Plot summary, “A Fort of Nine Towers” by Qais Akbar Omar in 4 Minutes - Book Review

A Fort of Nine Towers (2013) is the memoir of Afghan-American writer Qais Akbar Omar, which recounts his childhood in Afghanistan during the civil war and Taliban insurgency between 1992 and 2001. Through vivid memories, Omar depicts life before the rise of the Taliban and the brutal Mujahideen, who initially promised to free Afghanistan but instead brought violence and chaos. The story follows Omar’s family as they navigate a city torn apart by conflict, eventually finding refuge in the mountainous Fort of Nine Towers. The memoir humanizes the Afghan experience, challenging negative geopolitical narratives and offering a hopeful vision of Afghanistan's future despite its many struggles.