Heartstrings of the Khyber

Nineteen stories from the Pashto tradition.

A stunning collection of Pashto folktales, Heartstrings of the Khyber offers a comprehensive exploration of South and Central Asian cultural and literary heritage. Knowledgeable readers and novices alike can learn about the history and traditions of Pashto culture through medieval tales never before shared with the English-speaking literary world. By translating, transcribing, and compiling stories from the oral tradition, Shaherzaad Laila and Komal Salman have curated a critical resource for preserving Pashto customs and narratives.

Heartstrings of the Khyber features epics, fairy tales, and folk romances portraying Pashto culture through previously untranslated stories. Within this carefully curated collection, readers are able to explore themes of love, loss, longing, and honor throughout the cultural ethos of the Pashtuns. Laila and Salman have created an essential read for folklore appreciators and scholars alike.