Book SummaryThe Broken Circle, by Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Broken Circle

The author's origins and the circumstances that existed in Afghanistan prior to the onset of the conflict.

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller vividly contrasts her recollections of a peaceful and idyllic Afghanistan with the turmoil and devastation that followed the Soviet invasion. She recounts with vivid detail her early years in a Kabul household where tradition and modernity merged without friction, prior to the onset of war. The author's family history, steeped in conflict, contributed to the chaos and upheaval she experienced, offering crucial understanding for her narrative.

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller's childhood was marked by a life of affluence and prosperity in the city of Kabul, within the borders of Afghanistan.

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller looks back with affection on her childhood spent in Kabul, reflecting on a period filled with happiness. She took great pleasure in the prosperity and warmth of her family's residence, along with the comforting traditions and joy discovered in communal gatherings. Her memories from that period vividly depict the affluence of their home, the success of her father's business endeavors, and the fashionable lifestyles her brothers and sisters adopted.

The author's family lived in the upscale neighborhood of Karte Seh, where they had a home that was both large and tastefully decorated.

The author's family home, located in a Kabul neighborhood indicative of their affluence and high social status, stood as a testament to their prosperity and position in society. The home boasted ample indoor areas with multiple sitting rooms, a sophisticated area designated for dining, expansive living quarters furnished with luxurious Italian pieces, and separate quarters for the household staff. Their home featured elegant lighting suspended from the ceiling and boasted a fully furnished kitchen in which their loyal chef, Noor, prepared lavish meals. The expansive grounds boasted amenities for badminton, a children's play area, and over an acre for cultivating a variety of fruit trees, all surrounded by a high barrier constructed with white stucco. It provided a sanctuary of ease and privilege.

Abdullah, who possessed a diverse array of talents spanning business acumen, engineering proficiency, and poetic flair, often hosted events for diplomats and officials.

Abdullah, the father of Ahmadi-Miller, embodied a mix of traditional and modern traits typical of the cultural milieu within the Afghan borders. He achieved financial success by engaging in business ventures, possessing multiple real estate assets, and jointly holding farmland with his brother. He was multilingual and employed in the role of a communications engineer at the American embassy. Abdullah's commitment was not limited to his professional achievements; he was also a devoted family man with a profound passion for poetry. He instilled in his offspring a profound respect for Afghanistan's customs and a strong feeling of familial bond. His social network was extensive, encompassing high-ranking government officials and representatives from multiple embassies. He often threw extravagant gatherings at their residence, which displayed their wealth and helped assimilate the family into Kabul's most prestigious social groups.

The writer's...

The Broken Circle Summary The author and her family were profoundly affected by the repercussions of conflict, their imperative flight from their residence, and the challenges they faced in seeking refuge.

The Soviet invasion in 1979 shattered the author's tranquil early existence, propelling her family into a struggle to endure. Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller recounts their harrowing journey, the extreme hardships they encounter, and the profound impact that war and displacement have on their lives.

As the Soviet-backed government fell apart, the author's family had no choice but to escape from Kabul.

The rise of the regime backed by the Soviets resulted in increased political chaos and purges, forcing Ahmadi-Miller's family to abandon their once secure life in Kabul and seek refuge elsewhere. The author vividly portrays the city shrouded in an aura of dread and unpredictability, compelling her family to embark on a perilous voyage as a reaction to the incursion of armored military vehicles from the Soviet Union.

The author witnessed the chaos that unfolded in Kabul following the arrival of Soviet armored vehicles.

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller shares her personal experiences of the Soviet incursion, which abruptly terminated her tranquil early years. She vividly describes how a long line of dark green Soviet tanks rolled down her street, with grim-faced soldiers brandishing their...

The Broken Circle Summary The family struggled to come together and establish a new life in a strange country.

The author narrates the challenges and trepidations of a family fragmented due to conflict and turmoil, underscoring their determination to create a fresh foundation of stability and a place they can unequivocally consider their home. The extended duration of separation from her mother, along with the challenges of obtaining travel documents, underscores the bureaucratic hurdles that refugees face when attempting to begin anew.

The author's family resided in India for several years, her father being the only exception.

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller illustrates the harsh truth of war's impact on separating families. Before the Soviet invasion began, Miriam, the author's mother, went to India accompanied by her youngest offspring, Shapairi and Vida, in pursuit of medical care. Meanwhile, Abdullah stays in the urban area alongside his siblings, nurturing the hope that their situation will improve. The intensification of conflict resulted in a prolonged period of separation for Ahmadi-Miller and her siblings, which necessitated their departure from Kabul to eventually reunite with their father in Pakistan.

The author and her siblings went through periods filled with stress and...