A thought-provoking analysis of the systematic injustice practiced against women within and by the judicial system in Afghanistan especially in rural areas where mob justice and tradition hold more weight than constitutional laws. It addresses the defective penal code especially when coupled with biased human components that may disregard a suspect's basic rights in favour of vague social constructs like morality and honour on the occasion of said suspect being a woman accused of the blanket term of immorality. The book also calls out both the system and the community who upholds it for its double standards and inadequacy when turning a blind eye to actual religious and legal transgressions but going out and beyond in punishing a woman or even a child for something as friable as a rumour which is, while endlessly absurd and heartbreaking, a rather common theme in MENA societies as well and it satisfies me to see that particular piece of hypocrisy addressed.

A House Without Windows is a timely and crucial read; Nadia Hashimi did a spectacular job of shedding light on an issue of such a large scale all while gracefully maintaining the human aspect and the narrative's relatability: I loved how each and every one of the characters were portrayed as flawed humans with limited strengths and ability to comprehend. I have particularly enjoyed the fact that Yusuf, Zeba's lawyer, was equally imperfect and has not fallen into the Foreign Saviour trope. I also loved that Zeba herself was quite complex and not your conventional victim.

All in all, an informative and most enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.