Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Chinghiz Aimatov
Translator: James Riordan
Year published: 1958
TWs: Death
Rating: 3.5/5
Although I’ve never been to Kyrgyzstan before, its beautiful landscapes and rich culture have always intrigued me. When I came across ‘Jamilia’ by Chinghiz Aimatov, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to discover a little bit of the country from my home itself. It gives a small insight into the lives and culture of the Kyrgyz people, making you feel like you’ve already been to this fascinating country.
“I was trembling with unexplained fear and happiness for something unknown.”
Synopsis (spoiler-free, always)
This novel follows the story of a young woman named (you guessed it) Jamilia, from the point of view of her brother-in-law, Seit. Jamilia lives a simple life in a village on the Kyrgyz steppes with her in-laws, while her husband fights on the front lines of World War II.
When Daniyar, a mysterious stranger who was injured in the war, returns to their village, her seemingly mundane life is changed forever. As the two grow closer, Jamilia finds herself falling for Daniyar however the reality of war and cultural norms make their relationship anything but simple.
“For the first time I felt inside me the awakening of something new, something I couldn’t even name yet, but it was something irresistible”
My Thoughts
This book was a very short read, but it managed to pack an incredible amount of depth into its 96 pages. The plot itself is relatively simple, revolving around the lives of Jamilia, Daniyar, and Seit. But Aitmatov’s writing truly brings the story to life. His writing is both simple and lyrical, which had me hooked from the start.
The setting of rural Kyrgyzstan during World War II was especially intersting. While I’ve read many books set in wartime, the depiction of life in the Kyrgyz steppes was uniquely fascinating. Aitmatov’s descriptions of the landscape including he vast steppes, the horses roaming freely, and the modest huts were so vivid that I could easily visualize them in my mind.
My favourite part was romance (it’s forbidden, how could it not?). Their relationship grew incredibly organically from their chance encounter all the way to the end of the book, never feeling forced or rushed. Their conflicting personalities were also so much fun to see with Jamilia being lively and energetic while Daniyar was more the silent, brooding type (team Stefan, anyone?).
So, if you’re looking for a short read filled with forbidden love and resilience, this book is definitely for you!
Happy Reading!
About the Author
Chinghiz Aimatov was one of the most well-known authors of Kyrgyz literature, writing in both Russian and Kyrgyz. He studied at he Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow. In 1963, he was awarded the Lenin Prize for ‘Jamilia’
Some of his other works include:
- The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years
- Farewell, Gulsary!
- Face to Face
Find more on his Goodreads page!
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