“Though there were moments of beauty, Mariam knew for the most part that life had been unkind to her.”
Dark hair, dark skin and a long face
Quiet and thoughtful
Nana
Laila
Nana possesses no outstanding traits
“It’s our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. Do you understand?”
Bitter and unhappy
Fariba
Jalil
For the first time, Mariam could hear [Jalil] with Nana’s ears. She could hear so clearly now the insincerity that had always lurked beneath, the hollow, false assurances
Handsome, loving and selfish
A fairly wealthy business man
Where I come from, one wrong look, one improper word, and blood is spilled. Where I come from, a woman's face is her husband's business only. I want you to remember that. Do you understand?”
Thick beard, Yellow fingernails, Broad build
Widowed shoemaker
“Tell your secret to the wind, but don’t blame it for telling the trees.”
Green eyes, blonde hair and high cheek bones
Idealism and independence
it was hard to feel, really feel, Mammy’s loss. Hard to summon sorrow, to grieve the deaths of people Laila had never really thought of as alive in the first place. Ahmad and Noor had always been like lore to her. Like characters in a fable. Kings in a history book.
Swift mod changed depending on the day
Originally a happy and joyful woman but as Laila was growing up Fariba became increasingly depressed