, Afghan women struggled for basic rights. Outside of a few urban pockets, the ironclad rule of patriarchal, tribal law has long denied women their right to work, education, adequate health care, and personal independence-all of this made infinitely worse by three decades of war, displacement, and anarchy. Though there have been some improvements in recent years, far too many women continue to languish under the unquestioned, absolute domination of tribal customs that deprive them of meaningful participation in societal life. For far too long, Afghan women have been faceless and voiceless.