Online Session Critiques Hamid Homayoun Ebadi's Novel 'Shishek'

The novel 'Shishek' by Hamid Homayoun Ebadi was reviewed in an online session attended by writers, critics and cultural activists. Published by the Asmayi Cultural Center in 324 pages and described by the author as 'ethereal realism,' the book focuses on the life of a girl named Shapiri, who flees after the killing of her father and brother and receives help from a man named Abasin, leading to improved circumstances.

Critics offered varied perspectives. Payam Latif Nazemi, a poet and former university professor, noted that more than one-third of the story consists of romance, with the rest comprising dialogues and diverse narratives. Payam Masoud Rahil, whose comments were read by Sulaiman Qiyomi, described 'Shishek' as a profound narrative of human thrownness into the horrors of war and efforts to reclaim identity, calling it one of the most prominent works of contemporary Afghan literature.

Saeed Shinwari analyzed the structure, language and narrative art, stating the novel reflects history, society and spiritual changes amid social transformations. Farideh Faryad, a literature and gender researcher, praised strengths but highlighted lingering patriarchal views influenced by classical literature traditions, particularly critiquing the title 'Shishek' for its connotations of violence, humiliation and dehumanization toward a taboo-breaking female protagonist like Shapiri.

Nahid Alumi examined artistic and social aspects, commending the bilingual Pashto-Dari writing, termed 'lion and sugar writing,' as avoiding linguistic bias. Ghazaleh Afat, a cultural and social activist, called the book fluid and emphasized its message that mutual respect and understanding outweigh love, especially relevant for Afghan women and girls. Khangeh Seddiqi, a women's rights activist, assessed gender roles through three lenses: the body under violence, as a social contract and as autonomous, viewing the woman's right to choose over her body as the story's greatest taboo-breaking element.

Abdulghafur Liwal provided historical and mystical analysis, discussing symbols, imagery and literary devices reflecting Buddhist and Islamic mysticism, joking that explaining them all would require a book larger than 'Shishek.' The author concluded that writers must produce works and endure even the harshest critiques.