Brilliantly layered and beautifully written, this PEN America finalist is both a searing character portrait and an incisive examination of Iranian history, which is at once moving and illuminating.
—The Independent Review of Books, Reviewer's Pick
A powerful and thought-provoking tale that delves into the intricate dynamics of love, politics, and the pursuit of personal identity...This exceptional story will ignite your imagination and touch your heart.
—The Midwest Book Review
An engrossing tale of a woman's quest for love in a world threatened by nuclear proliferation and a nation struggling with the aftermath of a bloody revolution. Deceptively easy to read...richly layered...a real gem.
—MAHBOD SERAJI, author of Rooftops of Tehran
A fascinating depiction of a period with far-reaching consequences in Iran's history. Evocative, moving and informative.
—JACQUIE BLOESE, author of The French House
Bjursten's HALF A CUP OF SAND AND SKY beautifully balances global risks with the stakes of a single woman's heart, imbuing both with compelling urgency.
—Anne Welsbacher, IndieReader
...enticing...thought-provoking...An emotional historical journey through the recent history of nuclear armament.
—Kirkus Reviews
Bjursten's prose is clear, polished, and touched with poetry and insight but never getting in the way of the heart of the story: a woman fighting for her family, love, and freedom from political injustice. Well-drawn characters and a tangible sense of living through history will grip readers...The final pages will bring tears.
—Publishers Weekly, Booklife Editor's Pick
A wise, beautiful novel featuring a woman facing the eternal challenge: how to create an authentic self. Amineh, our memorable heroine, emerges in a time of revolutionary change—with its hope, fears, and dangers—as well as usual gender expectations. Bjursten writes with subtlety about Amineh's conflicts, skillfully weaving her into her historical context. I adored this book.
—JOAN STEINAU LESTER, PEN Josephine-Miles Award winning author of Loving Before Loving: A Marriage in Black and White
From beautiful images of Iran, Sweden, and the UK, to heavily researched historical events, and to characters that are deeply human in their joys, mistakes, and dreams, Nadine Bjursten has written quite an exceptional book. This is a necessary story of maturity and resilience told from a perspective that is often overlooked by Western readers. Half a Cup of Sand and Sky will captivate folks of all genres and ages with its craft, vitality, and wisdom.
—Independent Book Review (starred review)
A captivating story that respects the complexity of Iran and its history and shines a light on the many courageous Iranians striving for democracy, human security, and freedom.
—TRITA PARSI, author of A Single Roll of the Dice and Losing an Enemy
A searing love story unfolds against the violent background of Iran's Islamic Revolution and the upheaval that followed...Persian tradition combines with Iranian modernity to shape a rich tapestry of history and emotion.
—STEPHEN KINZER, author of All the Shah's Men
Bjursten's storytelling is both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating, making it a must-read for lovers of literary fiction. This novel is a testament to the power of literature to transport readers to different times and places while exploring the universal themes of the human experience.
—Munir Muhammad, Readers' Favorite
Bjursten skillfully blends dialogue, internal monologue, and sensory details to convey the depths of Amineh's feelings and her experiences, both past and in the moments they are described, to develop her fully as a character we feel like we truly know, thereby showcasing the literary qualities that make the novel an excellent work of literary fiction...The prose is absolutely gorgeous.
—Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite
The story was beautifully paced...There were instances where this novel reminded me a great deal of Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie, especially the aspect where there appear to be two wars going on. The first is with the Iranian Revolution and the second is within Amineh...I also loved how Islam was represented in this book. We were not met with scenes of extreme violence as seen in the media. Instead, Bjursten has created moments between the characters that are relatable to everyone.
—Ammaarah Seboa, Readers' Favorite
