When the Apricots Bloom

By: Gina Wilkinson

Narrated by: Raghad Chaar

Inspired by her own experiences stationed in Baghdad during Saddam Hussein's rule, former foreign correspondent Gina Wilkinson's evocative, suspenseful debut is told through the eyes of three very different women in Iraq at the turn of the millennium.

At night, in Huda's fragrant garden, a breeze sweeps in from the desert encircling Baghdad, rustling the leaves of her apricot trees and carrying warning of visitors at her gate. Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the Mukhabarat - the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador's wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenage son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.

Huda's former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family's wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women's lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.

©2021 Gina Wilkinson (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

well narrated, I just had a hard time getting into

I'm not sure why I had a hard time getting into this book. I t was definitely well narrated.

The relationships

Amazing work to capture the relationships of the women who were trying to survive in such a terrible culture.

Friendship amid terrorism

An excellent portrait of the impact of terrorism on trust and friendship. The manipulation and suspension that permiated Iraq was chilling. Particularly striking was the innocence of the Australian who came from a much more open and trusting culture.

The performance was very good.

A mother’s love is endless

This book was exceptionally good! A story of two young girls from different places who bond as sisters. As they grow older, and not in contact with each other for many reasons; their paths cross. Their bond is reunited when they determine the best future for their kids is to get them out of Iraq and devise a plan.

Interesting Historical Fiction

Read this book for our local book club, and enjoyed it to the end. It gives an interesting glimpse into the interwoven lives of three women in Iraq during the reign of Saddam Hussein. The author focuses on the strength of mothers while giving glimpses into the horrors that happened during this time.